Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Are you getting the Best MPG?

Many times as your car ages, your fuel economy tends to go down.  When you first purchased your car it may have been brand new.  Maybe your car was used but had been serviced and brought up to new standards with new tires, fluid flushes, and more.  The question remains, why don't I get the same fuel economy that I used to some years ago?   Many things effect the fuel economy of a vehicle and here is a simple list of things to check on your vehicle: 

  1. Check your tire pressure. Making sure your vehicle's tires are set to the recommended pressure can increase fuel economy by as much as 3.3 percent.
  2. Breathe easy. Next time you get your oil changed, have the air filter checked as well. Replacing a dirty air filter with a clean one can save up to 10 percent on fuel costs.
  3. Make sure your vehicle is in top running order. Read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. If it's time for a tune up, do it and you can realize up to a 4.1 percent increase in fuel economy.
  4. Buy the right gas. Your owner's manual will list the correct octane gasoline you should use for your vehicle. Purchase whatever is recommended and no more. Premium-grade fuel is more costly and won't improve economy in vehicles designed to run on regular.
  5. Lighten up. The less weight in your vehicle, the better your fuel economy. Clean out that trunk!
  6. Grease up. Using the manufacturer's specified motor oil, and changing it per factory recommendations, can improve fuel economy as well.
  7. Ask your service facility about optional maintenance packages.  A flushed transmission, radiator, or fuel system can not hurt even though it is not "recommended" in the owner's manual.

These tips may seem to be costly, but don't step over dollars to chase pennies by neglecting your fuel budget. 

Visit Stokes Brown Toyota of Hilton Head for your next service www.stokesbrowntoyotahh.com