ost Gig Harbor drivers want to save on gas and seek our advice on improving fuel economy. At Mackert Automotive, we are frequently asked, however, if it is really worth the extra effort. Just how much money can Gig Harbor, WA car owners actually save?
The US government has a website dedicated to helping us use less fuel. It presents the cost savings in a way Gig Harbor motorists can relate to and is relevant for all vehicles. Let me give you an example: Having your car engine properly tuned, can save up to 4%. If you're paying three-fifty for a gallon of gas, you could save fourteen cents a gallon.
In today's Mackert Automotive article, we're focusing on the things you can do to improve your carfuel economy driving around Washington. We'll tell you the potential savings per gallon of gas at three dollars and fifty cents, and we'll show a chart that also shows the savings at three and four dollars.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| TUNE UP 4% | .12 | .14 | .16 |
The next item is replacing a clogged engine air filter. Your engine needs enough air to burn fuel efficiently for the best fuel economy. A clean air filter means you get plenty of air. The fact that the air's clean protects your engine. That can save you up to ten percent or thirty-five cents a gallon.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.OO | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| AIR FILTER 10% | .30 | .35 | .40 |
Fixing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve economy by up to forty percent. That's a whopping dollar forty in savings per gallon. Bring your car to Mackert Automotive and we'll check your oxygen sensor.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| FAULTY O2 SENSOR 40% | 1.20 | 1.40 | 1.60 |
Chances are that if your oxygen sensor is kaput your check engine light will come on. Now, there's any number of things that could cause your check engine light to come on besides oxygen sensor problems. But if it's on, get it checked out as soon as you can at Mackert Automotive.
Here's an easy one. Inflate your tires to the recommended pressure. That could save you three percent or eleven cents a gallon. Even a little drop in pressure will bring down your gas mileage, so check your tires every week.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| TIRE INFLATION 3% | .09 | .11 | .12 |
Your car manufacturer has recommended a specific weight of motor oil. The recommendation is based on engine design and will give you the best protection. Using a heavier weight could cost one to two percent in reduced fuel efficiency, or up to seven cents a gallon.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| RIGHT GRADE MOTOR OIL 2% | .06 | .07 | .08 |
Here's one that's free: Take it easy when you drive. Aggressive driving (we've all seen this on Gig Harbor roads), rocketing away from stop lights, standing on the brakes, punching it for lane changes - really takes a toll on your fuel economy.
Cutting out aggressive driving around Gig Harbor can save five percent or eighteen cents a gallon. Now on the freeway it gets really costly: thirty three percent or a buck sixteen a gallon. Think about that - and leave a little earlier.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| DRIVE AGRESSIVELY - MIN. 5% | .15 | .18 | .20 |
| DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY - MAX. 33$ | .99 | 1.16 | 1.32 |
A related item is exceeding the speed limit. For example, if the speed limit is sixty miles per hour an additional five miles will cost seven percent or twenty-five cents a gallon. Fifteen miles per hour will cost you upwards of eighty cents a gallon.
| DOLLARS PER GALLON | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 |
| SPEED LIMIT - MIN. 7% | .21 | .25 | .28 |
| SPEED LIMIT - MAX. 23% | .69 | .81 | .92 |
The last thing we'll talk about is excess weight. Our cars tend to accumulate a lot of things and the weight adds up. Clear out the trunk and only haul stuff when you really need it. For every one hundred pounds you can save two percent or seven cents a gallon.
Sorry honey, your brother can't come with. It'd cost an extra thirty cents a gallon.