Have you ever thought about all the little things we do to keep our lives running smoothly – like vacuuming? It makes a room feel fresher and more comfortable, but we may not consider that we’re also prolonging the life of the carpet by keeping it clean. Unfortunately, West Des Moines drivers don’t always extend those good maintenance schedule habits into the garage. Our vehicles need routine car maintenance just like our rugs need regular vacuuming. We may not notice a difference in the feel or appearance of the vehicle, but just as cleaning a carpet carries the hidden reward of prolonging its life, maintaining our vehicles can yield hidden fuel efficiency at the gas station.
When it comes to reduced fuel economy, there are two culprits: increased friction and inefficient fuel combustion. That means that anything drivers can do to decrease friction and increase the efficiency of their engines will translate to saving money on gas. Friction increases the amount of energy it takes to move something. So if we can reduce friction, we can decrease the amount of fuel it takes to run our vehicles. Engine oil is usually at the heart of friction problems in an engine. Too little oil means parts are not getting lubricated, which increases friction and dirty oil doesn’t lubricate as well as clean oil. So a secret to good fuel economy is to stay on top of oil changes to keep that check oil light from coming on. Don’t procrastinate or skip these routine but important automotive services. The same auto advice applies to transmission fluid. Keep your fluif levels full and keep your fluid clean, and your vehicle will run with less friction and increased efficiency.
If your tires are underinflated, it increases the friction between the tire and the road. This tire friction creates increased drag, which takes more fuel to move your vehicle. All drivers should check their tire pressure every month and keep their tires properly inflated.
Alignment and brake problems can also increase friction. Besides saving fuel, keeping these systems in good repair has the added benefit of keeping you from having to replace car parts, such as tires and brake pads. These auto parts wear out more quickly when the alignment is off or when the brake system isn’t in good working order. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable auto mechanic near you at All Pro Servicenter.
The second culprit that stealthily steals our fuel economy is inefficient fuel combustion. This depends on the engine getting the right amount of clean fuel to the right place with the right pressure at the right time in the right pattern. The key to peak engine performance is to keep the fuel system clean from everyday dirt and grime. Varnish and gum can build up in a fuel system, which will interfere with the fuel injectors. The fuel injectors are responsible for all those “rights” we spoke of. If they’re dirty, amounts, timing, pressure, and spray patterns can all get out of whack. The result? Reduced fuel economy. A fuel system cleaning at All Pro Servicenter in West Des Moines can get your injectors back on track, improving performance and efficiency.
There are a few other maintenance items that can improve your fuel economy. One is to replace your PCV valve when it gets sticky. This valve allows unburned fuel in your engine exhaust to return to the engine. Our automotive repair and service experts can also replace worn spark plugs and dirty fuel filters. A well-maintained vehicle will require fewer stops at auto repair shops and save you money at the gas pumps.
All Pro Servicenter
1121 Railroad Ave
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
515.453.8439
http://www.allproservicenter.com
At All Pro Servicenter we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
