We all know that proper maintenance saves us money in the long run.
Have you ever thought about all the little things we do to keep our lives running smoothly? Vacuuming is a perfect example. It makes your house feel fresher and more comfortable, what most people don’t realize is that it’s also prolonging the life of the carpet by keeping it clean. Most of us don’t realize that extending those kinds of habits to your vehicles can also help prolong the life and efficiency of your car! Your vehicles need regular maintenance just like your rugs need vacuuming. You may not notice a difference in the feel or appearance of your car, but you’ll notice your reward when you go to fill up your tank.
When it comes to reduced fuel economy, there are two culprits: increased friction and inefficient fuel combustion. That means that anything you can do to decrease friction and increase the efficiency of your engine will translate to savings on fuel. Friction increases the amount of energy it takes to move something. If you can reduce friction, you can decrease the amount of fuel it takes to run your vehicles. Engine oil is usually at the heart of friction problems in an engine. Too little oil means parts are not getting lubricated, which increases friction and dirty oil doesn’t lubricate as well as clean oil. One secret to good fuel economy is to get frequent oil services! Don’t skip them and don’t procrastinate them when its due. The same advice applies to transmission fluid. Keep it full and keep it clean, and your vehicle will run with less friction and better fuel economy.
Another fuel economy culprit is your tires! If your tires are underinflated, it increases the friction between the tire and the road. There is increased drag and it takes more fuel to move your vehicle. Remember to check your tire pressure at least once a month and top them off when needed. Alignment and brake issues can also increase friction. Besides saving on gas, making sure these systems are properly maintained helps you prolong the lifetime of your tires and brake pads. These items wear out much quicker when the alignment is off or when the brake system isn’t functioning properly. Stay up to date on your vehicle's maintenance and save money on gas with our help.
Safe driving from us here at Eureka Brake & Automotive!
(707) 443-2122
www.eurekabrake.com
Revised from content contributed by NAPA Service Assistant