7 Easy Tips to Increase Your MPGs

It was great to watch gasoline prices drop for a few months, but they're back on the rise, which means you should be doing everything you can to get the best fuel efficiency possible. Small maintenance services can go along way in protecting and enhancing your car's performance. If you take the necessary steps you will continue to get the EPA estimated miles per gallon it left the factory with for years and years. Many of these tips can be done on your own, but if you need help with any of these auto maintenance services be sure to stop by your local auto shop!

Avoid Long Warm Ups

You should not have to let your vehicle warm up for more than a minute or so before it's ready to drive. If your car is running but not moving you're getting exactly zero miles to the gallon! If your car does require excessive time to be ready to drive there is some sort of problem that needs to be diagnosed by a technician.

Properly Inflate the Tires

Under-inflated tires not only wear out prematurely they can cause your miles per gallon to drop drastically because the tires are soft it will take more engine power to turn them.

Roll up the Windows

Vehicles are designed to be aerodynamic and when traveling at higher speeds, such as on the freeway, a rolled down window can drop fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent!

Fresh Air Filter

Be sure to change your air filter as necessary. If it becomes clogged the proper amount of air won't be able to mix with the fuel, causing the car to burn excessive amounts of gasoline to compensate.

Replace the Spark Plugs

Dirty or corroded spark plugs can misfire, wasting gasoline as you drive down the road. Consult your owner's manual to see how often your car's spark plugs need to be replaced.

Reduce AC Usage

It gets hot in California, but if possible try to keep your AC use to a minimum. Running the air conditioner puts extra strain on the engine, causing it to burn more gasoline.

Exhaust Leaks

If you have an exhaust leak don't delay having it fixed. Not only is it hazardous to your health it can drop your MPGs because sensors are not going to be able to properly read the incoming and outgoing amounts of air to generate the proper air/fuel mixture.

Scheduled Maintenance

Make sure you're getting the most miles for your dollar by keeping up with your factory recommended services. These generally include servicing the fuel system to ensure maximum efficiency.

Taking care of your car is important if you want it to perform well, or at all, for that matter. Utilizing these tips will help ensure your car is getting great mileage all the time. For expert auto maintenance in Sacramento bring your vehicle to Freeport Automotive. Our ASE certified technicians can complete any service for your import or domestic vehicle, including routine maintenance and complicated engine and transmission repair. Give Freeport Automotive a call today at (916) 389-2405 to request a quote or to schedule an appointment for affordable auto repair in Sacramento.

Freeport Automotive Blog

Written and Published By MORBiZ