Treat your car to preventative maintenance and get better gas mileage in return. According to the Car Care Council, even today’s modern vehicles need a periodic tune-up and that can save big at the pump.
“Regular tune-ups are an investment that really pays off. A well-maintained vehicle is not only more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly, but performs better and is safer and more reliable,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.
The council recommends 21st Century preventative maintenance during which the fuel, emissions and ignition systems are checked, as well as the battery, charging and starting system, and the engine mechanical and powertrain control systems. Keeping a car properly tuned can improve gas mileage by an average of 4%.
In addition to performing a tune-up, keeping tires properly inflated improves gas mileage by 2%. A clean air filter can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 14% on older vehicles and also helps the environment, as do regular oil and filter changes.
Air filters are usually inspected during an oil service, which would be performed regularly. We recommend every 5,000 miles or twice per year, on average. Tire pressures should be checked monthly.
