Auto Maintenance for Better Gas Mileage

Proper maintenance on your car when needed is a tremendous gas saver. Tune your engine occasionally and keep your tires aligned and properly inflated at all times. These can improve gas mileage by about three percent.

Also, change the oil regularly. If possible, opt for the oil labeled "energy conserving" to increase gas mileage and reduce emissions. Replace the air filters on a regular basis to enjoy up to a ten percent gas mileage improvement.

Octane Levels and Gas Mileage

When pumping gas, choose the octane level that’s recommended for your car in the owner’s manual. For most automobiles, regular gasoline is recommended. Buying the higher priced premium gasoline will not improve gas mileage or reduce emissions.

Fuel Savings with Additives

Certain fuel additives can help improve gas mileage and reduce emissions. Some fuel additives will increase engine performance by slowing the burning of short hydrocarbons in gasoline and by quickening the burning of longer hydrocarbons.

This helps to eliminate pre and post ignition detonation, giving a more complete fuel burn at the spark on the power stroke. You can also combine a gas additive with an oil additive for even better results.

Though fuel savings are not drastic with each of these steps alone, combining these steps on a regular basis can make a big difference. You’ll be able to enjoy a gas mileage increase and emission reduction without spending thousands of dollars on a new automobile.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

The Harmful Effects of Engine Deposits and What You Can Do About Them

At some point or another we all notice that something is wrong with our vehicles. Whether it’s slow acceleration, poor performance in general, or just the lack of the old get up and go feeling we use to have, our cars just don’t run like they use to.

The reasons for this can be one of many but typically there is one in particular that plagues us all. Out of all the problems a car might face engine deposits are just as sever as any car accident, but for the most part overlooked.

Most drivers won’t even think to give this reason a second thought, they just think their car is worn out and trade it for a new one till the problem comes around again.

Typically only the enthusiasts among us tend to look at engine deposits as the culprit for their beloved vehicles performance drops. The typical driver doesn’t even understand what an engine deposit is. This ignorance can lead to bad things happening to the vehicle.

Engine deposits are what are left over from the process of the engine running. Unless you own one of those fancy battery powered cars chances are you use an internal combustion engine in your mode of transport.

I say mode of transport because this applies to everything that uses this engine type. Regardless of how new or old your engine is it still follows the same mechanical principal.

Fuel and oxygen are injected into the engine, the valves close, a cylinder comes up compresses, and ignites the mix, and then the left overs are sucked out.

This is a fairly old engine design and vehicles from all over the world have been using it for well over 100 years.

Cars have used them solidly since the early 1900′s and even though technology has evolved, it’s still using the same process. By this time you’re asking what’s this got to do with engine deposits? Well I’ll tell you if you will be patient.

Engine deposits are the leftovers from the combustion process left inside the engine, typically ignition waste or oil residue. They just start out as small groupings, sometimes to small to see with the naked eye.

But they build up over time. As the cylinders continue to compress and ignite the mixture that powers your car, waste will start to build on the cylinder heads, and valves. This results in the cylinders not getting as good of compression, and the valves not releasing and extracting as much as they should.

Not to mention what gets deposited in your spark plugs. Combustion residue can also cover these and make the spark less powerful. For those of us who don’t understand car talk, it means that the power and efficiency is decreased.

This turns into a decrease in performance over time and can affect fuel efficiency. Oil deposits also can cause issues over time. These can make it thick, and hard to lubricate your engine properly.

This is also a problem for your vehicle as less lubrication means for friction, friction equals heat, and heat leads to engine damage. That’s why people tell you to change your cars oil every so many thousands of miles.

Deposits can also form in your radiator if you don’t keep it flushed properly. These can inhibit the flow of engine coolant; we all know what happens when engines don’t get enough cooling. It typically ends with fire coming out of places it shouldn’t be coming out of.

There are many ways to keep engine deposits from forming. You can go to your local auto parts store and get some cleaners. These typically work for whatever system you need them to cleanse and basically eat the gunk out.

But some of the cheaper formulas have been known to eat through hoses as well. So pick and choose carefully. Another option is to keep up with your regular maintenance and keep good gas in your tank.

Engine deposits happen to every kind of vehicle whether they are a car or other form of motorized transport. Deposits are often made up of waste from the combustion process or oil residue and can cause severe performance drops if left untreated.

Remember a car is just like a human body, as it gets older you need to do more than just the usual maintenance and exercises to keep it working right. Remember to take care of your vehicle, and drive safe.

Find the best buy and sell SUV, accessories, and new car parts at VehicleRide.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcus_Lim

Synthetic Oil – Does it Really Matter?

Every five or six months, many of us suddenly realize it’s time for an oil change and hurry off to the closest lube shop, or perhaps we’ll try that new place that’s running the $19.99 oil change special.

Or, perhaps you stick with one mechanic because he uses Pennzoil because that’s what good old dad always said to use. Then, in addition to all the choices we’re faced with, now the garages are pushing us to make yet another – synthetic oil or standard oil.

What’s the difference? Does it really matter? "Synthetic" – that sounds like "fake" – but yet they are charging twice as much for the "fake" stuff… Just change the oil already! Who cares!

Who cares? You should. Quality and timely oil changes are the single most important factor in protecting your car’s longevity and reliability – and therefore your pocketbook.

Choosing an oil change simply by price and convenience is much like hitting the drive through for a Big Mac Meal Deal – it’s quick, satisfying, and cheap (relatively) – and you’re on your way again.

Yes, your car is getting a shot of clean oil and a new filter, but will that new oil hold up to the stress that every day use puts on your engine – for the next six months? Could you live on Big Macs for six months? Do you think your body might rebel?

Just like choosing a better-balanced, healthier meal, choosing quality automotive oil takes a little more planning and knowledge. First, read your car’s owner’s manual. If it tells you to use only synthetic oil, the decision is made for you.

If the manufacture recommends synthetic oil, it is because the car’s engine has been precision engineered to require those uniform molecules and standard mineral oil can result in problems. Many cars, however, won’t be so specific, so you will need to do a little more homework.

First, it is important to understand what oil does for your engine. Oil allows the moving parts within your engine to slide together without creating dangerous friction that causes unnecessary wear and overheating.

Traditional motor oils are made from the distillation and refining of mineral crude oil stock, while synthetic oils rearrange these mineral oil molecules into a new product with molecules of a more uniform size and shape and combines them with performance additives that fight off sludge and mineral deposits.

This allows the synthetic oil to withstand extreme temperatures and stay clean longer. Most engine wear occurs during start-up and then again at very high temperatures.

Therefore, the synthetic oil offers greater protection at both ends of the spectrum. Also, because the synthetic oil resists sludge and mineral breakdown, the length of time between oil changes can be increased dramatically.

Second, one should consider what they expect from their engine oil. If an oil change is all about simply keeping your old clunker on the road for a couple more years, standard oil is probably sufficient.

Likewise, if you have just purchased a brand new car and are still in the engine break-in stage (under 5,000 miles), a standard oil is preferable.

However, if you are looking to drastically increase the life of your engine, wait longer between oil changes, operate your vehicle in extreme hot or cold temperatures, or get that extra five or ten horsepower out of your car, synthetic oil is the way to go.

Synthetic oil is undeniably a far superior alternative for most of us. Yes, the oil change generally costs twice as much up front, but that oil will last at least two or three times longer, saving money in the long run.

In addition to the short-term cost savings, your car will thank you for the enhanced protection and will reward you with a longer life, increased power, and reduced maintenance costs.

R. Morris writes for Good Works Auto Repair http://goodworksautorepair.com We provide honest, quality auto repair and preventative maintenance in Tempe and Mesa, AZ http://www.goodworksautorepair.com/locations.php   Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becky_Morris