With the price of gas these days, it's tempting to swap your ride for a more fuel-efficient model. But a bit of DIY maintenance on your existing car or truck can reduce you’re fuel consumption for a lot less money.
Here are 5 easy and inexpensive do-it-yourself projects that can boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to increase your car’s miles per gallon is by ensuring clean and unobstructed airflow to the engine. At the heart of this is the air filter.
The engine air filter keeps dust, dirt and other airborne debris from entering the engine while it's running. Over time the filter becomes clogged with the contaminants it pulls from the atmosphere, forcing the engine to expend more energy – and fuel – to draw in the air it needs.
It's easy to check the engine air filter's condition. Just open the air filter housing, typically a plastic box in front of or to the side of the engine. A clean filter will appear white or bright yellow, so if yours looks gray, brown or black, it's time for a replacement.
Spark plugs play a pivotal role in fuel efficiency. While you're driving, these little powerhouses are firing hundreds of times every minute to keep the engine running clean and strong. But they eventually wear out or become fouled, leading to incomplete combustion, which forces the engine to use more fuel to produce the same power. Other signs of worn spark plugs include difficulty starting, misfires and a rough idle.
Fortunately, replacing spark plugs is a manageable DIY task. But before you start, it's important to consult your vehicle's owner's manual for your car’s proper spark plug type and gap setting. Both are crucial for efficient combustion. Additionally, take care to tighten the new spark plugs to the manufacturer's recommended torque. Over-tightening can damage the plugs, while under-tightening can cause poor performance.
This is also a good time to inspect the spark plug wires for signs of wear. Cracked or damaged wires can result in a weak spark, leading to inefficient combustion and poor mileage. If your wires show any signs of deterioration, go ahead and replace them, too.
Dirty fuel injectors can be the source of poor fuel economy. Working properly, injectors deliver fuel to each cylinder in a precise, controlled manner. But with time and age, they can become clogged with deposits, leading to poor fuel atomization and less efficient ignition.
If you suspect your engine has dirty injectors, try adding some fuel injector cleaner to your next tank of gas. This will help dissolve deposits in the fuel system, restoring more efficient spray patterns. If that doesn't do the trick, you can also remove the injectors to clean them, however, this is a much more involved process.
Tires tend to lose air pressure over time, which makes them squishier and harder to roll. When that happens, the engine has to work harder to move the car, using more fuel. It also causes your tires to wear faster. But before springing for expensive new rubber, make sure your current tires are inflated to the proper pressure.
Check your tire pressure level on a regular basis. Once a month is a good cadence. All it takes is a quality tire gauge and a few minutes of your time. Be sure to check the owner's manual or the sticker inside you driver’s door jamb for the recommended pressure level, usually between 30 and 40 psi. Also, since tires heat up with use increasing the pressure inside, it's best to take the measurement when the tires are cold.
The thermostat helps to keep the engine at its optimal temperature by controlling the flow of coolant. With age, though, a thermostat can lose its responsiveness or even become stuck open, causing the cooling system to run at full tilt even when it's cold outside. This can prevent the engine from ever reaching its ideal operating temperature, sapping efficiency.
An engine runs best at a specific temperature, usually between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Above that range, it can overheat and warp. Below that range the engine loses both power and efficiency.
Replacing the thermostat varies from one car to the next, but it's usually a pretty simple job. It typically involves draining some coolant, opening the thermostat housing, taking out the old thermostat and replacing it with a new one. While you're at it, inspect your coolant, too. Fresh coolant can improve the effectiveness of your cooling system, which enhances fuel economy and prevents long-term engine damage.
Final Thoughts
You might be surprised how something as simple as changing an air filter or properly inflating your tires can help your vehicle go longer between fill-ups. By taking these measures, you're not just saving money at the pump. You're also improving your car's performance and reducing its environmental impact.
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