Proper maintenance can help prevent your car from guzzling fuel and draining your pocketbook. Above, a gasoline delivery at a station in Clifton, Va.

Gas prices sting? Try a tuneup

By Anita Szoke, Copley News Service | October 23, 2005

Record gas prices don't have to take a huge chunk out of your budget. There are numerous ways to save on gas, auto mechanics say.

Driving more efficiently, keeping your car in shape, planning and combining trips -- and possibly choosing a more efficient vehicle -- can help to reduce the amount of gas you use, said Brian Shirley, president of Quality 1 Auto Centers in Peoria, Ill.

Tuneups, regular oil changes, and car maintenance checks improve performance as well as gas mileage, he said.

And by following the manufacturer's recommendations in your owner's manual, you should avoid fuel-economy problems caused by worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid, or the transmission failing to go into high gear, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Mobile Sources.

''A good tuneup goes a long way," Shirley said.

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4.1 percent, though results vary on the kind of repair and how well it's done, according to the US Department of Energy.

It's also important to check and replace air filters regularly, Shirley said. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent, according to the Department of Energy.

A car's air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of the engine. Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine, Shirley said.

Keeping tires properly inflated can improve your gas mileage as well, said Bruce Kent, owner of Benson's Automotive Service in Peoria, who has been in the industry 32 years.

Tires lose an average of three pounds of air a month, so it helps to check them monthly, Kent said. ''General maintenance on your vehicle can help your car run to its maximum capability," Kent said.

Periodic wheel alignments also are important, he said.

''That's another thing that people never -- and I mean never -- seem to do," Kent said. ''But it only takes one-sixteenth of an inch out of alignment to cause tire wear."

Driving sensibly, and avoiding aggressive driving such as speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking can save gas, too, Shirley said.

Don't burn more fuel than you need

Some tips on how to save gasoline and improve your vehicle's mileage:

Walk, bike, take a bus, or car pool when possible.

Drive your car wisely and maintain it properly. Both can make a big difference.

Avoid ''jack-rabbit" starts, and anticipate stops to avoid sudden braking.

Turn off the engine if you anticipate a lengthy wait. Instead of idling at a drive-up window, park and go in. Idling burns more gas than restarting the engine.

Avoid carrying unneeded items in the trunk. Extra weight decreases gas mileage. Also, you can reduce drag by placing items inside the car or in the trunk, rather than on roof racks.

Avoid high speeds. You can improve gas mileage about 15 percent by driving at 55 mph rather than 65.

If you have overdrive gearing, use it as soon as your speed is high enough. If you have a manual transmission, the lower the shift speed, the better the fuel economy.

Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.

Get regular engine tuneups. Worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, dirty air filters, and low transmission fluid cut gas mileage.

Cruise control helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas.

SOURCES:Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy

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