A-Z Tech Auto- Auto Repair & Body Mission Viejo

Here are ways to reduce your fuel costs in your vehicle.

Purchase Fuel Wisely – Save up to 20%

• Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don’t Top Off: Most cars run fine on regular. Check your vehicle owner’s manual to find out what’s right for your car. (See regular vs. premium.) Don’t “top off” at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel cost about 20-cents per gallon less than premium grade.
• Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices are High: Today’s gasolines provide very similar engine performance (although some brands have different gasoline blends that provide other benefits), so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Fuel prices can vary 10% within a few blocks. Avoid filling the tank during high-price periods.

Alter Travel Practices – Save up to 30%

• Use Carpooling / Public Transit / Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of driving alone. Sharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip and may allow you to use the diamond lane.
• Take Advantage of Telecommuting / Telecommunications Technology: Many employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for business, shopping and services when possible.

Drive More Efficiently – Save up to 20%

• Don’t Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and aggressive starts. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 65 instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55 would save 25%.
• Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up to 21%. If it’s cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using the AC.
• Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. Carry the load inside your vehicle if you can. Removing unnecessary weight is better still.
• Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today’s vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can; idling is 0 miles per gallon.

Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive – save up to 50%

• Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as prescribed by the vehicle owner’s manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. Some overlooked maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under-inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13%. When replacing your tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it was new. It’s been estimated that if all Californians properly inflated and aligned their tires, we’d save 300 million gallons of gasoline a year!
• Drive or Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. When purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50%. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle, or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering.

Final Word on Gasoline-Saving Devices

Please also be aware that many companies will try to sell you mileage improving devices. Some claim that they will save you 10 to 50%. We say, “Let the Buyer Beware!

The U.S. EPA and Federal Trade Commission have both said that there are no devices that will boost your mileage any appreciable amount.

This information is presented courtesy of the California Energy Commission.

Travel is expensive enough.  When you need to rent a car, don’t spend money unnecessarily.

Here’s a tip: Don’t rent your car at the airport.  Often it’s cheaper to take a cab or public transportation into the city, where you can avoid extra taxes and user fees that city governments often impose on airport rentals.

You can usually return the car at the airport with no extra charge, as rental companies generally allow customers to drop off their vehicles at a different location.

If you’re staying at a hotel, park at a public lot down the street.  Chances are the rates will be cheaper than the hotel’s overnight parking fees.

Saving on gasoline helps the environment as well as your own personal bottom line.  To minimize the amount of money you pay at the pump, follow these guidelines:

• Maintain your car.  Have us service and maintain your vehicle regularly so it runs as efficiently as possible.  You can help by keeping your tires properly inflated or stop by and we will do it for you.  All these things improve you car’s performance and mileage.
• Get a windshield shade.  Blocking the hot sun in the summer will keep your car’s interior cooler and reduce your air conditioning needs.
• Fill up carefully.  Don’t overfill your tank and allow gas to slosh out.  Tighten the gas caps so fuel can’t evaporate through any gaps.
• Brake with care.  Try to avoid slamming on your brakes.  Once in motion, a car doesn’t burn as much gasoline as it needs to accelerate, so braking unnecessarily can waste gas when you need to accelerate again.  Keep a safe distance between cars and be alert for anything that might cause you to slow down so you can brake early.
• Buy the right gas.  Check your owner’s manual for the correct octane level.  Filling the tank with a higher octane doesn’t usually improve performance, and it generally costs more.  If you need assistance with this, just stop by.