Improving Fuel Economy (part 2)

Maintaining, fixing any mechanical problems that become visible and keeping a vehicle properly tuned will increase the fuel economy as much as 4%, depending on what kind of repair is done to the vehicle. Repairing a major mechanical problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor can increase the fuel economy as much as 40%.

A clean air filter can improve a vehicle’s fuel economy by 10%. When it’s time to change oil in a vehicle, that’s a good time to check the air filter. If the filter isn’t very dirty, just blow the filter with a blow gun. If the filter is clogged or really dirty, then the filter needs to be replaced. A clean air filter will not only saves gas, it protects the engine as well.

Keeping your tires on a vehicle properly inflated can also improve fuel economy by 3%. Most vehicles have a tire pressure chart inside the driver’s side door that has the proper tire pressure for each tire on that vehicle. If there’s no chart inside the door, look inside owner’s manual, on the side of tire, or ask your mechanic. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires.

Using the recommended grade of motor oil that the manufacture suggests for a particular vehicle can increase fuel economy. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent. The owner manual suggests special oil grades for different weather conditions. For the best results, refer to the vehicle’s oil manual. Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.