Basic car maintenance improves fuel economy

Keeping your car properly maintained can improve fuel economy by 4% and fixing a serious issue, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve mileage by up to 40%.

According to Barend Smit, marketing director of MotorHappy, most consumers are adopting fuel-saving strategies such as driving more efficiently, choosing a more economical vehicle, combining trips, carpooling and ditching unnecessary weight in the car.

“Take these money-saving strategies one step further by keeping basic car maintenance top of mind,” said Smit.
Smit said fixing a car that has a noticeable problem can improve fuel consumption and that results vary depending on the type of problem.

“Repairing any alignment or brake problems would also improve petrol consumption,” explained Smit.

He issued a few additional tips that will help save petrol:

• Properly inflate tyres and check tyre pressure at least once a month.
When tyres are inflated correctly, your car’s weight is distributed evenly, improving fuel economy as well as increasing the life of your tyre.

When your tyres are under-inflated, they are softer and therefore have a greater ‘footprint’ on the road.
This creates more friction between the road and the tyre and the vehicle needs to use more energy to keep moving.

ALSO READ: A teacher with a passion for cars

• Use the correct motor oil for your vehicle.

Use your car manufacturer’s recommended grade of oil for your vehicle. Also, look for oil that says it is energy conserving.

• Replace clogged air filters.

A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your car’s engine, making it work harder and therefore, using more fuel.

• Make sure the petrol cap is properly secured.

Damaged or missing petrol caps allow petrol to escape and vaporize.

Smit said any car maintenance will save your money in the long run and to see a difference in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, you will have to combine strategies, from improving your driving to committing to regular car maintenance.

“The key to good engine performance is car servicing and maintenance as per the manufacturer’s instructions, or when it’s clear something is not quite right with the engine.

“As well as saving money on petrol, you save money in the long run by avoiding more serious problems that might arise if you neglect car care.

“Taking care of basic car maintenance prolongs the life of your car and improves sales value, but maintaining your vehicle also has hidden rewards that become more noticeable when you’re tracking fuel consumption,” he concluded.

ALSO READ: Top 10 used cars South Africans are likely to buy