High gas prices can put a strain on the family budget so that’s why we look for ways to conserve on gas. Fuel economy is affected by how freely the vehicle rolls, how well the fuel system operates, and how completely the ignition system burns the fuel. And with today’s cars, if the computer control system that manages the engine operation goes on the fritz--fuel economy goes down the drain. Most of these systems can be kept up to specifications and working correctly through good maintenance. Here are the 4 Car auto parts you need to check regularly.
1.) Spark Plugs
If you want to conserve on gas, the first thing you need to check are spark plugs. Worn spark plugs on the latest computer-controlled engines are usually not the direct cause of a loss of fuel economy because as the plugs electrode gap increases, the ignition system compensates with more voltage to keep fire in the plug. However, increased voltage can cause spark plug wires to overload and fail, resulting in an immediate loss of fuel efficiency.
Vehicle manufacturers sometimes recommend long spark plugs maintenance intervals for their automobiles. Depending on the plug installed at the factory, the recommended replacement interval might be as long as 100,000 miles or as short as 30,000 miles.
2.) Oxygen Sensors
Another important auto part you need to check when you want to conserve on gas is the oxygen sensor. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause serious loss of fuel economy as much as 40%. Without the oxygen sensor signal, the engine computer can’t accurately control fuel mixture. In some cases, the car will seem to be running just fine with the failed sensor, but your expensive gasoline will be burning in the catalytic converter rather than in the engine. Catalytic converter damage can result and your car will spew pollutants.
3.) Engine Filters
Contaminants in the fuel system affect engine performance and can lead to a loss of engine efficiency. To help your fuel system stay clean and lubricated, use fuel cleaners on a regular basis. You also need to replace engine filters at recommended intervals.
4.) Tires
The last thing you need to check to conserve on gas are the tires and tire pressure. Rolling resistance and friction at the wheels are common causes of low fuel efficiency and poor fuel economy. When tires aren’t inflated at the correct pressure, their contact patch expands and friction between tire and road increases. To check tire pressure accurately, you should have a tire-pressure gauge. On most vehicles, recommended tire pressures are listed on the sticker on the driver side door jam, in the glovebox, or in the owner’s manual.
At Meyers Auto Parts, you can find all the products you’ll need if you are aiming to conserve on gas. But what’s great about Meyer’s Auto Parts is we have a wide variety of OEM and aftermarket import and domestic parts. If you don’t know what’s OEM, stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, so you can be sure you’ll get the exact auto parts from your car’s manufacturer.
If you want to conserve on gas, the first thing you need to check are spark plugs. Worn spark plugs on the latest computer-controlled engines are usually not the direct cause of a loss of fuel economy because as the plugs electrode gap increases, the ignition system compensates with more voltage to keep fire in the plug. However, increased voltage can cause spark plug wires to overload and fail, resulting in an immediate loss of fuel efficiency.
Vehicle manufacturers sometimes recommend long spark plugs maintenance intervals for their automobiles. Depending on the plug installed at the factory, the recommended replacement interval might be as long as 100,000 miles or as short as 30,000 miles.
2.) Oxygen Sensors
Another important auto part you need to check when you want to conserve on gas is the oxygen sensor. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause serious loss of fuel economy as much as 40%. Without the oxygen sensor signal, the engine computer can’t accurately control fuel mixture. In some cases, the car will seem to be running just fine with the failed sensor, but your expensive gasoline will be burning in the catalytic converter rather than in the engine. Catalytic converter damage can result and your car will spew pollutants.
3.) Engine Filters
Contaminants in the fuel system affect engine performance and can lead to a loss of engine efficiency. To help your fuel system stay clean and lubricated, use fuel cleaners on a regular basis. You also need to replace engine filters at recommended intervals.
4.) Tires
The last thing you need to check to conserve on gas are the tires and tire pressure. Rolling resistance and friction at the wheels are common causes of low fuel efficiency and poor fuel economy. When tires aren’t inflated at the correct pressure, their contact patch expands and friction between tire and road increases. To check tire pressure accurately, you should have a tire-pressure gauge. On most vehicles, recommended tire pressures are listed on the sticker on the driver side door jam, in the glovebox, or in the owner’s manual.
At Meyers Auto Parts, you can find all the products you’ll need if you are aiming to conserve on gas. But what’s great about Meyer’s Auto Parts is we have a wide variety of OEM and aftermarket import and domestic parts. If you don’t know what’s OEM, stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, so you can be sure you’ll get the exact auto parts from your car’s manufacturer.