Take the Sting Out of Summer Driving

Going on a summer vacation? One way to take the sting out of the cost of summer travel is to make sure your vehicle is road ready and use products that will improve your gas mileage and save you money on maintenance costs. 

Upgrade Your Fluids – Not all motor oils are the same, and many people don’t know how to select motor oil that will help them get optimum performance out of their car. Upgrading your vehicle’s lubricants is often the quickest and cheapest way to improve your car’s performance and reliability.  Improved lubrication with premium synthetic motor oil like Royal Purple frequently translates into improved gas mileage. Individual results will vary, but numerous consumers have seen as much as a 5-percent increase in fuel economy by upgrading lubricants. 

Though there is an initial cost investment in upgrading lubricants, the switch to synthetic can help save owners in the long run. The number of miles between oil changes can often be doubled or even tripled. Extended service intervals, sometimes as much as 12,000 miles between oil changes, keep vehicles out of the shop and save consumers money.  

Simple Steps – It’s easy to forget about the basics of car care, but simple steps like checking your tire pressure and getting a tune-up will improve your gas mileage. Be sure to check what tire pressure your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends. Tires are mass produced for a variety of vehicles, so inflating your tires to the number on the outside wall of the tire is not sufficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by keeping your tires inflated at the correct pressure, can result in gasoline savings up to 12 cents a gallon. 

When you take your vehicle in for a tune-up, ask your mechanic or service adviser to check your oxygen sensor. Oxygen sensors play an important role in your engine’s performance and reducing pollution. Depending on the age of your vehicle, oxygen sensors should be checked and replaced if needed from 30,000 – 100,000 miles. Keeping the oxygen sensor fresh may improve fuel economy as much as 10%-15%.

Whether you’re hitting the road this summer on a trip or daily driving, making sure your vehicle is ready for the road can mean savings even if you’re paying more at the pump.