Are You Ready For The Road?
In Bahrain, ensuring vehicular safety during the hot summer season is crucial. Neglecting routine maintenance may result in severe accidents and costly repairs. Simple checks, such as monitoring tire pressure, coolant levels, and belts, can prevent breakdowns and ensure safety on the highway.
Overtaxing is a common cause of mechanical malfunctions, but it can be entirely prevented with proper maintenance. Avoid risks by ensuring your vehicle is ready for any journey. Your safety deserves the attention.
Fuel Saving Tips
The Car Care Council offers these fuel-saving tips:-
Vehicle Gas Caps
A damaged or loose gas cap, even if seemingly small, can cause significant issues. About 17 percent of vehicles on the road have gas caps that are damaged, loose, or missing entirely, causing the vaporization of approximately 147 million gallons of fuel annually. Inspecting and properly sealing your gas cap regularly helps prevent this unnecessary fuel loss.
-
Under Inflated Tires
Properly inflated tires are essential for optimal fuel efficiency. Driving with underinflated tires creates resistance akin to driving with the parking brake on, causing a loss of one or two miles per gallon. Regularly checking and maintaining correct tire pressure can enhance fuel efficiency, providing a smoother and more economical driving experience.
-
Worn Spark Plugs
Your vehicle’s spark plugs, whether four, six, or eight, endure immense stress with each firing, occurring up to 3 million times every 1,000 miles. This constant use generates significant heat and causes electrical and chemical erosion. A dirty or worn spark plug can result in misfiring, wasting fuel. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines for timely spark plug replacements is crucial to maintain optimal fuel efficiency and engine performance.
-
Dirty Air Filters
A clogged air filter, filled with dust, dirt, and insects, can severely restrict airflow, creating a “rich” fuel mixture where too much gas is burned compared to the available air. This leads to fuel wastage and reduced engine power. Replacing a clogged air filter can significantly improve gas mileage, saving up to 10 percent per gallon. This simple maintenance task can lead to significant long-term savings while boosting your vehicle’s overall performance.
-
Don't Drive Aggressively
Aggressive driving behaviors, such as rapid accelerations and sudden stops, can greatly reduce gas mileage. In fact, aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by up to 33% on highways and 5% on city streets. Adopting smoother driving habits can significantly enhance fuel efficiency.
-
Avoid Excessive Idling
Allowing a vehicle to idle for long periods wastes fuel without providing any mileage. Minimize unnecessary idling and avoid letting the vehicle warm up for more than one to two minutes, as excessive idling leads to unnecessary fuel consumption.
-
Drive the Speed Limit
Maintaining a consistent speed and following the speed limit are crucial for fuel efficiency. Gas mileage decreases quickly at speeds above 60 mph. For every mile driven over 60 mph, fuel costs increase by about 10 cents per gallon. Using cruise control can help maintain a steady speed, improving fuel efficiency during highway driving.
-
Check All Fluids
The first aspect of our preventative maintenance program focuses on your vehicle’s fluids. These fluids are essential for smooth operation and preventing overheating. Most of our fluid change services are quick, so you can return to the road in Chicago, IL, without delay.
Our technicians are here to check and refill your engine oil, automatic transmission fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, power steering fluid, and wiper fluids. We also inspect your radiator to ensure there are no small leaks caused by stones or other road debris.
-
Check Hoses and Belts
Your car’s timing belts are crucial to check during preventative maintenance. Several events must occur for a full revolution of your engine, and these belts ensure they align properly and happen at the precise moment.
If the belts become damaged or break, these events can fall out of sync, causing serious damage to your engine and overall vehicle. Eliot’s Complete Auto Repair guarantees that all your car’s belts are in good condition, ensuring that every event occurs at the right time.
-
Check The Tires
Regular tire maintenance is essential for safe and efficient driving. Start by checking your tire inflation, as maintaining the correct tire pressure is key for optimal performance. Under-inflated tires can reduce fuel efficiency and cause uneven wear, while over-inflated tires can affect traction and handling.
Inspecting the tread pattern is equally important. Look for signs of uneven wear, which could indicate the need for a wheel alignment. Proper alignment ensures that all four tires make consistent contact with the road, extending tire life and improving fuel efficiency. Also, check for bulges and bald spots on the tire surface, as these may signal structural damage or excessive wear that needs immediate attention.