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Back in September I posted a set of tips to increase fuel economy by checking the electronics and sensors.  It was the beginning of a three-part series I wanted to write about how to get more miles per gallon fairly cheaply.  Today I would like to discuss the mechanical aspects of the engine system that will help to increase fuel economy and decrease that carbon footprint.  In this article I will be discussing how tires, air, and cooling systems function and how they relate to getting those extra mpg from your automobile.

Firstly, Do you know the proper inflation pressure of your tires?  If you answered no, chances are you don’t check your tire pressures regularly.  If you answered yes, you’re probably one step ahead of most people.  Now, ask yourself if you actually know if your tires are currently inflated properly.  Unless you’ve checked in the past week, they probably are not.  As you drive, the air inside your tires constantly heats up and cools down.  Thankfully, most service stations have a self-serve air filling station you can use to keep those tires properly inflated.  At most they will charge you $1.00 for enough time to fill up your tires.  Keep a tire gauge in your glove compartment; they can be bought for less than $5.00 at most auto parts stores.  Keeping those tires inflated at proper pressure decreases the rolling friction caused when you drive.  Estimates say properly inflated tires add 3% to fuel economy.  It also saves you money in the long run as your tires will wear more evenly.  Speaking of tire wear, a good idea is to check how your tires are wearing when you fill them up.  Your tires should wear in a normal pattern throughout their lifetime.  Mechanics say to get a rotation and balance every 4,000 to 5,000 miles.  Most places will also check the alignment during the scheduled rotation.  You’ll also get a smoother ride if your tires are wearing normally and consistently.

Secondly, check your air filter at the beginning of Summer.  Air is full of minuscule contaminants like pollen, dust, dirt, and all kinds of other stuff that can harm your engine.  Wait until June or so to check your air filter as pollen will most likely be out of the air by that point.  If your air filter looks clogged, or if you can tap it against the pavement and see a bunch of debris fall out, its time to replace it, or if you’re using a K&N or other oil-based filter, recharge it.  If you live in a place that has a high pollen count, or high dust count, you might want to check it twice a year.  Keeping a clean air filter will help your engine breathe easier and more power will get to the tires than work to suck in enough air to continue functioning.

Thirdly, make sure your fluids are filled properly.  Heat will destroy your engine over time.  Keeping it cool keeps it efficient, and keeps your oil working properly.  Make sure you use the correct antifreeze and check for any hose leaks once a year.  Change your oil every 3,000 miles for conventional oil, or 5,000 for synthetic oil.  If your automobile has over 50,000, an oil additive to break up carbon deposits will also help keep your engine performing smoothly.  While you’re checking your oil and coolant, give a quick check to transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and break fluid.

Lastly, keep up with scheduled maintenance.  Check your car’s manual for a list of actions to take.  Make sure you don’t miss a tune-up.

All these tips add little efficiencies to many different parts of the powertrain.  They add up over the course of the life of your car.  Even though gas prices have fallen lately, its starting to rise again, and keeping your car in good shape will save you money in maintenance costs.