How to Improve Fuel Economy with Vehicle Maintenance

With gas prices in constant fluctuation, it’s no surprise that Clovis drivers are looking to save as much at the pump as possible. Even if you drive a fuel-efficient car, you may be looking for ways to get the most out of your tank. Luckily, there are some easy ways for you to improve your fuel economy without upgrading to a new vehicle. With some routine maintenance and some fuel-optimized driving tips, you can keep the trips to the pump to a minimum. Read on to find out the best ways to maintain your fuel economy from the service team at Fresno Acura!

Routine Maintenance to Optimize Fuel Economy

Keeping up with your car’s routine maintenance schedule is one way to ensure you’re optimizing your fuel economy. There are several parts of your vehicle that can affect the mileage you get on Madera roads, so the next time you schedule service with Fresno Acura, consider making sure all these parts are in order:

• Proper Tire Inflation: Keeping an eye on your tire inflation is an easy bit of maintenance you can do at home that will save you big on fuel efficiency. When your tires are under- or over-inflated they can drop your fuel economy by up to 3%! Check your tire’s recommended PSI and measure them regularly to make sure they’re at the right inflation level, especially during season changes where temperatures fluctuate.
• The Right Oil: Your owner’s manual will tell you what kind of oil they recommend for your vehicle’s engine. Follow this advice! Using the wrong viscosity or type of oil can decrease your engine’s performance, making it run less efficiently and burn more gas. If you’re not sure what oil is recommended for your vehicle, Fresno Acura’s service team will be happy to help.
• Air Filter Changes: A clogged or dirty air filter can put a damper on your acceleration- and your fuel consumption! Have air filters regularly inspected and changed to keep the airflow unobstructed throughout the vehicle.
• New Spark Plugs: Worn spark plugs can cause misfires and incomplete combustion, leading to a lot of wasted gas! Have your spark plugs checked during routine maintenance intervals (like getting your oil changed) to make sure they’re still in good, working order. When they start to get to the end of their run, consider replacing them sooner rather than later to improve fuel economy. 
• Regular Fuel Injection Service: Have your engine’s fuel injection systems cleaned to prevent the buildup of sediment or deposits. The cleaner your fuel injection system is, the cleaner your engine will run.

While some of these services can be done at home, like checking your tire pressure, others should be done by qualified technicians. View our service department’s rotating service specials to save on your next routine maintenance to optimize your fuel economy! 

Driving Habits That Boost Your Fuel Economy

There are other ways to maintain your fuel economy without going in for service. Your driving habits also have an impact on your overall gas mileage! While it can be hard to remember these tips while driving around Visalia, do your best to keep them in mind and you could save yourself some trips to the gas station:

• Maintain Speed and Follow Speed Limits: While not the most exciting advice, maintaining your speed and avoiding any fast accelerations or hard braking can improve fuel economy. This goes for speeding, too: Any speed over 50 mph begins to degrade your fuel efficiency. Stick to posted speeds and drive smoothly. Your wallet will thank you!
• Reduce Idling: Whether you’re warming up the car on a cold morning or stuck in a drive-through for longer than you’d like, idling will begin to eat at your overall fuel efficiency. Investing in cars with Start/Stop technology or avoiding long warm-up times are a couple of ways to optimize your fuel economy.
• Reduce Vehicle Weight: If it’s been a while since you cleaned out your car, now might be a good time! Extra cargo weight can lower your fuel efficiency, whether it’s inside the trunk or mounted on the top. Keep your car clean and empty except for necessities like an emergency kit, to improve fuel economy.

Want to learn more? Check out our post about fuel-efficient driving tips to get even more ideas on how to drive efficiently.

Discover More Gas-Saving Tips at Fresno Acura!

Now that you know how to improve your fuel economy with vehicle maintenance and good driving habits, you’re ready to optimize your vehicle’s fuel efficiency! If you’re in need of some of these routine services, feel free to contact us at Fresno Acura or schedule an appointment and we’ll ensure your vehicle is in tip-top shape. Want to learn more about DIY services and cost-saving tips? Check out our Service Tips & Tricks page to learn more about how to optimize your car!