Tech Talk

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We don’t just talk about it. We teach it. Here are a few tips for you and your automotive companion.

One of the leading causes of decreased fuel economy is neglected maintenance. This costs consumers millions of dollars in wasted fuel. Here are a few examples from parts plus car care center.

    DIRTY AIR FILTER
  • MPG penalty: up to 2 MPG The engine can use more than 10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so it’s easy to see the importance of the air filter. The air filter should be checked at every oil change.
    OIL CHANGE EXCEEDING 3 MONTHS / 3K MILES
  • MPG penalty: up to 1 MPG Dirty engine oils cause friction in internal engine parts, reducing efficiency
    WORN SPARK PLUGS
  • MPG penalty: up to 2 MPG When a spark plug wears out it can cause inefficient combustion, resulting in wasted fuel.
    FUEL FILTER
  • MPG penalty: up to 1.5 MPG A dirty fuel filter allows impurities like dirt and rust into the fuel system, causing the engine to use more fuel.
    TIRE INFLATION
  • MPG penalty: 1 TO 2 MPG Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and cause a decrease in fuel economy.
    FUEL CAP
  • MPG penalty: up to 2 MPG Damaged, missing or loose caps cause over 147 million gallons of fuel to evaporate each year.
    WORN O2 SENSORS
  • MPG penalty: up to 3 MPG A worn oxygen sensor is unable to detect and adjust the fuel/air mixture correctly and can cause your vehicle to use more fuel than it needs to.
    WHEEL ALIGNMENT
  • MPG penalty: up to 1.5 MPG Improper alignment can lead to conditions that increase rolling resistance. This Is like driving with the parking brake not fully released.

There are a few other hints for fuel economy:

  • Remember that an idle car gets “0” MPG. Turn your vehicle off if you are sitting for more than a minute
  • Simple maintenance checks not only save on fuel but greatly reduce the cost of car ownership

AND DON’T FORGET THAT CABIN AIR FILTER! THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR ENGINE AIR FILTER WHICH FILTERS ENGINE AIR. THE CABIN AIR FILTER FILTERS THE AIR YOU BREATHE. WE WILL CHECK ALL OF THE ABOVE IN OUR FREE 49-POINT INSPECTION-FREE WITH ANY SERVICE.