Car care is not about having you part with money on a range of products and service options ? it is about keeping dollars in your pocket and maintaining the value of the investment in your vehicle!



Tune Up Your Engine

Tuning an engine can result in an immediate 4% increase in gas mileage or in other words, a 4% saving in cost at the gas pump.

Even better ? fix misfiring or faulty spark plugs and you can improve fuel efficiency by a whopping 30% - or in other words, save 30% of the cost at the gas pump and it's an immediate saving.

Replace Air Filters

Air filters are essential for the performance of your engine and keeping the essential working parts clear and clean.

Replacing air filters at regular intervals (even those the manufacturer says do not need replacing) is a sure ?fire method in maintaining engine performance and increasing gas mileage. A clogged air filter can cost you 10% of the cost of the gas you put in so it makes sense to check them every 3 months or 3,000 miles.

There is another aspect in connection with air filters ? there are a large number of air filters in a modern vehicle, far more than you may imagine and you should consult your vehicle manual (and the internet as many are in the car but not listed in the manual). Check for air filters controlling the air in the cabin as changing these will improve your passenger enjoyment (though not necessarily the gas mileage).

Check Tire Pressure

Invest in a digital pressure gauge and check your tire pressure every day ? the best time to do so is in the morning when the tires are cold after having been left overnight. Make sure you check the pressure in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and watch out for the different tire pressures to be used when fully-laden and empty.

Maintaining correct tire pressures can save you over 15% in gas efficiency.

Regular Oil Changes

Ensuring you change the oil at regular intervals and using an ?energy conserving? oil will help improve your gas consumption efficiency by up to 2% as well as improving engine performance you will visibly experience when driving. Use the grade of oil recommended by the manufacturer and don't forget to change the oil filters as well as the oil ? usually you should be doing this every 3 months or every 3,000 miles but follow the vehicle maintenance manual instructions.

Following the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions is vital to keep your engine and vehicle performing efficiently and at its best throughout your time of ownership ? keep all the receipts you expend on the vehicle and maintain them in a file all ready for when you come to sell the car as this will be a great selling point to help you leverage more money from the deal.