How to Improve Gas Mileage With Routine Maintenance

Gas mileage and fuel economy are important to Newark drivers for many reasons. Primarily, gas isn’t cheap and the price probably isn’t going down any time soon. Plus, you want to get the most out of your new or pre-owned vehicle’s gas tank when commuting between Middletown and West Chester, PA. Continue reading to learn how to improve fuel economy with vehicle maintenance from the team at Land Rover Wilmington.

Optimize Fuel Economy With These Regular Maintenance Tips

Keep your tires inflated at the right pressure. Over- or under-inflated tires can mean less-than-ideal traction on roads, which can lead to more fuel consumption going between Rehoboth Beach and Wilmington. If your tires are under-inflated by 30%, you could lose 7% in gas mileage. That adds up over time. Look at your tire pressure at least once a month.

Change the air filter at the right interval. Your vehicle’s manufacturer may suggest changing the air filter every 10,000 to 25,000 miles. They are very easy to change out and don’t cost very much. Yet dirty air in the engine can cost you plenty at the gas pump.

Change spark plugs after 75,000 miles. Your vehicle’s spark plugs are typically rated for 100,000 miles. However, they could become inefficient after 75,000 miles. Spark plugs regulate the explosions in the ignition chamber of each piston. If a spark plug is off, it could cause reduced fuel efficiency because the explosion in the piston chamber isn’t as efficient as it could be. Change your spark plugs at the three-fourths point of their suggested replacement to avoid a dip in gas mileage. Having a regular tune-up can solve this problem.

Rotate the tires. Tire rotations should happen every time you change your engine oil. The reason is that tires usually wear unevenly, and uneven wear can lead to worse fuel economy because of the extra effort your engine has to have to reach certain speeds.

Align the wheels. Similar to tire rotations, if your vehicle’s wheel alignment is off it can cause the engine to work harder. Your wheel alignment is off if your car veers slightly to the right or left as your steering wheel stays straight. Your vehicle mechanic can align the wheels properly for the best ride possible.

Replace the oil when needed. Modern cars have an oil management system. Replace the oil before the maximum mileage is reached to ensure the pistons stay lubricated properly. Poor lubrication can cause too much friction, which will wear out the pistons faster and cause major repairs. Bad piston movement makes the transmission inefficient, and it will reduce the fuel economy of your vehicle.

Clean your fuel injectors. We recommend having your fuel injectors cleaned every 30,000 miles. Carbon gradually builds up on the injectors over time, and it can cause less atomized fuel to get into the piston chamber, causing the explosion that forces the pistons downward to deliver less power. Dirty injectors are probably the number one cause of bad gas mileage.

Improve Fuel Economy With Better Driving Habits

The best way to improve fuel economy in Wilmington is to slow down. Follow the speed limit or drive 5 mph under it to save on your gas.

Lighten your cargo load. Driving with 100 few pounds in the car can improve your fuel economy. Also, things like bike racks and cargo racks can reduce the aerodynamics of your vehicle, causing more drag. The drag from the wind makes your car’s engine work harder to go faster.

Many modern vehicles have an idle mode when you’re at stop lights or restaurant drive-through windows. Reducing your idle time can save anywhere from 20 to 75% of a gallon of gas in an hour.

Get Regular Vehicle Maintenance at Land Rover Wilmington!

Contact us or call (302) 992-9400 to schedule your next maintenance with us. Want to save money? Check out our service specials. Need more information? Read our service tips to find out what else you can do to get the most out of your vehicle in Newark. We’re happy to help in any way we can!