Engine Oil Additive Info

Save With Easy Auto Maintenance Tips!

What do we all want while driving? To provide for our families, loved ones, and what have you. How do you accomplish this? There are a whole slew of roads to travel, but one main ingredient is a family car that is always 100% reliable. And if driving creates you running errands faster, to save money on gas, and decreasing air pollution, you win twice. Your 1993 Ford Tempo or whichever car, truck, van, or boat you drive needs to be performing at top capacity.

The most important thing you can do for your car is make regular auto maintenance check-ups, service all the automotive liquids. Oh, by the way, be sure to check your car’s liquids every 2 weeks. That means your oil, coolant, power steering fluid, and transmission liquids. Make checking your tires a constant too. My ex-girlfriend recently called me up and cried that one of her tires exploded driving under a freeway. Yikes. Also, don’t forget to maintain a proper fuel tank level according to your particular car’s engine (see car owner manual). A car owner manual is like the bible of your vehicle. If you don’t already have one, get one. You’ll wish you had one if your car breaks down in the desert.

Your car engine will thank you with better performance and quicker reaction times, which is an essential part of keeping you and your family and friends safe on the road. Make yourself aware of this info. It may save the life of your engine one day. It will save you money on gas and auto maintenance.

Choose the right fuel. Your vehicle is designed to take regular unleaded fuel, which will have this symbol (87) on the pump at the gas station. The 87 symbol refers to the level of octane in the fuel. Using lower grade of fuel will jack up your car engine and will cause heavy knocking, which could easily damage your engine. I drive a Ford Tempo, and my car owner manual says to use the 87 grade of gas.

Higher grade fuels will protect your fuel system from rusting and protect against fuel lock in the fuel system (causes engine to hesitate/stall and hard to restart). In addition, it will minimize fuel deposits in fuel injection system, and prevent your engine from knocking/pinging.

Higher grade fuels will also prevent the fuel system from “gumming up” when not run for long periods of time, not to mention help your, Ford Tempo perhaps, start more easily in winter while assisting in help the prevention of freezing fuel lines.

Tips to increase gas mileage include not driving at life-threatening highway speeds can dramatically lower your fuel economy. It maybe fun, but it’s the car that you don’t see that will do the most damage. Gradually increasing your speed will save you precious fuel. And the way gas prices have been, it is nice not having to cram all your money into your gas tank. Extended idling of your engine will lower your miles per gallon.

I hope theses tips allow you to spend more time with your family and friends. As well as save money on gas, and auto maintenance. Enjoy!

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Top 5 Fuel Saving Tips Without Changing the Way you Drive

As fuel prices continue to climb to record heights, increasing fuel efficiency becomes more important and will save more money than ever. The most prevalent ways to save fuel are to drive moderately and slow down. “Aggressive” drivers can save up to 37 percent by keeping the petal off the metal and moderating their accelerating and braking. Also, allowing some extra time and slowing down on extended highway trips can save up to 23 percent on gas. To put it in practical terms, for every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph, it costs about an extra .20 per gallon of gasoline.

For those not interested in changing their driving habits for the sake of fuel efficiency, they can still realize significant savings by adhering to the following 5 fuel saving tips:

#5 – Remove Excessive Weight from your vehicle

It takes surprisingly little extra weight in your vehicle to have an impact on fuel mileage. For each 100 pounds taken out of a vehicle, up to 2 percent on fuel costs can be saved.

#4 – Maintain Proper Tire Inflation

Proper tire inflation will not only improve fuel efficiency, it will help tires to last longer too! Properly inflated tires are less likely to fail at highway speeds, which is enough incentive to take a couple extra minutes to check tire pressure at each fill up. Keep tires properly inflated and save up to 3.3 percent on fuel costs.

#3 – Use Cruise Control

When taking an extended trip, turning on the cruise control is convenient and surprisingly effective at saving fuel. Cruise control is most fuel efficient on long, flat trips but should be avoided when on a mountainous treks as they tend to accelerate quicker than necessary when climbing, thus robbing fuel efficiency. Overall, up to a whopping 14 percent can be saved by using the vehicle’s cruise control feature.

#2 – Avoid Excessive Idling

Many trips include frequent errands and stops around town. Add to that frequent red lights and an untimely wait at a railroad crossing while the train crawls by, there ends up being quite a bit of idle time where the engine burns gas while sitting and waiting. When idling time is more that a minute, turn the engine off and save an astonishing 19 percent on fuel cost.

#1 – Maintain Your Vehicle’s Engine and Fuel Systems

The heart of any vehicle is its engine and the fuel system that makes the vehicle run. Scheduled maintenance is critical to long engine life as well as the most critical element to promoting fuel efficiency. Minor problems such as dirty filters and lubricating fluids can cost up to 4 percent in fuel efficiency. Scheduled maintenance will catch the more serious problems, like faulty oxygen sensors, and can save up to 40 percent on fuel costs.

You can maintain peak performance of your engine and fuel systems by using high-quality additives for your oil and gasoline. High-quality products will offer you cleaning, conditioning, and lubricating value above and beyond what is found in typical motor oil and gasoline.

For motor oil, use the recommended grade and look for oil that has “Energy Conserving” on the API symbol to ensure it has friction-reducing additives. Oil treatments vary widely in quality, but you should look for products that condition seals as well as offer friction-reducing ingredients. If you are environmentally conscious, avoid products with PTFE resins or Teflon® to help protect the ozone layer.

For gasoline, look for high-quality fuel with detergent additive to help keep your fuel system clean. Fuel treatments come with a wide variety of benefits so look for a quality product that cleans the system without harmful alcohols, lubricates and conditions injectors, and eliminates water in gas. The best products will boost octane and give you an immediate improvement in fuel mileage.

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Tips For Driving Your BMW Safely

If you own a BMW, the following tips will show you how drive safely and enjoy it all the more. There is no better way to have a good time on the road than enforcing careful driving at all times. Following these tips helps you to maintain your car in top condition too.

Before hitting the road, take a few minutes to check that all your lights are in good condition. The last thing you need is to get on the road and notice that your headlights are not working. To be sure that they are all working properly, step out of the car and go around it. Also check under your BMW, this allows you to establish if there is any kind of fluid leak.

If everything is OK, inspect your tires. All tires should be inflated properly. If you have any doubt about any one of them, then touch it and make necessary changes. You drive better when your tires are properly inflated. Make it a practice to check on the bolts and nuts on your wheels too. They tend to become loose after some time.

You can now get into the car and continue with the following safety checks. Your mirrors should be well adjusted at all times. Start by adjusting your seat before correcting the mirrors. If you are sure you are comfortable, then you can go ahead and change their position. You should be able to have a clear view of the front and rear mirrors without a problem.

As much as it seems common practice, wearing your seat belts is really important. Make sure that all your passengers are buckled up as well. You might need to pay more attention if you are driving around with small children. Watch out for their quirky steps or moves. Alternatively, ask them not to play or throw around objects in the car.

You might find it necessary to turn on your head lights even when you are driving during the day. If prevailing weather conditions hamper on visibility, then turning on your lights allows you to drive safely. It also helps other drivers to notice or see you clearly.

As you drive your BMW, you are sure to pass plenty of road and traffic signs. Make a point of obeying every one of them. In addition to honoring such instructions, it is important to be a courteous driver. Give way and always exercise patience when on the road.

It is important to practice defensive driving at all times. One method of doing this is by paying attention to what is going on around you. Every few seconds, look at those driving around and near you. This also helps you know where you are if you are driving in strange or new locations.

Keep checking that you have enough fuel as you drive from one place to another. Make sure that fluids are topped off as necessary. Check on your engine oil regularly.

Tips to Relieve Your Tension When in a Breakdown

Car accidents and breakdowns are not things that are uncommon. We see or hear an accident often when we travel outside or while watching a news channel in TV. This article solely focuses on how to handle the situation if you car breaks down.

The first and foremost reason for the occurrence of a breakdown is the lack of maintenance of your car. If you check your vehicle often with due care, you will never end up in break downs. Your vehicle breaking down is not a magical situation which occurs out of nothing. Whenever your vehicle breaks down, be calm and relaxed. You are never alone. With the advent of new systems and methodologies, you can find many service centers and automobile shops if you are in a city or an area near to city. Keep watching your vehicles important parameters like engine oil level, brake oil, brake stiffness, horns, ignition system etc, which are very vital parts in your vehicle.

You should make sure that you carry all the pre-requisite materials that would help you when in a break down. These include blankets, warning triangle, mobile phone etc. You should always be easily communicable. Whenever your vehicle breaks down, park your vehicle at a safe location on the road. Turn on the flash lights to notify everyone that your vehicle broke down. Immediately call the police or emergency help centers so that you get an assistance which would reduce the time consumed and wastes incurred. It is advised to fix the warning triangle at your boot so that the vehicles coming behind you can see it and help you to tackle the situation. This is quite a brilliant move that could be very useful. Be sure that you don’t stay inside the vehicle after a break down has occurred. This would be very much dangerous if its a highway where vehicles come with very high speed and you cannot expect the driver to anticipate your vehicle and apply brakes immediately. This is a safety measure which can save you and the passengers from the risk of collision with other vehicles. In addition, never wait on the hard shoulder of a motorway, instead move onto the grass or embankment next to the road. Drivers can also risk their own lives from remaining by their vehicle and attempting to fix the problem themselves.

During the winter months, it is very vital to have a sleep bag or a very hard and thick blanket so that you can feel the warmth and save yourself from killing cold. One of the most important things is to ensure that you have a break down cover in your car which is often included inside the car insurance files and quotes.

Be sure that you follow all the guidelines and to relieve your tension when you are stuck up with a break down. If you maintain your vehicle properly, there would be no symptom of break downs and your vehicle would always be hail and healthy.

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Tips for Preparing an RV Trip

Once you purchase an RV you are left with the prospect of getting the best use possible out of your new purchase. After planning where you want to go, mapping the best route and making campground reservations through Trailer Life’s Campground Directory, Woodalls or the Rand McNally Directory the next step is to organize your supplies. Nothing is worse than being 50 miles from nowhere and either not having or being unable to find the things that make your RV experience the best it can possible be. 

First, prepare a list of items that you need for your trip.  The following list will provide a good guide for basic necessities:

Kitchen items:  Including pots and pans, dishes, a coffee maker, dishtowels, dish soap, bowls, silverware, cups, utensils, a can opener and plastic storage containers. Clothing:  In addition to four days worth of everyday wear, consider rain gear, boots, walking shoes, swimsuits, hats and work gloves. Bedroom items:  Sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, bath towels, washcloths, sheets and a mattress cover. Items to help you have fun items include:  Fishing tackle, firewood, a lighter, lawn chairs, a camera, lantern, water bottles, insect repellant, bicycles, sunscreen and a tarp. Other miscellaneous options include:  Trash bags, a campground directory, road maps, toilet paper, toilet chemicals, paper towels, aluminum foil, matches, plastic wrap, a BBQ grill and a lawn mat.

Although you need to be prepared, it is also important to travel light. The amount of cubic feet available for storage vary by your type, model, and style of RV coach, most have under-dinette, under-bed, overhead, and wardrobe storage.  There is still limited space so plan on carrying only what you need and leave a little room for clothes and other stuff that you add along your trip.  Don’t bring an excessive amount of clothing, as most campgrounds have laundry services available.  When you leave for vacation and as when leaving a campground at each leg of your journey, dump your sewer and only fill your water tank enough to last for use between campgrounds.  Water is very heavy and traveling light will help on fuel costs and make the pulling or driving of your vehicle much easier on the driver.  Be conscious not to overload your Recreational Vehicle.

It is very important that you make sure your RV is safe for travel before you leave. The following checklist may help prevent potential problems:

Entrance door locked and deadbolted? Loose Items secured?  Heavy items secured in low cabinets, light items in overhead cabinets. Check Liquid Propane, make sure tank valves are closed. Check water and sewer levels. Make sure roof vents are closed. Check lug nuts on wheels, have bearings been checked and greased lately? Check brakes Check Engine oil, washer fluid, coolant, generator oil. Power cord stored properly? TV antenna down. Make sure awning is tightly secured. Don’t forget your sewer hose. Water hose disconnected and cap back in place. Storage doors closed and locked? Have someone watch while you test tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals

Another important safety tip: if you aren’t sure about how to operate a feature of your RV, get assistance. Seek out help from your local Coachman or Forest River dealers (or another appropriate expert for your RV manufacturer.)  

Finally, once you leave on your trip —  be mindful of the extra size and weight you are carrying on the road.  Think ahead, allow yourself more time and distance when approaching traffic and traffic lights.  Slow down and be safe, you are on vacation and in no hurry.  Pace yourself to the conditions at hand, speed up while approaching a hill, slow down while descending one.  Consider the cost of fuel while driving.  Instead of driving the extra miles to buy small items along the way, plan ahead and make one big trip before you go.  If possible, buy your food and fuel at one spot and whenever you stop always check your tires and lug nuts.  Do not start or stop rapidly and remember to always think ahead, you will have a much safer and enjoyable journey as a result.

Automobile Tips for Better Fuel Mileage – Don’t Let Gas Prices Drain Your Wallet

Tips for Better Fuel Mileage:

Change the air filter when needed, and use a quality brand: More efficient
brands of air filters cost a little more but will pay for themselves in most vehicles in
fuel savings.

Get Low Resistance Tires: Some tires, such as Michelin Energy MX 4 Plus are
supposed to increase gas mileage.

Get a membership card: Some gas stations offer membership benefits. There are
also department and grocery stores that give discounts at the fuel pump when you
use their store membership cards. Make sure you understand the benefits; getting a
5-cent discount on gas that consistently costs 10 cents more than the next guy isn’t
much of a deal.

Give your car a tune up: While properly maintaining your car won’t actually save
you money at the pump, it will save you gas. Using less gas saves you money. Have
the oil change every 3k miles, and have a certified mechanic give your engine a look
over.

Check the web for deals: Web sites let you find the best deals in your area. Check
out the external links below to start.

Buy a Diesel: Diesel cars can often get better mileage than comparable hybrids.
Getting a Diesel car also allows for use of Bio diesel or even Waste Vegetable Oil
(WVO/SVO) fuel.

Buy a hybrid car: Not only do hybrid cars give you immediate savings at the pump,
the U.S. government and your local state offer tax breaks for people who use gassaving
cars. Federal deductions for using gas-saving cars can be as high as
,000.00, but check before buying to see if they’re still in effect. If you can’t afford
the growing number of hybrid cars out there, consider getting a regular car with
good MPG (miles per gallon). In general, the smaller the car, the better the mileage.

Use the lowest recommended octane for your car: The lower octane gas is
cheaper. Most modern cars are engineered to run most efficiently on lower octane
fuel, and often recommend not using higher octane fuel. Check your owner’s manual
to be sure, as not all car engines should use lowest octane gas.

Mix octanes: In some areas, the lower octane may be too low for your car and the
mid-grade or higher octane may be more than what you need. To avoid overpaying
and still get the correct octane for your car you can mix the gas. For example, if your
car takes 87 octane and the pumps have 85 octane and 89 octane, then when filling
your car, fill half the tank with 85 octane and the other half with 89 octane and this
will give you an equivalent of 87 octane plus it will save you money because the
lower octane gas costs less.

Avoid idling: While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon. Although starting
the car used to use a lot of gas, it’s now the same as idling for about 30 seconds.
Idling to warm up is particularly bad, as the engine needs extra fuel to warm up.
After start up, allow your car to idle 15-30 seconds, then drive conservatively until it
reaches normal operating temperature. Park your car and go into the restaurant
rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses
extra fuel. Stopping and starting the engine frequently will cause extra wear. Don’t stop the
engine if you are going to idle for less than a minute.
In very cold environments, it is recommended to allow the vehicle to idle and warm
up, rather than just start it and take off. You might save gas, but your engine oil
won’t do its job until it’s fully liquid, so you’ll spend more money on overhauls. Check
tire pressures regularly. Buy an inexpensive air pump and an accurate tire gauge
(not a pencil gauge as they are not accurate). Keep all tires inflated to the pressure
as recommended for your car. Go by the tire wall; the sticker on the door frame, fuel
filler flap, or manual is for comfort, not fuel efficiency. Generally speaking, a slightly
higher pressure will improve fuel mileage and handling, but too high will degrade
traction and wear the tires rapidly.

Drive at a consistent speed: Avoid high acceleration and hard braking. Use cruise
control when you can.

Maintain a safe following distance: Don’t stick to the bumper of the car directly
in front of you. You will brake more and accelerate more to keep that unnecessary
and dangerous narrow gap. This also gives you a lot more room to play with when
you are timing traffic signals. Likewise, ignore tailgaters. They will tailgate you
whether you go the speed limit, or 100MPH over the speed limit. Allow them pass
when it’s convenient.

Slow down: Air resistance goes up as the square of velocity. The power consumed
to overcome that air resistance goes up as the cube of the velocity. Rolling
resistance is the dominant force below about 40 mph. Above that, every mph costs
you mileage. Go as slow as traffic and your schedule will allow. Drive under 60-65
since air grows exponentially denser, in the aerodynamic sense, the faster we drive.
To be precise, the most efficient speed is your car’s minimum speed in it’s highest
gear, since this provides the best “speed per RPM” ratio.

Clean out any unnecessary items in your car: If you have heavy objects in your
car that you don’t need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to
get where you’re going.

Remove unneeded racks: If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you’re
not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.

Don’t fill until the last quarter tank: If you do this, it can extend your gas
because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. This also allows you
to buy gas on low-cost days. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of
condensation in the fuel tank. And you never know when you might be in an
emergency and need some gasoline in your car!

Fill the tank full: If you need to fill up, fill up all the way. The more money you try
to save by adding today and then tomorrow will be wasted since each time
you will have to travel to the station and wait for a pump. Instead, do it all at once
to save time and money.

Determine whether gas with ethanol is right for your vehicle:
If there is a high proportion of ethanol, the lower energy content of the fuel will
almost always lower mileage. However, 10% or less ethanol actually helps gasoline
burn more completely, resulting in better economy.
Fuel with ethanol may be more expensive than standard gas, but the minimal price
difference is often offset by lower fuel taxes or subsidies.
Ethanol is much better for the environment, however, fuels with ethanol additives
can corrode fuel lines in vehicles not designed with ethanol fuels in mind.
Turbocharged cars often get better mileage with ethanol blends. This is because the
higher (over 100!) octane of ethanol permits more boost, which means more efficient
fuel usage.

Avoid having to stop when necessary: If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop (because you reach the light after it is green).
Speeding up from 5 or 10 miles per hour will be easier on the gas than starting from
full stop. Anticipate the lights and stop signs. Look far ahead; get to know your usual
routes. You can let up on the gas earlier. Coasting to a stop will save the gasoline
you would otherwise use maintaining your speed longer. If it just gets you to the end
of a line of cars at a red light or a stop sign a few seconds later, it won’t add any
time to your trip. Ditto for coasting to lose speed before a highway off-ramp: if it
means you catch up with that truck halfway around the curve instead of at the
beginning, you haven’t lost any time. (Do not coast to slow down until you’re in the
exit deceleration lane, unless you have checked your mirror to make sure you won’t
interfere with non-exiting traffic in the right-hand travel lane.)

Take off slowly from a full stop: This is one adjustment that will have dramatic
effects on your gas mileage; don’t tear off from a stoplight or stop sign! If you move
out slowly, it will help save you money at the pump. Also, if you are driving a stick
shift, note that 50% throttle at 1200 rpm’s uses less gas than 10% throttle at 2500
rpm’s. As long as the engine is not lugging or pinging, shift as soon as possible and
use plenty of throttle. The engine is more efficient when it does not have to pump air
past a closed throttle plate. Warning: The last part of this advice is only true for fuelinjected
cars or those with constant velocity carburetors.

Park in the first spot you find: If you wander all over the parking lot looking for
that really close parking space, you’ll use more gas. Don’t be afraid to walk a ways if
it comes to that – the walk will do you good!
Stay well away from store fronts Even if there is a space open there, avoid it. If
possible, avoid parking lot lanes that bring you near the stores. You will spend
significantly less time getting in, and less time blocked in because of pedestrians and
other vehicles. More spaces to choose from, and fewer keys and loose carts further
away from the doors, too.

This article has examined mutiple ways to save money on gas. Look for future articles regarding fuel mileage savings or for more information visit our website at http://www.autorepairinmesa.com.

Crucial Tips to See your Gas Mileage Improve

Most of the factors that affect the mileage of a car are in your hands. Thus, if your car is giving low mileage, don’t worry. Just use the following tips and measures to bring consumption to a high that you will be comfortable with. The tips are proven to work and can help you to increase the mileage of your car substantially. Chances are that you are already using some of these tips.

* You must always keep your car tuned up. Bad spark timing, bad spark plugs and incorrect ratio of fuel in the car can significantly affect the gas mileage of the car.

* Do not use the air conditioner of the car unless it is necessary. The compressor of the air conditioner put the extra sprain on the engine thereby reducing the mileage of the car.

* Always make sure that the tires of the car are properly inflated, that is, you must always check for the proper air pressure in the tires as recommended by the tire maker. A flat tire causes greater resistance and hence decreases the mileage.

* Avoid taking the congested routes and avoid taking those routes that has too much traffic and traffic signals.

* You must interact with other people who have the same type of car about the mileage they get with their cars. This may help you to know some common problem in the car.

* You must always use a recommended and good engine oil, most preferably standard oil or synthetic oil, which is treated with friction reducing oil additive. This is a major way of increasing mileage. It is known to have improved the fuel efficiency of cars up to 15%.

* You must reduce the weight of the vehicle as much as possible. You must get rid of the unnecessary and more specifically the heavy items in your car. This significantly raises the mileage of the car.

* You must always maintain you speed at 60 mph. this will improve the mileage of your car by over 25%.

* Avoid accelerating more than required while climbing a hill. This is because your engine is already striving hard for the overcoming the gravity. Accelerating puts extra strain on the engine of the car.

* You must use cruise control each time it is possible.

* When you start the air conditioning system, you must keep your windows closed. Open windows put more strain on the engine, this reduces the mileage significantly.

* You must remove the accessories like the luggage rack, etc. which hinder the aerodynamics of the car.

* Whenever possible you must use the fuel that has the octane level that is exactly as required by your vehicle. The owner’s manuals prescribe specifically which octane level will suit you car more. You must not buy higher-octane fuel unless the engine of your car emits knocking sounds.

* You must beware of the claims about the mileage increasing gadgets. Some of these devices may damage the engines of the cars. This will make you incur more expenditure.

Follow these crucial tips to see your gas mileage improve right before your eyes.

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Vehicle Modification and Fuel Saving Tips

Many of our modern automobile makes have been proven fuel efficient, with these vehicles engineered to solve the problems discovered in past models. However, even old vehicles can still be classified among the numerous fuel saving cars in the industry. One way to do that is by modifying these vehicles with the use of fuel saving devices and elements like electronic ignition systems, fuel catalysts, free-flow air filters, nitrogen gas for tire inflation, and other fuel and lubricating oil additives that can lower engine friction and improve combustion.

Some old vehicle models are still equipped with a contact breaker system. Replacing it with an electronic ignition system can indirectly lower fuel consumption by ensuring that there is consistent amount of fuel burning during the combustion stroke. Compared to the old contact breaker system, the electronic system can guarantee this for a longer period of time, therefore achieving better fuel economy. Installing fuel catalysts into or between the fuel tank and the engine also helps lower fuel consumption by speeding up the chemical reaction during combustion and making the process complete, ensuring that maximum energy is released and that nothing is wasted. Another is replacing old filters with free-flow air filters that can provide better filtration, resulting in more efficient and reduced wear in the engine. Inflating tires with nitrogen gas also keeps tire walls inflated but not permeated, protecting the rims from the corrosion that compressed air can bring. As under-inflated tires usually result in higher fuel consumption, inflating them with nitrogen is not only a protective but a fuel saving move as well. Fuel and lubricating oil additives are also available for the same reason. These are compounds that keep engine friction low and improve combustion operation when added to fuel and oil. When using them, it is important to check the instructions and additive compositions as they can very well damage the catalytic converter when improperly used.

Although all of these can help old vehicles become as efficient as newer ones, there are still products that are merely advertising hype. Most of them claim so much more than what they can actually offer. Going for proven fuel saving products in the market is your best option, although trying new devices from reputed brands is also safe.

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Top 5 Tips – DIY Car Maintenance

Good car maintenance is a prerequisite for a smooth running and a longer life of our prized possessions. While there indeed are automobile service stations to take care of them when they fall sick, you at your end can do a lot for your car’s upkeep and stitch it in time so as to save nine. This post offers 5 essential tips you can implement yourself, and which should pretty much ensure your car’s good health.

1. Check Engine Oil

Critical to an automobile’s lubrication system, the engine oil lubricates a car’s moving parts, cleans and inhibits corrosion, and also cools the engine by carrying heat away from the parts.

To check engine oil, Turn off the car’s ignition. Locate the dipstick, in case you don’t know where it is take the help of the owner’s manual and then remove the dipstick. Most dipstick carry the label “engine oil.”

Wipe off any excess oil and then check dip it another time to see if it reaches the “Full” mark or not. If not then you need to fill up to reach the “Full” mark.

Now, observe the color of the engine oil. A black an opaque appearance means time for a change. Dark brown but somewhat transparent means you’d need to change it after some time. A clear appearance means it’s OK, but be wary if it appears to be whitish, as that might indicate a need for a professional check up.

To replace engine oil, choose the product that’s already inside your car. Pour in slowly allowing it time to settle down. After you’re done, replace the dipstick properly.

2. Check Automatic Transmission Fluid

To run a check for automatic transmission fluid change the transmission lever’s position to Park of ‘P’ position. Locate the transmission dipstick, in case you don’t know where it is take the help of the owner’s manual and then remove the transmission dipstick. Wipe it and dip it again to check the levels.

Also look at the appearance of the fluid. A black fluid with a burnt smell is a sign that it needs a quick change. If its brown in color, then there’s still some life in it. In comparison a newly replaced fluid is red in color.

Aside from the appearance, refer to the owner’s manual as well. As some manufacturers specify the number of miles you can drive before a refill is needed.

3. Check Engine Coolant

This is a simple procedure. To perform the check simply locate the coolant overflow tank and note the levels.

Low coolant level will cause the engine to overheat, which may cause serious damage to the engine. If the levels are between “LOW” and “FULL” markings, then it’s OK. If it’s below the “LOW” marking, then naturally a replacement is needed.

4. Check CV Joint Boots

A majority of modern day automobiles are front wheel drive, wherein a CV joint’s job is to help in transmitting power to the wheels.

To check the CV joint for breakage or damage, you’d need to inspect the internal sides of the wheel. To make it easier for you, first turn the wheel to one side as much as it can turn. Now, look at the inside to inspect the front wheel arch. If your inspection reveals oil or greasing on the boot, it means that it’s broken. If it dry then there’s nothing to worry about. If it’s broken, then treat it as an emergency and arrange for a replacement.

5. Check Tire Pressure

Taking good care of wheels & tires is simple, very basic and very important. The point is to check air pressure without fail at least once a month. It might be a good idea if you purchased a tire pressure gauge, so that you can check the pressure any time by yourself. Another key consideration is to ensure the ideal tire pressure (as has been prescribed by the car manufacturer).

In addition to the basic checks outlined above, don’t postpone going to a professional mechanic if you sense trouble. Further, regular checkups too would ensure that an impending bigger trouble is forestalled before it blows out of proportion.

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Loan Lender – Take the extra mile: Fuel efficiency tips

Increases in the price of gas, accompany the increase in the number of fuel-saving scams.

Continuous increase in the price of gas is common news nowadays. This is accompanied by an upsurge in advertising exposures for “gas saving” gadgets. These products attract potential buyers searching for methods to maximize fuel efficiency.

Hector Milla Editor of the “Direct Auto Loans Lenders” website — http://www.DirectAutoLoanLenders.com — pointed out;

“…There are important procedures car owners can take in consideration to improve gas mileage.  According to the Better Business Bureau, the public should be critical in assessing products that claim gas saving features for vehicle devices or additives for gas and oil…”

There are products that feature gas-saving features that really work.  In addition to that, consumers could be facing a major engine trouble or a nullified creator’s warranty by putting devices to the engine.

Consumers should be wary of these specific advertising slogans: “20 percent fuel efficiency improvement”

A hundred or more devices that feature gas-saving qualities are proven untrue by the Environmental Protection Agency. Worse, there are so-called “gas-saving” devices that may cause a harmful effect to a vehicle’s engine.

Another side effect is more smoke emissions. Examples of these devices are Engine Modifiers, Additives, Fuel Line Gadgets, Liquid Injection, Vapor and Air Release Devices and a lot more.

“Get an additional 4 miles for each gallon with this product”

Consumer testimonials are common in fuel saving ads. Assuming these testimonials are not made up, few consumers test the fuel consumption of their vehicle before putting on the gadget. Therefore, an objective comparison of the fuel consumption before and after the product was added will not be attained.

“Federal Government Approved”

Keep in mind, a government agency never endorses fuel saving devices. Although EPA has assessed potential gas savings but first the product should be evaluated and tested.

The alternative in looking for gas-saving devices, the BBB suggests that the public should take into consideration doing more than one activity that can help conserve gas. The vital way to begin is to concentrate on the gas pump. The consumer should buy only gas as needed. Make sure to review the car manual to know the proper level of octane of the car.

The following are practical tips to conserve gas:

Efficient driving

Just drive reasonably within the speed limit. Remember that speeds of more than 60 miles per hour increase fuel consumption.

Do not do sudden starts, accelerations and stops.  Acceleration should be done gradually. The gas pedal should not be stepped on more than one fourth of the way down. This will allow the engine to function most efficiently. Gas conservation could reach up to 5 percent if sudden stops, jerks and accelerations are avoided.

Make use of gears for overdrive and cruise control as needed. Fuel efficiency is attained when moving on the highway.

Windows should be closed on highways. Windows that are open can create air drag that can decrease the fuel consumption by 10%.

Rough roads should not be taken as much as possible. Dirt, bumps, rough roads and gravels can cause 30% increase in fuel consumption.

Take out unnecessary baggage. The trunk should be kept clean, any gadget, tools or loads that are not needed should be taken out. 100 pounds of extra baggage can affect fuel economy by two percent.

“…The car should always be maintained. The engine should be given a regular tune up, the tires should always have the right air pressure and efficiently aligned, the oil should be changed when needed and air filters replaced regularly. Clogged filters can affect gas consumption adversely by up to ten percent…” added H. Milla.

Turn off the engine whenever there is an opportunity. Idle engine wastes fuel. There are instances where the engine could be turned off; stopping for gas, waiting for someone, changing tire pressure, caught in traffic and a lot more.

Engine warm-up fuel conservation tips:

Lengthy warming up of the engine should be avoided. 30 to 45 seconds should be enough time.

Check if the automatic check is removed after warming up the engine. This is usually stuck which could usually cause poor gas and air combination.

Do not rev the engine. This is usually done before turning off the engine. This causes unnecessary fuel loss and also washes the oil within the cylinder walls. As an effect, there is air pressure loss and consequently fuel loss as well.

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