Everybody has bad automotive habits and its costing you money. Is this because some drivers don’t understand automotive things? Not necessarily, people are so busy that they simply do not have time to fuss over their vehicle or modify their driving technique. We believe there are a few things for you to be aware of and you can save a great deal of money. With the help of the Service Manager at this North Bethesda, MD Nissan dealership, we have put together this article! Enjoy!
Idling
This one may be a given, but it is amazing how much people do it. If you are parked and waiting for something or something, turn off the engine. Restarting your vehicle only takes about ten second worth of fuel. You may wonder if you should idle in cold weather to “get the car warmed up” but the truth is that it is not necessary.
Instead, car manufacturers say that you should just drive a car slowly for thirty seconds after start-up during the cold months. This will actually warm up your car quicker than just letting it sit there. And if you live on a busy street or road where this is hard, then we recommend doing it anyway—other drivers can live with it.
Go slow
Driving quick is a major waste of gas. You could easily gain a whopping 8-10% by slowing down just 10 miles per hour when you are on longer trips. That is right, 8-10% and it’s simple why this is. It takes a lot of energy to move objects through air. See how this is true by putting your hand out the window when you’re driving around. You will feel the force pushing it back. Now multiply your hand’s surface area by about 100 times and you’ll understand how much force the front of your car needs to overcome. Save money and drive slower!
Inflate your tires
AAA says over half of the vehicles on the road have under-inflated tires. Under-inflated tires cost you money in gas mileage and in tire wear. This one is a no-brainer too, you lose about 5 percent gas mileage when tires are low on air. This is a simple situation to rectify, just pump them up!
You hate getting fluids changed
Many people ignore their car’s fluids until they run low and a warning light illuminates. This isn’t prudent. Fluids become contaminated over time and they wear out! It is definitely in your best interest to keep fluids changed and fresh. Your car’s manual will give you a recommended schedule to follow. It’s best that you pay attention to this schedule, particularly with your transmission fluid.
Oil change intervals
Most drivers hold on to the old rule of thumb that states “change your oil every 3000 miles.” That was a good rule-of-thumb years ago but nowadays oils are much better so they last longer. Check the owner’s manual in your vehicle and you’ll probably find that the oil change interval is now 6000-8000 miles.
