Carley's Corner: My Advice on Gas-Saving Gadgets

Carley’s Corner: My Advice on Gas-Saving Gadgets

ely, these cars were introduced a few years too soon and were discontinued because of limited range (about 100 miles on a full charge), and the high cost of the batteries (GM’s cost was reportedly $500 for each battery, and each car held 18 batteries!). If GM were to re-introduce the EV1 today, buyers would be standing in line and paying full list price plus ‹ just like people who want to buy a Toyota Prius today.

Reduce Friction?
One way to reduce internal engine friction is to switch to a lower viscosity oil with a “fuel saving” rating from the American Petroleum Institute (API). Switching from a 10W-30 to a 5W-30 or 5W-20 oil may improve fuel economy up to half a percent, but don’t expect a miracle.

Maintenance Helps
A dirty air filter that is clogged with debris will restrict airflow into the engine and hurt fuel economy, performance and emissions. Inspect the air filter and replace it if it’s dirty.

Ignition misfire can also waste fuel if the spark plugs are worn or fouled. Standard spark plugs should be replaced every 45,000 miles, while platinum or iridium-tipped long-life spark plugs can typically go 100,000 miles before replacement is needed.

Some spark plugs have special electrode configurations that are designed to minimize misfires. This may also help fuel economy somewhat ‹ but only if the engine had a misfire problem before the plugs were installed.

Check tire inflation pressures regularly. Low tires increase rolling resistance and drag. Keep your customers’ tires inflated to specifications to maximize fuel economy (32 to 34 psi for most cars).

Other Tricks That Help Save Gas
A less restrictive exhaust allows the engine to breathe easier and use less fuel. Replacing a restrictive stock muffler with an aftermarket performance muffler can reduce backpressure and slightly improve performance and fuel economy. But the trade-off may be an increase in exhaust noise.

Get rid of dead weight. Tell customers to clean out their vehicles’ trunks and don’t haul anything that isn’t needed. For every 100 lbs. of weight removed from a vehicle, fuel economy may increase up to 1 or 2%.

Keep your gas tank half full rather than completely full. Gas weighs about 8 lbs. per gallon, so keeping a 20-gallon tank half full saves 80 lbs. of dead weight.

Combine trips to reduce the total number of miles driven to a minimum. Car pool. Share rides and errands with others.

Finally, get the lead out of your own posterior. Walk more and drive less. Ride a bike. That’s my advice.

Offer Your Customers Some Suggestions on Saving Fuel

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) advises drivers to consider these suggestions to help them deal with rising fuel costs:

  • Check Engine Light on? If so, it means that it may be polluting too much and often means you are using too much fuel. Have it checked and reparied by your local technician.

  • Vehicle gas caps – About 17% of vehicles on the road have gas caps that are either damaged, loose or missing altogether, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.

  • Underinflated tires – When tires aren’t inflated properly it’s like driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.

  • Worn spark plugs – A vehicle can have either four, six or eight spark plugs, which fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty spark plug causes misfiring, which wastes fuel. Spark plugs need to be replaced regularly.

  • Dirty air filter? – Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%, saving about 15 cents a gallon.

“These are the kinds of tips that all of our shops should be bringing to their customers,” AASP/NJ President Bob Everett added. ” The more you educate the customer, the more likely they will return to your shop.”

For more information on AASP/NJ, visit the AASP/NJ website at www.aaspnj.org.

You May Also Like

Several States Declare April As ‘Car Care Month’

Several governors across the country have declared April as Car Care Month in their respective states, urging their residents to be car care aware and perform the service necessary to ensure their vehicles are operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.

Several governors across the country have declared April as Car Care Month in their respective states, urging their residents to be car care aware and perform the service necessary to ensure their vehicles are operating in a safe, efficient and clean manner.
The following governors have issued official state proclamations that April is Car Care Month: Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama, Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Gov. Pat Quinn of Illinois, Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan, Gov. Susana Martinez of New Mexico, Gov. John A. Kitzhaber, M.D. of Oregon, Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina, Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia.
“We want to thank these governors for officially proclaiming April as Car Care Month,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Car Care Month provides a unique opportunity for the auto care industry and the government to educate car owners on the importance of proper vehicle care. Motor vehicle safety continues to be a major focus for state legislatures and regulatory agencies across the country, so we commend each of the governors for making these important proclamations.”
Spring is the perfect time for motorists to make sure their vehicles are running reliably after a rough winter and before the summer driving season begins. Many independent repair shops and community organizations throughout the country will conduct car care events during April. These events have revealed that three out of four vehicles inspected are in need of some type of maintenance or repair.
The non-profit Car Care Council offers many free tools on its website to help consumers drive smart, save money and be more environmentally friendly, including the popular 60-page Car Care Guide and a custom service schedule and email reminder service.
“By following a service schedule and performing preventative vehicle maintenance, motorists can ensure that their vehicles are safe and dependable. Plus, auto care can help save money in many ways, including reducing fuel consumption and extending vehicle life,” continued White. “We encourage all car owners across the country to get their vehicles inspected this April.”

Intake Manifold Gaskets: A Service Rundown

Back in the days when most

Monroe “Quick Rewards” Program Offers Incentives For Sales Of Monroe Quick-Strut Assemblies

Tenneco’s Monroe brand will offer an incentive to counterpeople for the sale of popular, ready-to-install Monroe Quick-Strut premium replacement assemblies. The Monroe “Quick Rewards” scorecard promotion – available for sales between April 1 and May 31, 2014 – will reward participants with a $10 prepaid card for each pair of qualifying Monroe Quick-Strut units sold.

Three AGM, Gel Cell Battery Myths

Chances are if the battery is not under the hood, it is an absorbent glass mat (AGM) or gel cell battery. These batteries pack a lot of power for their size and weight, which allows manufacturers to shave off a few pounds from the vehicle. That’s a big ­reason why they are being found more and more on late-model vehicles. Here are three AGM/gel cell myths.

10 Toughest Cabin Air Filter Jobs

There are still many late model vehicles that are not easy to service, and they require a significant amount of disassembly to gain access to the filter. For your shop, this is billable labor. Here are the 10 toughest jobs according to the editors of Underhood Service.

Other Posts

Tools in the Eye of the Beholder

We’re here to help you see all the tools, so you can invest wisely.

Navigating Setbacks in Difficult Diagnoses

There are valuable strategies to help manage technological frustration and navigate setbacks effectively.

Hollywood, Get it Right!

There have been plenty of movie mishaps overtime.

Your Shops’ Online Presence is Your Strongest Tool

Having a strong online presence is a crucial tool for shops in the industry to thrive in the digital age.