How to Keep Your Car in Top Tune

Introduction

Keeping your car in top tune is important. Cars that run inefficiently burn more gas than those that are in tune. A direct benefit of more efficient operation is that you get better fuel economy, which saves money. Plus, cars out-of-tune also have higher tailpipe emissions, so there's an environmental reason to keep on top of this. Keeping your car in top tune can also bring long term benefits. Properly maintained engines may require fewer repairs and last longer, while following a well-documented maintenance schedule can also result in a higher resale value for your car.

By: Ron Cogan

Length: 3:24

Comments: 6

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Tips & Warnings:

Pay attention to the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual. If you don’t have an owner's manual then you can get one at the dealership for your model car.
If your car isn't in top tune, you lose and the environment does too.

How to Keep Your Car in Top Tune

Step1

Realize there's money to be saved through proper maintenance. An out-of-tune car can result in up to a 4 percent fuel economy penalty. A bad oxygen sensor can cost up to 40 percent in reduced efficiency. It's worth the attention.

Step2

Some maintenance can take place in your own driveway, while other more complex procedures need the attention of a trained auto technician. Identify what you can do, such as changing spark plugs, oil changes, filter changes, tire maintenance, and so on.

Step3

Check your oil regularly. Open the hood and remove the dip stick to measure oil level. If it's low, top off with the proper grade oil. Your owner's manual will specify the type of oil recommended for your engine.

Step4

Change your oil and oil filter at specified intervals as called for in your owner's manual. Be sure to dispose of the filter properly.

Step5

Look for an oil that meets the specifications for your engine. Using the incorrect weight oil will make fuel efficiency suffer. An oil with extra cleaning detergents can help make your engine run as cleanly as possible.

Step6

Top off and replace other fluids as called for in your owner's manual including engine coolant, transmission fluid, differential fluid, and brake fluid.

Step7

Spark plugs also need to be changed, although not nearly as often in late-model cars. Again, your car's owner's manual will specify when this should take place.

Step8

Air filters need to be cleaned or replaced periodically so air flow to the engine is not impeded. A dirty air filter can cost up to 2 percent in fuel efficiency. Also change your fuel filter according to your maintenance schedule.

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Comments

DolphinpodP said

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on 5/30/2008 More of a "why to" than a "how to".

Psalmist4M said

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on 5/27/2008 As a women, this is very helpful. My husband usually takes care of my car for me but I've always been independent and wanted to know how to handle things in case he's not around. This a great help...thanks! cherylgoff.com

Fike said

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on 5/25/2008 Thanks for mentioning spark plugs! I overlooked that and it's so simple to do. Appreciate the reminder.

JHUredhead said

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on 12/31/2007 Hi Ron:
I live in Baltimore City and purchased an all-electric Neighborhood Electric Vehicle; the KURRENT. The company that produced it, the American Electric Car Company, is no longer in business. Nevertheless I love my purchase. I am satisfied with its performance. One drawback is trying to understand how the 4 12 volt batteries draw electricity to recharge the 4 batteries. I believe that number 2 and 3 batteries are not getting fully charged like #1 and 4. So, i'm going ti install battery equalizers to even the flow of current while recharging.
Picks of my car are on YouTube (this one movie is when I took 'delivery' 3 Sundays ago).

My car has car insuance (All State) and is registered as the 31st Low Speed Vehicle in the history of Maryland (license plate 000R31).

best, Jay

rjcogan said

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on 12/13/2007 Glad to help. I've found over the years that regular maintenance goes a long way toward bolstering car value. When it's time to sell your old car and move up to a new one, private buyers and car lots pay attention to condition...and condition affects value in the price guides that often influence what others are willing to pay for your car. These days, the fuel efficiency improvements that come with proper maintenance also have a direct impact on monthly operating costs. Saving money is always a good motivator for keeping everything in tune.