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HOW CAN I SAVE ON GAS? THE “EVERYTHING AUTO” FUEL ECONOMY SERIES, PART 1
American Pride Automotive • February 7, 2013
When it comes to budgeting month to month with a busy schedule, there are few things more frustrating than rising gas prices. If only the commute would get shorter when the price at the pump gets higher! Since we know that will never be the case, American Pride Automotive wants to offer you some helpful tips for saving on gas this season. How can you get where you need to go without breaking the bank? With smart driving and regular auto maintenance. Read on for part 1 of our series on fuel economy!
DRIVE EFFICIENTLY
Believe it or not, your driving style has a big impact on your car’s fuel economy. Sudden stops and accelerations, jerky turns and other aggressive maneuvers waste gas and put undue wear-and-tear on your vehicle. To save gas and protect your car, give yourself ample time to get to your destination without speeding and try to combine errands to avoid extra trips.
CHECK YOUR GAS CAP
A missing, broken, or loose fuel cap is a big culprit of fuel-waste. Each year, faulty gas caps cause millions of gallons of gas to evaporate into thin air. When this happens, your money disappears (POOF!) and the environment takes a beating. American Pride can inspect your gas cap at your vehicle’s next tune-up and check it for any telltale signs of inefficiency.
MAINTAIN PROPER WHEEL ALIGNMENT
In order to provide you with the smoothest, most efficient ride, your vehicle’s wheels need to be in alignment and its suspension system in great condition. Poorly aligned wheels and a faulty suspension system burden your vehicle with extra resistance. This means that you will have to use more fuel to get from point A to point B. Signs of bad wheel alignment or faulty suspension include uneven tire wear, an off-center or shaky steering wheel, and a feeling that your vehicle is ‘wandering,’ among others.
American Pride recommends that you have your wheel alignment checked every 6 months (or 8,000 miles…which ever comes first). In addition to performing regularly scheduled maintenance, we also specialize in alignment and suspension system repair. So if you feel like something is off, call us or stop in. If you don’t, it might cost you at the pump.
Remember: Drive efficiently, check your gas cap, and maintain proper wheel alignment. These are just three steps you can take to reduce your monthly fuel costs and preserve the life of your vehicle. If you have any questions or concerns, call or contact American Pride Automotive. You can trust us for expert answers, quality service, and complete satisfaction with your automotive maintenance or repair experience.
STAY TUNED TILL NEXT WEEK FOR PART 2 OF AMERICAN PRIDE’S “EVERYTHING AUTO” SERIES ON FUEL ECONOMY!
We want to say thank you to all of our healthcare and first responders. Please accept this specialized offer.
You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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