Five Minutes A Month Will Save Gas And Save Money

Most people don't know that problems with the way their car performs can end up costing them good fuel economy. If the car you drive is not running at its best then you are loosing money and fuel economy every time you drive.

A few simple things to look for on a regular basis may prevent problems with your car can affect your gas mileage. In addition to saving gas by keeping your car running at its best, you might also be preventing costly repair bills in the future.

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.

Although most maintenance should be done by professionals, once each month you should do the following checks to identify and prevent problems that can cost you gas and money down the road: (excuse the pun!)

1. First check your tires. Check for any objects that may have become embedded in the tire causing air leaks. Look for signs of uneven or excessive wear and check the pressure. Keep your tires at the recommended pressure as listed in your owners manual.

2. Check for fluid leaks. Look around the car and especially under the car around the engine. If you see fluid then you should attempt to identify it. One way is by its color. Coolant is a bright yellowish green color, Transmission fluid is usually pink, Oil is black and brake fluids and power steering fluids are generally clear, with a slight tinge of brown . These fluids are all oily to the touch.

3. After determining there are no leaks, check the level of your fluids. Check all of the fluid levels including the transmission fluid the engine oil, the power steering fluid and the engine coolant. Make sure you bring any fluids that are low to their proper level by adding the appropriate fluid. To make sure you are doing this properly Check the owner's manual.

4. Check under the hood for cracked or leaking radiator hoses and cracked or split spark plug wires. Also check for loose clamps and check the battery for any visible signs of corrosion.

5. Check for problems with the brakes. To do this, on a flat straight, stretch of road that is traffic-free, put your hands ever so lightly on the steering wheel and engage the brakes gradually. If the car swerves to the right or the left, one of the brakes may be more worn than the other. It could also indicate that the brakes need adjustment.

6. A similar test as performed to test the brakes can be done to test your wheel alignment. Again this needs to be done on a straight, flat and traffic-free road. Rest your hands very lightly on the steering wheel and drive the car forward at a constant but slow speed. If you feel the vehicle pulling to the right or the left, it is a good indication of poor wheel alignment.

Following these few basic procedures monthly will keep your car running at its peak performance. If your car is running at its peak, it will save you fuel, save you dollars and will help to ensure your safety.

Article Source: http://www.articlemonk.com

Scott Siegel is the author of a 143 page manual of automotive industry insider secrets on saving gas and dollars at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
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