ñ Read your
owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's
recommended maintenance guidelines and schedules.
Virtually all of your vehicle's mechanical systems can
affect fuel efficiency if not properly maintained. Follow
the manufacturer's recommendations for checking the engine,
cooling and ignition system, brakes, drive-train and
emission-control system.
ñ It is usually best and safer for
you if trained automotive professionals service your
vehicle. They have the knowledge and tools to diagnose and
correct problems. Often they can identify problem areas
before your vehicle breaks down and leaves you stranded.
ñ Replace the air filter as
recommended in your owner's manual. Clogged air
filters lower engine performance and increase vehicle
emissions.
ñ Changing the engine oil and
filters regularly and according to the vehicle manufacturers
recommendations is the best way to keep your vehicle in top
operating condition - better engine performance, more
efficient fuel consumption and protect your engine from
damage. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine,
preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and
carrying away excess heat as well as removing dirt, metal
shavings and other contaminants from the engine.
These impurities are captured in the oil filter.
Top of Page
Do not
ignore your vehicle between these regularly scheduled
maintenance checks.
Pay attention to your vehicle before it
breaks down and leaves you stranded. The
following
items require regular attention.
ñ Monitoring the coolant
and fluid levels for brakes, transmission, and power
steering. Check the coolant overflow tank.
Coolant degrades over time, and it's important to change it
as specified by the manufacturer. Antifreeze concentration
should also be tested every fall so that the engine will be
adequately protected for the winter.
ñ Regularly inspect hoses
and wires for cracks,
check for loose clamps, and check for loose or worn
belts,
ñ Check around the car
and under the engine for fluid leaks. You can often identify the type of fluid that is leaking by
its colour. Oil is black, coolant is a bright greenish
yellow, automatic transmission fluid is pink, and power
steering and brake fluids are clear, with a slight brown
tinge. All of these fluids are oily to the touch.
Regular tire and wheel alignment inspections
are crucial. To
reduce tire wear and support optimal fuel efficiency, have
your wheels aligned and keep tires properly inflated. Proper
wheel alignment reduces rolling inefficiencies as well as
tire wear. Tires must be kept at the right pressure and
rotated regularly. If tires are under-inflated, fuel
consumption can increase significantly.
ñ Measure tire pressure
every month when the tires are cold. Your tires need
special attention during winter. Cold temperatures decrease the
air pressure in tires, which adds to the rolling resistance
caused by snow and slush. Measure tire pressure especially after
a sharp drop in temperature. Don't
forget to measure the pressure of the spare tire.
Recommended pressure for the front and rear tires is
specified on a plate or sticker attached to the edge of the
driver's door, the door post, the glove compartment or the fuel
tank door (the pressure marked on the tire itself is the maximum
pressure and is not likely to be the same as the manufacturer's
recommended pressure.
ñ Check for uneven wear, which can be an indication of chronic
under-inflation or over-inflation, improper wheel alignment or
tire balancing, or a problem with the suspension system.
ñ Check for imbedded stones,
glass or other foreign objects that could work into the tread
and cause a leak.
ñ Wheel alignment should be
checked once a year. Misaligned tires will drag instead of
rolling freely and thus cause problems with the vehicle's
handling and ride as well as reduce fuel efficiency.
ñ Wheels should also be
balanced. A pounding or shaking through the steering wheel
will shorten the life of other suspension components and will
produce uneven tire wear, which will increase fuel consumption.
Tires that are not balanced exhibit a wear pattern that
looks like a series of bald spots.
Brakes are a significant safety feature and need your
constant attention. On a straight, flat and
traffic-free stretch of road, rest your hands lightly on the
steering wheel and apply the brakes gradually. If the
vehicle swerves to one side, one of the brake linings may be
worn more than the other, or the brakes may need adjustment.
Other warning signs that your
brakes need servicing include squealing and grinding noises,
losing braking effectiveness, or a
pulsating brake pedal. If you experience
any of these signals have your
brakes checked immediately and
repair, adjust or replace whatever is
required.
Top of Page
|
