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Viewing Do You Want to Save Money on Gas? Take Care of your Oil!Do You Want to Save Money on Gas? Take Care of your Oil!
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A vehicle that performs at its peak will realize the best fuel economy. For that reason, proper management of the oil in your engine is a critical component of good fuel economy. This article explains why this aspect of maintenance is so important. By Scott Siegel A vehicle that performs at its peak will realize the best fuel economy. If something interferes with peak performance, it will decrease gas economy and will cause you to use more gas and spend more money. For that reason, proper management of the oil in your engine is a critical component of good fuel economy. A regularly scheduled oil change should be one of the priorities for maintaining your car. Changing the engine oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations is essential to keeping your vehicle in top operating condition and keeping your fuel economy at its best. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Another major function of oil in your engine is to remove dirt, metal shavings, and other impurities, which are then captured in the oil filter. In addition to negatively affecting fuel economy, neglecting the oil in your car could lead to replacing the engine itself. You should follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule for oil changes. If the manufacturer says to change the oil every three thousand miles or every three months, do it. If oil is not replaced at the proper time, it becomes saturated with impurities that it is supposed to remove from the engine. Once it becomes saturated with these impurities, sometimes called dirty oil, it will be less efficient in doing its job. That will cause the engine performance to decline and your fuel economy will decline with it. Another facet of proper oil care is to make sure that you are using the right grade of oil. You should use the grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual. The fuel efficiency of the engine can improve as much as 2% versus using the wrong grade oil, especially when starting in cold weather. Using the wrong grade of oil may cause your car to run poorly as the weather changes. The wrong grade will get thick and heavy in cold weather. Oil that is too thick and heavy requires the engine to work harder because the oil's resistance is greater. The harder the engine works, the more gasoline it will use. The wrong grade of oil can cost you 1% to 2% of your gas economy. As an example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2%. For best engine performance, fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions, use only the oil recommended in the owner's manual. Many car owners neglect the proper routine of oil changes. Do not lose gas mileage and money by putting it off. Make sure that your oil is changed at the correct time, and make sure the right grade is used. This simple routine will help you to control your gas costs. About the Author: Scott Siegel is the author of a 143-page manual of industry insider secrets on saving gas and dollars at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit his website to discover how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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