Can you restore poor fuel mileage and performance with a tune up? It’s a question we get on a regular basis from our customers. Fortunately, the answer to that question is a resounding yes! That’s a very good thing too, because gas is expensive these days.
Every year, most American households spend thousands of dollars a year just keeping the tanks in their vehicles topped off, so anything you can do to help improve your gas mileage is a very good thing that keeps money in your pocket.
Before we talk about the specific ways you can restore poor fuel mileage and performance with a tune up let’s take a step back and start with a more basic question: How often should you have your car tuned up, anyway?
The answer depends on how old your car is. If you have an older vehicle that has a non-electric ignition system, it should be tuned up every ten to twelve thousand miles. If your vehicle is newer and features an electrical ignition and fuel injection system, the range is much broader and less frequent. You can typically go from 25,000 to 100,000 miles between tune ups.
As to the tune up itself, mostly, it’s about inspecting and replacing parts that see a lot of wear and tear. For instance, replacing your fuel filter at regular intervals is one important way you can restore poor fuel mileage and performance with a tune up and doing so will typically give you a 10% improvement to the mileage you get.
Using the oil specified for the make and model of the vehicle you drive can net you another 2%. If our inspection reveals a faulty oxygen sensor, replacing it can give you up to a 40% boost and the tune up itself will typically yield a 4% improvement to overall fuel efficiency.
We’ll also check your tire pressure and make sure your tires are properly inflated which can net you another 3%.
Another thing that many people don’t realize is the fact that your gas cap plays an important role in your gas mileage. If your cap is damaged or missing, it will cause some of the gas in your tank to evaporate, which naturally dents your fuel efficiency.
As good as all of those things are, there are some simple things you can do to help boost your mileage further. One of the most basic things you can do is to clean out your car. If you’re in the habit of keeping scores, or even hundreds of pounds of supplies in your car as many people are, that definitely impacts your fuel efficiency. Also be sure to have your air conditioning system serviced on a regular basis and roll your windows down when you’re not on the highway so you’re not using the AC as much.
The bottom line is, there are plenty of ways to improve your fuel efficiency and save money on gas and regular tune ups are an important part of that equation. Stop by to see us today and we’ll work our magic!
