Get Your Mpg Up With These 4 Simple Vehicle Maintenance Tips

Perhaps the cornerstone of most of the car community is finding ways to increase their vehicle’s mpg. Mpg (miles per gallon) or mileage is the distance you can travel on one gallon of fuel, and it is a common measurement of fuel economy. 

But did you know that getting your mpg higher doesn’t only do your wallet a favour but also the environment? Fuel-efficient cars help reduce smog by 50%; the more efficient your vehicle is, the less fuel it will consume and pollute less. 

With increasing gas prices, people have been trying various ways to get more miles out of their standard gas fill. 

Therefore, the experts at Auffenberg Chevrolet Buick GM have compiled four simple vehicle maintenance tips so you can get the most out of your fuel tank. 

Tire Pressure 

The pressure of your car’s tires plays a very important role in the mileage of your car. If tires are perfectly inflated, your vehicle rolls perfectly too, but on under-inflated tires, your car drags and consumes more fuel. 

Under-inflated tires can lower your gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Therefore, you can improve your gas mileage greatly by keeping your tires inflated at the proper pressure. 

Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted a study on tire pressure and its effects on fuel economy. They found out that under-inflated tires not only waste fuel but also pose a serious safety risk. 

Your car company recommends how much the tire pressure on your car should be, which is probably either in your driver’s manual or pasted on the inside of the door jamb. Generally, a reading between 32 and 35 psi is considered good. 

On the other hand, over-inflated tires aren’t good, either. Over-inflated tires will wear down faster, especially down the middle of the tire. 

So keeping your tire pressure perfect will get your mpg up and save your wallet as well as your life. If you require tire service, feel free to contact Auffenberg Farmington Tire Service. Our Certified Tire Service experts will help you with your Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC vehicle for the perfect tire pressure. 

Air Filter 

A car’s air filter filters the air that goes into the engine and mixes with the fuel. The more the filter clogs up, the more the engine has to work to get air, consequently consuming more fuel. 

To check if your air filter needs a replacement, you need to locate it first. Pop the hood of your car open and look for a rectangular box towards the engine’s right. This is a plastic casing called filter housing. Open the filter housing and unscrew the filter. Be careful not to damage it with the screwdriver. 

Once unscrewed, hold the filter up to see if any light is passing through. Your filter may be filled with dust and debris, but don’t worry; a filter is pretty easy to clean. Just hold a vacuum cleaner over it, and it will remove all the debris clogging the filter. 

However, if your filter is torn or has holes, the chances are that it needs replacement. Cleaning or changing your air filter will instantly increase mpg by 10%. 

Spark Plugs 

Spark plugs are a vital element in starting your engine; these produce a spark that ignites and kicks off combustion in the engine. Unfortunately, after some time, these begin to go bad and start to misfire, and one of the symptoms of this happening is having to fill up your tank more often. 

Another way you’ll know if your spark plugs need replacing is if the “check engine” light comes on. 

Worn spark plugs decrease fuel economy by as much as 30%. Replacing these spark plugs will greatly increase mpg and make your car fuel efficient. 

Alignment 

Most people understand that good tires are important for fuel economy but what they don’t understand is that the health of a car’s tires is directly related to its alignment. 

If your car isn’t aligned, all four tires won’t work in a cohesive unit, consequently causing tire wear and making your vehicle drag, which weighs down on your fuel tank. 

Another key to getting the most out of your fuel tank is aligning your wheels. To explain it simply, there are three main components to your car’s wheel alignment/suspension: Caster, Camber and Toe. 

Caster is the axis of the steering to the top and bottom of the wheel, misalignment of the Caster setting results in quick, jumpy movements in the steering. 

Camber is the degree to which the top of the wheels is aligned; this is measured in either a positive or negative setting. Misalignment of the camber results in reduced grip along the edges and uneven wear of the tires. 

Lastly, the toe of the car determines the tipping of the tire. One would think the tires must be aligned dead straight, but that is not the case. All four tires have a toe of about 1/8th of a degree. 

Misalignment in the toe results in the tires working against each other, which slows down the car, resulting in higher fuel consumption to achieve top speed. 

Getting your car perfectly aligned will save you a ton of fuel by raising your mpg; just ask your mechanic to look into your car’s alignment, and you’ll be good to go.

Conclusion 

We’ve listed four tried-and-tested techniques to increase your vehicle’s mpg. Their added benefit is that they also help maintain your vehicle and prevents unanticipated malfunctions, saving you more money in the long term. 

If your car needs service, contact us, or feel free to drop by at Auffenberg Farmington on 830 Valley Creek Dr, Farmington, MO to get express service on your Chevrolet, Buick, or GMC vehicle!