Maintenance That Can Increase Fuel Mileage on Your Vehicle

It’s easy for Wisconsin drivers to increase vehicle fuel mileage by incorporating sensible driving habits and sticking to a routine car maintenance schedule at Russ Darrow. However, if you really want to maximize your dollars at the gas pump, people tend to overlook a few lesser-known maintenance tips.

With today’s unstable gas prices, maximizing fuel efficiency is more important than ever. Getting better gas mileage doesn’t mean getting a complete overhaul. Simple, consistent maintenance can make a surprising difference. You can help increase fuel mileage by using the right motor oil in your car, truck, or SUV and sticking to routine oil change schedules. There are manufacturer specifics for the type of oil and grade that the Russ Darrow technicians are trained to use. Using the proper oil can help increase car efficiency. Also, try not to be a speed demon on the highway or driving through city streets. Vehicles get better fuel economy on highways over city driving, but not as much as you think. Gas mileage decreases significantly once a car hits 50 mph, and each additional five mph is comparable to paying an extra $0.31 per gallon of gas and driving between five and 10 mph slower than you typically would equate to a 7% to 14% savings in fuel economy. If you drive every day, that’s huge savings over time.

Tire pressure is a massive culprit in vehicles using more gas. Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and burn more gas. Regularly checking and maintaining proper tire pressure is the easiest and most impactful way to improve gas mileage. Tires lose pressure naturally due to environmental factors and regular use, and it’s estimated that they waste about 1.2 billion gallons of gas every year, so it’s essential to check them regularly. The Russ Darrow technicians can check your tire pressure anytime you think they might be running low. When your tires are in top shape, you save at the pump. One maintenance tip that can increase fuel mileage most drivers would never think of is to check the gas cap. Something as simple as your gas cap can impact the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. The rubber seal can break down, making the cap not fit right. This might allow oxygen to get into the gas tank. Any air in the gas tank will pull gasoline from the tank, making the engine burn more gasoline.

Another maintenance that can increase your fuel efficiency is to have your engine air filters checked and replaced if necessary. A clogged air filter limits airflow to the engine, hindering combustion and decreasing efficiency. If you live in a dusty area of the state, consider changing your air filter more frequently. Often, a quick visual check by the Russ Darrow technicians is a good way to see if the air filter is dirty and needs changing or cleaning. When you need parts replaced, rest assured we only use OEM parts so the fit is perfect, and you can be confident they work as they should for your make and model. More maintenance that can increase fule efficiency is to check your spark plugs per manufacturer recommendations. Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders. Worn or degraded spark plugs can lead to misfires, incomplete combustion, and decreased fuel economy. A tune-up can address issues impacting fuel economies like faulty sensors, dirty fuel injectors, or vacuum leaks, all of which make your car run harder and use more fuel. Stick to routine maintenance and slow down, and you can significantly improve your fuel economy, save money on gas, and contribute to a cleaner environment. Visit Russ Darrow for all your vehicle maintenance needs!