How to Improve Fuel Economy

With fuel prices at an all time high, every penny counts! Here are 8 quick and simple tips to improve your gas mileage;

1. Keep Tires Properly Inflated: Make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturers recommended PSI. Low tire pressure will not only result in increased tire wear, it will also reduce your gas mileage. In fact, for every PSI below the recommended level, expect up to a 6% loss in fuel efficiency.
2. Keep your car in tune: Make sure that your engine is running smoothly. Check your spark plugs, wires, and fuel injectors on a regular basis and perform the necessary service. A smooth running engine will result in a much more efficient burning engine versus one that may be misfiring or plugged due to an overdue maintenance.
3. Keep your car rolling free: You may improve fuel economy by up to 20% by ensuring that your car rolls smoothly. Make sure that your wheels are aligned and your tires are properly balanced. Also, check for any resistance due to brake dragging or tires that be not be adjusted properly.
4. Replace air filters regularly: A clogged or dirty air filter may reduce fuel mileage by up to 10-20%. A clean air filter ensures that the engine breath's freely avoiding the engine from working unnecessarily hard. For even better gas mileage and improved performance, consider switching to K&N or FRAM Air Hog. Save 20% of regular price now!
5. Check your O2 sensor: Faulty O2 sensors are not only common, but they play a very significant role in your car's overall fuel consumption. O2 sensors essentially inform your engine's computer system how much fuel to send to the engine. Often, faulty or worn oxygen sensors send more fuel than necessary to the engine resulting in inefficiency. A new O2 sensor may improve gas mileage by up to 15%.
6. Use fuel injector cleaner: A good fuel additive such as Lucas Fuel Treatment can not only significantly improve performance, but will also improve your fuel efficiency.
7. Switch to synthetic oil: Synthetic motor oil reduces drag and allows the engine to operate more freely, thereby improving fuel economy.
   
   Synthetic motor oil, when compared to conventional motor oils, offer critical performance benefits, including:
   • Superior protection in low temperatures, enabling easier and faster start-ups in cold weather (as low as -40°F);
   • Enhanced high-temperature durability, reducing oxidation and wear on critical engine parts (up to 400°F);
   • Reduced oil consumption under high-speed conditions;
   • Superior performance under heavy engine loads/stresses, such as hauling and towing; and
   • Increased stability and better control of deposits that can impede flow and lead to higher wear.
   If you work your engine hard, drive in extreme heat, or have cold weather starts, then synthetic oil will protect your engine better.
   
   
8. Get a locking gas cap: As crazy as this may sound, with fuel prices as high as they are, fuel theft is on the rise. Yes, people actually siphon fuel out of peoples cars right in their driveway or in parking lots. This petty theft can easily be averted with the use of a locking gas cap.

In case you need them, you can always find free print outs of specific vehicle instructions and torque specifications from Mitchell on Demand at your local PartSource store.

Everything you need for this job can be found at your local PartSource store. Ask a Parts Pro about what you'll need for the job. It's better to have extra spare parts ready for anything that might need to be replaced. The last thing you want to do, is go shopping when you have the car up on the jack.

When taking parts apart, be organized. Keep similar parts together in a safe place where they won't get lost and layout parts in a way that will allow you to put them back in the same order.

Every vehicle is different. When it comes to maintenance and repairs, always follow the vehicle's owner's manual.

Safety should be your number one priority. Don't smoke, drink alcoholic beverages, or wear a necktie while working on the car. Watch out for hot objects, sharp instruments, hazardous materials and other potential safety hazards in and around your workspace.

Don't work with a Philips when the job calls for flat. Substituting tools can compromise your safety or a vehicle's performance.

Finally, when the fun turns to frustration, or if the job requires specialized knowledge beyond your capabilities, please do not attempt it yourself. Talk to a Parts Pro or seek the assistance of a professional mechanic or installer. The last thing we want is someone getting hurt.