WHAT IS FUEL EFFICIENCY

Fuel efficiency refers to how effectively your vehicle converts fuel into the energy that actually powers the vehicle. While shopping for a new vehicle, the fuel efficiency rating is available on the window sticker. The values that are given will cover a range and will be an average based testing. It is nearly impossible to predict the exact fuel efficiency of a vehicle because your own driving habits impact your vehicle’s Miles Per Gallon (MPG).

HOW YOUR DRIVING CAN AFFECT YOUR FUEL EFFICIENCY 

Bad driving habits have an impact on your car’s fuel efficiency. Aggressive driving and speeding is not a way to obtain better fuel mileage. You should observe the speed limit and set your cruise control. Driving at a constant speed keeps you from accelerating when it is not needed, making for a more consistent optimal fuel economy. By removing unnecessary excess weight, you can increase your MPG because your vehicle does not have to work as hard to power itself to move forward. When you idle you can burn a lot of gasoline. This is why instead of idling you should turn off your engine when it is parked. Cold weather and frequent short stops also reduce your fuel economy, since your engine does not operate efficiently until it is warmed up. 

WHAT CAN I DO TO INCREASE MY CAR’S FUEL EFFICIENCY 

Purchasing a vehicle that has a smaller body style, is lightweight, and has a less powerful engine are the first steps you can take to achieving a more fuel-efficient vehicle. If you are able, you should purchase a manual transmission because you are able to get more MPG rather than with automatic transmissions. Typically front wheel drive vehicles, such as cars, get better fuel mileage as opposed to four wheel drive vehicles or trucks. If you are looking for maximum fuel efficiency, hybrid cars offer drivers sufficient gas mileage. Although they have a higher cost upfront, drivers often see the benefit both for them and for their economy. 

WAYS TO GO GREEN

There are various different ways that cars can be greener. The most popular is hybrid electric cars, which run on gasoline but use electricity from a battery to boost their fuel efficiency. Some hybrid cars have the option of running only on electric power but can switch to using gasoline for longer trips or better horsepower. There are alternative fuels that cars can use to help them be greener. Diesels can run on biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil instead of petroleum. Biodiesel is less polluting than petro diesel and is made from a renewable resource. Gasoline cars can be converted to run on ethanol or an ethanol blend, which is made from organic materials instead of petrochemicals. Along with hybrid cars, flex-fuel vehicles are another way of going green. Flex-fuel vehicles are designed to be able to run on gasoline or ethanol or a blend of the two. Green vehicles create less pollution because they do not emit CO2 and other global warming contributors. Green cars are especially beneficial in cities, as they can decrease smog and improve air quality. 

Time for Your Vehicle Safety Inspection for Spring

With the winter season coming to an end, now is a good time to get your spring vehicle safety inspection. People who live in the northern half of the country know that winter can be quite brutal at times. This area typically experiences cold temperatures that will drop down to readings below zero and snow. They can also experience high winds that stirs the snow up to create whiteout conditions and obscure visibility. In order to keep you and your family safe, you should take the time to have your car inspected after having to deal with the blight of winter. The precautions you take could save a life. 

Begin the Journey

The first thing to do is contact your mechanic. If you already have one, then they are already familiar with your car from taking care of your general car maintenance and the occasional car repair. They will have an idea of what parts of your car will need special attention during the inspection. If you do not have a mechanic, look for one that has a good reputation and is known for doing quality work. When you take your car into the auto shop, make sure that you understand the pricing and guarantees offers before you hand over your keys.  Taking your car to a mechanic is your best line of defense in protecting your car.

On to the Appointment

When you get to the auto repair shop, the mechanic will ask you several questions about your car. They will need to know when the last oil change, wheel alignment, or any other car repair occurred and they will need to know what car repairs you have had. You should also convey any performance problems that you may have noticed as of late. They will then take your car in and prepare it for the inspection. If they have access to a scanner, they will connect the scanner to the computer system in your car. This can tell the mechanic much about the health of the car. It will also decipher any error codes that the computer may have generated and inform you of any immediate problems. Your car will be inspected from headlights to taillights, from the engine to the steering and suspension systems, and from electrical system to exhaust system. They will make sure that your car has enough fluids and will top off any levels that are low. 

After the Appointment

After your inspection, be sure to ask the mechanic any questions that you may have. He or she may offer suggestions about fuel efficiency or what to pack for winter safety kits if you need that information. They will let you know when is the next time you should have general car maintenance. Some mechanics may even offer a discount on the maintenance if you have your spring vehicle safety inspection completed by them. You should make sure that you follow the schedule of maintenance tasks that are recommended by the car manufacturer. You can find those in the owner’s manual. Your mechanic will be able to help you develop a schedule that is best for your car. Every car is different, so every car will not necessarily have the same schedule. Some European car models, Asian car models, and other imports may have different parts that may need maintenance on different schedules than some domestic cars. Be sure to check with your manual and your mechanic. 

Do not Panic, it is Just the Service Engine Soon Light

One day, you could be driving along and all of a sudden, your service engine soon light comes on. The first thing that crosses your mind may be the cost that is going to be involved with whatever needs to be repaired. The next thing that crosses your mind may be the cause of the light coming on. What could be wrong with the car that made that light come on when it did? How soon should I take it to a mechanic? Once you find out the basics of this light, you will feel more confident on how to handle this problem when it appears.

What is the Problem?

Before you can determine what is wrong, you must first understand what the service light means. The service light is often confused with the check engine light. The check engine light is a light to alert you to a possible problem with the exhaust system, particularly the emissions. It will let you know that there is an increased concentration of carbon monoxide that is being emitted through your exhaust system. The service engine soon light can cover a myriad of problems, from minor to major. Once you have determined that it is the service engine light that is illuminated and not the check engine light, you will have to perform an inspection to determine where the problem is located. 

How Much Time Do I Have?

Your service engine light should not be considered a panic button. Just because the light says soon does not necessarily mean that you will need to make a repair soon. It would be wise to have a thorough inspection done to determine if you have any serious problems. One thing you can do as soon as possible is to perform fluid checks. Make sure that you have enough engine oil, windshield wiper, transmission, and brake fluids. Top off any levels that are low and check for any leaks or signs of wear or damage. You can also check the steering and suspension, exhaust, and electrical systems. The severity of the problems found during the inspection would determine the urgency of the repairs that are needed. Any leaks and clogs should be remedied as soon as possible, as these issues can severely affect the safety of the car. For instance, a leak in the brake line could cause the brakes to fail, resulting in an accident. If your car has a leak somewhere, you should not drive it until you get it fixed.

Do I Need a Professional?

It is always best to hire a professional. Some repairs, such as engine replacement, are heavy jobs that would be very hard for a person to do in their garage. It is wise to take your car to a mechanic to have a vehicle safety inspection done. The mechanic can connect your car to a computer and run various diagnostics tests to determine the origin of the problem. The computer will read any error codes that may have been generated by your car’s computer. They will also do a physical inspection, top off any low fluids, and give you a more complete picture of the health of your car. With the spring season approaching, they can also give you some recommendations of how you can prepare your car for those longer road trips. 

WHAT IS YOUR VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Your vehicle’s suspension system is often one of the things that is “out of sight and out of mind”.  However, every time you drive or ride in a vehicle, the smooth ride and that you appreciate is thanks to that unsung hero; the suspension system.  In addition to a smooth riding experience, the suspension system makes for a better driving and handling experience.  

WHAT ARE THE PARTS OF YOUR VEHICLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM?

The three primary parts of the suspension system are the shocks or struts and springs.  Together they buffer the vehicle and occupants from irregularities in the road surface. Most vehicles do not have both shocks and struts. Newer models usually have struts.  There are many different types of shocks, including foam cell, coilover, dual-tube and monotube. There are two primary types of springs.  The traditional coil style spring is satisfactory for most vehicles.  If your driving frequently involves more challenging roadways or if you have a bigger vehicle, a leaf style spring may be warranted. The spring’s function is to keep the vehicle at an acceptable height off the road when traveling along uneven surfaces and to support its weight.  The spring takes the initial impact when you hit a bump. The shocks help to dissipate the impact of the bump so your tire doesn’t continue to bounce and they keep the wheel in contact with the road. 

SYMPTOMS OF SUSPENSION SYSTEM ISSUES

With the exception of some off-road experiences, in modern-day vehicles we all expect a smooth ride.  That expectation makes it easy to recognize an issue with a vehicle suspension system.  The most common symptom is bouncing.  By the time the issue is significant, any bump that you encounter will be magnified and your vehicle will react with a pronounced bounce that will be noticeable to passengers. Early on, there may be barely noticeable steering issues; more play in the wheel or a feeling of looseness when turning. This will gradually worsen as the wear and tear on the system becomes more severe. In rare cases, your vehicle may appear to be tilting to one side when parked on a level surface or you might hear a screeching sound when driving at low speed. Because the degradation of the suspension system is often gradual, the changes in handling, braking, and ride may not be obvious to you.  That is why routine maintenance and checks of this system are important to maximize effectiveness. 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN YOUR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Like many other parts of your vehicle, routine wear and tear will eventually wear out components of the suspension system. Driving on very rough surfaces or frequently hitting potholes will likely shorten the life span of your suspension system.   Even if you don’t drive extensively, time can take a toll on your struts, shocks, or springs. When your suspension system is not routinely checked and parts replaced as needed, your vehicle may not handle as predicted.  A compromised suspension system can do three things.  One, it may lengthen the time needed to come to a full stop.  Two, it might result in less effective steering when a quick maneuver is required.  Three it could even increase your chances of a roll over when a rapid turn is executed.  Consult with one of our trusted mechanics who can provide valuable advice about maintaining your suspension system.