How to Save Gas and Save
Money With a Few Simple Monthly Checks
By
Scott Siegel
http://www.beatthegaspump.com
How to Save Gas and Save Money With a Few Simple Monthly
Checks
Most people don't realize that even small problems with the
way their car is running could be costing them fuel economy.
If your car is not running at peak performance then you are
loosing gas and money every time you drive it.
Many problems with your car can be corrected or identified
with some simple things you can do on a regular basis. Not
only will you be saving gas by keeping your car running at
its optimum, you may also be heading off costly repair
bills.
More important than either of these is that you will be
keeping your car as safe as it can be. You may prevent a
critical failure that could result in an accident.
Most maintenance should be left to the professionals.
However, once a month you should perform the following
checks to help identify and head off problems that can cost
you fuel and money down the road:
1. Check tire pressure and look for signs of uneven wear or
embedded objects that can cause air leaks. In winter, check
tire pressure whenever there is a sharp change in
temperature.
2. Check around the car and under the engine for fluid
leaks. You can often identify the type of fluid that is
leaking by its color. Oil is black, coolant is a bright
greenish yellow, automatic transmission fluid is pink, and
power steering and brake fluids are clear, with a slight
brown tinge. All of these fluids are oily to the touch.
3. Check fluid levels, including engine oil, engine coolant
level, transmission fluid and power steering fluid,
according to the instructions in the owner's manual.
4. Check under the hood for cracked or split spark plug
wires, cracked radiator hoses or loose clamps and corrosion
around the battery terminals.
5. Check for problems with the brakes. On a straight, flat
and traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on
the steering wheel and apply the brakes gradually. If the
vehicle swerves to one side, one of the brake linings may be
worn more than the other, or the brakes may need adjustment.
6. Use a similar test to check for problems with wheel
alignment. On a straight, flat and traffic-free stretch of
road, rest your hands lightly on the steering wheel and
drive at an even speed. If the vehicle pulls to one side,
the wheels may be misaligned.
These are the basic things you can check on your car
monthly. Doing this will keep your car running at its best.
A car that is running properly will save you gas, save you
money and keep you safe!
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Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of industry insider information
on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how
you can get better gas mileage.
Find out how to increase gas
mileage.
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