Regular Engine Maintenance Improves Gas Mileage

For quite a few years now, gasoline prices have steadily increased, and there seems to be no relief coming in the near future. These higher prices, combined with the ever-increasing popularity of larger utility vehicles, has popularized the question, what can I do to my engine to improve my gas mileage? Most people understand that regular vehicle servicing like oil changes and tire rotations need to be performed on their vehicles. They understand that these things ensure their vehicle keeps operating correctly, but they do not know what else they should do to lengthen it's life. There are many other small services the average consumer can do, or afford to have done regularly, that not only lengthen the life of their vehicle but also improve gas mileage at the same time.

One answer experts would give when a consumer asks, what can I do to my engine to improve gas mileage? is to change other filters besides the oil filter which gets changed with regular oil changes. One of these filters is the engine air filter. The engine air filter is most often made from paper and blocks harmful debris from the road, such as sand and leaves, from entering the air intake of the engine. If this filter gets clogged with sand and other debris, the engine's performance will suffer. This will adversely affect fuel economy, costing the consumer considerable money at the gas pump over time.

Another filter that can be changed at regular intervals in order to increase fuel economy is the fuel filter. Although it sounds quite obvious, many people do not understand how important this may be or even know that their vehicle has one. The fuel filter keeps unwanted silt that may collect in the bottom of the gas tank from reaching the injectors. Fuel injectors need to spray fuel evenly for good engine performance. When dirt and silt stops this from happening, engine performance will suffer as will the vehicle's fuel economy. One also may consider some of the synthetic fuel additives and fuel injector cleaners for sale on the market as well. These keep these fuel components clean and operating correctly. They are very good answers to the question, what can I do to my engine to improve my gas mileage.

Another suggestion most experts would give when addressing this important question, what can I do to my engine to improve my gas mileage? is to consider using synthetic fluids rather than conventional, petroleum based fluids. For example, traditional oils, when used in one's engine or transmission, break down faster over time. They also leave behind far more byproducts, commonly know as hydrocarbons. This lubricant breakdown can lead to a sludge building up inside the vehicle's engine or transmission, hurting their performance, and thereby, hurting the fuel economy of the vehicle. This can also lead to premature repair to the vital parts of these components which also costs the consumer ample amounts of money over time. These are just a few of the more common ways to protect ones engine and increase fuel economy in these tough economic times.