Welcome to our March 2024 blog from John's Automotive Care El Cajon. As we spring forward this month, it is an excellent time to start boosting your vehicle’s MPG for the spring and summer road trips ahead. Boosting your fuel economy helps both your wallet and the environment. Not only does it save you some 'green' in terms of cash, but it also keeps the environment a bit greener by reducing emissions. In this blog, we will cover all the basic helpful strategies to help you boost your vehicle's MPG. So, let's dive in!

Regular Maintenance

Consistent and comprehensive care is necessary for the efficient operation of your vehicle. At John's Automotive Care, we emphasize a comprehensive approach:

Oil and Coolant Check: 

It's a good idea to get under your vehicle's hood and inspect the oil and coolant levels, especially before a road trip or each month. Low levels of either can lead to engine problems if not checked. Refer to your owner's manual to locate both for your specific vehicle.

Oil Changes: 

The oil in your vehicle's engine serves many functions: it lubricates the parts, helps act against debris, cools the engine, reduces wear and tear, and prevents engine corrosion. Keeping it clean is vital for good engine health. Depending on your vehicle and what oil you're using, you may need to change the oil and oil filter as much as every three months or 3,000 miles. Check your vehicle owner's manual and consult our professional team to determine what is appropriate for your vehicle.

Air Filter Replacement: 

A clean air filter is crucial for optimal airflow to the engine. By ensuring that your air filter is flowing correctly, you can improve your fuel efficiency, reduce your emissions, and help ensure the longevity of your engine. This can be done quickly at home, so check your owner's manual for instructions and how often it needs to be changed.

Tire Pressure Monitoring: 

Tires are crucial to a safe, fuel-efficient ride, so make it a habit to inspect your tires. Check the pressure in your tires every month, before long trips or carrying an extra load. A tire pressure gauge will be needed to check your tire pressure. Also, during the colder months, note that tire pressure drops one pound with every 10-degree decrease in pressure. Your owner's manual will tell you how much air pressure your tire needs. For a wear check, you can check your tread depth using the simple penny method.

Brake Inspection and Maintenance: 

Well-maintained brakes ensure your safety the vehicle's overall stopping efficiency. Dragging or poorly adjusted brakes can lead to increased fuel consumption. 

Tires

Tires play a significant role in your vehicle's fuel economy.

Proper Inflation: Maintaining the correct tire pressure minimizes resistance, enhancing your vehicle's fuel efficiency.

Regular Rotation and Balancing: This helps in even tire wear, extending its life and aiding in fuel efficiency.

Choosing the Right Tires: Some tires are designed for better fuel efficiency. Consult our experts at John's Automotive Care for recommendations.

Driving Habits

The way you handle your vehicle has an impact on its MPG. By embracing smarter driving habits, you can significantly improve your vehicle's efficiency:

Acceleration: Abrupt starts and stops are major fuel drainers. By accelerating gently and slowly, you can maximize your fuel consumption. Smooth acceleration is fuel-efficient and reduces wear and tear on your engine and brakes.

Speed: Maintaining a reasonable speed is more fuel-efficient than continuously changing your speed. Quick accelerations and slowdowns lead to excessive fuel burn. Keeping a steady pace not only saves fuel but also improves the overall safety of your drive.

Cruise Control: When driving on highways, cruise control can be a great tool to utilize. It helps maintain a constant speed, effectively reducing fuel consumption over long distances. It removes the variability of manual throttle control, ensuring a more consistent and economical fuel use.

Traffic Flow: Understanding the flow of traffic conditions and expecting stops and starts can decrease excessive braking and acceleration. This helps for softer driving, which in turn saves fuel.

Idling: Idling for long periods can consume more fuel than restarting the engine. Turn off your engine when you're not moving for long periods.

Weight and Resistance

Extra weight and aerodynamic drag can decrease fuel efficiency.

Reducing Load: Remove unneeded items from your vehicle. One hundred pounds could reduce your MPG by about 1%.

Aerodynamics: Avoid keeping items on the roof rack. Also, keeping windows closed at high speeds helps maintain better aerodynamics.

Use of Features and Accessories

Air Conditioning: Use it wisely, as it can raise fuel consumption.

Engine Idling: Turn off the engine if you're idling for over a minute. 

Plan Your Route: Plan efficiently using your GPS. This can reduce excessive driving and save fuel.

Alternative Transportation Modes

Using your vehicle less can significantly impact fuel consumption, your health, and the environment. Here are some other ideas to consider:

Walking is great for very short distances; walking is zero-emission and a great way to stay active and healthy.

Biking: Bicycling is an efficient and environmentally friendly option for moderate distances. It's much faster than walking!

Public Transportation: Taking the buses, using trains, or subways for traveling can significantly reduce your carbon footprint, lower fuel costs, and decrease road congestion.

Incorporating these alternative modes into your routine can benefit personal health and the environment.

Upgrading to a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle

When looking for a new vehicle, considering fuel efficiency is essential. 

Hybrid Engines: These vehicles combine traditional engines with electric engine power, making them have better mileage and reduced emissions.

Electric Vehicles (EVs): Fully electric vehicles are becoming more popular, offering a zero-emission driving experience and lower costs. With the growing infrastructure for charging stations, EVs are becoming more practical for many consumers.

Advanced Fuel-Efficient Gas and Diesel Engines: New technologies in gasoline and diesel engines, like improved aerodynamics, lighter materials, and engine downsizing, have led vehicles that consume less fuel without sacrificing performance.

Choosing a fuel-efficient vehicle is not just a financially intelligent decision but also helps with global environmental consciousness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving natural resources.

At John's Automotive Care in El Cajon, we are committed to helping you achieve your vehicle’s best performance and fuel efficiency. Remember, every small change adds to a more significant impact on both your wallet and the environment. Drive smart, save fuel, and enjoy the journey!

John’s Automotive Care El Cajon is your trusted destination for reliable auto repair services. Our team of skilled and experienced auto mechanics is dedicated to providing exceptional service to our community. Located in El Cajon, California, we proudly serve customers in the surrounding areas with a commitment to delivering top-quality repairs and maintenance. Whether you need routine maintenance or complex repairs, you can rely on us to handle your vehicle with a steady hand and keen attention to detail. As a AAA-certified facility that is Certified Green Business and Napa Auto Care Gold-Certifed, we strive to exceed customer expectations and ensure your satisfaction. At John’s Automotive Care El Cajon, we value clear communication and transparency, providing straightforward explanations and recommendations to help you make informed decisions about your vehicle. We understand the importance of reliability, so we offer a comprehensive warranty for your peace of mind. We aim to build long-lasting customer relationships based on trust and exceptional service. When you choose John’s Automotive Care El Cajon, you can rest assured that your vehicle is in expert hands. Contact us today or schedule an appointment and experience the difference of working with our dedicated team of professionals.