Question:
What can I do to improve fuel economy?
Answer:
There are actually a lot of things drivers can do – some of them are pretty easy. One of the first things drivers should do is make sure their tires are properly inflated. On the inside of the driver’s door or door jamb is a plate that indicates the correct tire pressure. Careful – there might be a different pressure for the front and rear tires. Check them at least once a month.
Carrying extra weight in the vehicle hurts fuel economy. Leave unnecessary stuff home. Do we even need to mention driving fast around Calgary and jackrabbit starts? Gently accelerate and plan your stops so that you can ease into them a bit. This really makes a big difference. Now there are a number of vital maintenance items that improve fuel economy for smart drivers. Lubricants should be replaced on schedule – dirty oil, transmission fluid and differential fluid cause more friction and drag which hurt fuel economy. A big one is having a fuel system cleaning done if needed. A dirty fuel system can really reduce engine efficiency and increase fuel consumption.
And if your Check Engine Light is on, take your vehicle in for a diagnosis. Some conditions that trigger the light can really hurt your fuel economy. Getting the necessary work done to correct the fault will help your engine run better and may bump up your fuel economy.
And watch out for miracle cures. There are a lot of products being sold that claim to increase fuel economy. Check them out before you buy. Ask your service advisor for ideas to improve your vehicle’s fuel economy.
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