Motoring corner:“Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned”

A vehicle is one of your most expensive assets. Basing on its “life expectancy” (period of service), you need to get the most out of it. The best way of keeping your motor vehicle running smoothly and cheaply is to keep it in the best of conditions. Fixing a vehicle that is noticeably out of tune or has high exhaust emissions can improve its fuel consumption by an average of 4 percent, though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done. One of the basic tips is the upkeep of the vehicle. Keep both the interior and exterior of your vehicle clean; if possible, give your engine regular washes (done by experts). Avoid pouring water into engine parts as that could cause short circuits or condensation in some parts. It is better you get an expert car washer or follow your manufacturer’s manual. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. In most modern cars, there is this “Check Engine” indicator on the dashboard, always make sure that it is off, It could light up for a number of reason, when it does, always contact your vehicle’s specialised dealer of service centre to have it addressed. This could originate from a host of problems like; bad plugs, poor emissions, unfastened petrol tank cap, poor quality or old engine oil, etc. Keep Tyres Properly Inflated; You can improve your fuel mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tyres can lower gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tyres. Properly inflated tyres are safer and last longer. The proper tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the drivers side door jamb or the glove box and in your owners manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tyres sidewall. Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil; You can improve your gas mileage by 1–2 percent by using the manufacturers recommended grade of motor oil. For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your petrol mileage by 1–2 percent. Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1–1.5 percent. Also, look for motor oil that says Energy Conserving on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives. Replacing a Clogged Air Filter on Modern Cars Improves Performance; A new study shows that replacing a clogged air filter on cars with fuel-injected, computer-controlled gasoline engines does not improve fuel economy but it can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent. This kind of engine is prevalent on most petrol cars manufactured from the early 1980s onward. Tests suggest that replacing a clogged air filter on an older car with a carburetted engine may improve fuel economy 2 to 6 percent under normal replacement conditions or up to 14 percent if the filter is so clogged that it significantly affects drivability. motoringcorner@live.co.uk

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Motoring corner:“Keep Your Engine Properly Tuned”