Tips for Better Gas Mileage

[Article Manager]

It looks like the days of cheap gas prices are gone. Nissan's use of new lightweight construction materials, low rolling resistance tires, lighter, smaller and more powerful engines enables the driver to achieve the most distance out of the gasoline purchased. Even with all of these sophisticated advances in car design and technology, you can't get the best gas mileage possible without a few simple maintenance steps. By going through these simple maintenance steps you will ensure the best fuel economy possible for the make and model of car that you own. You can make sure that you achieve the best fuel economy by checking/replacing your air filter regularly, and replacing your spark plugs at the vehicle manufacturer's recommended service interval.

AIR FILTER

The air filters function is to prevent any dust particles from entering the engine's air intake system. These particles can be abrasive in nature and lead to premature engine wear and eventual failure. On average, an air filter should be inspected every 10,000 miles and cleaned if necessary. It should be replaced at 40,000 miles. The replacement should occur more frequently if the vehicle is operated in warm and dusty climates or work environments such as sand and gravel pits. For the exact replacement interval, refer to your vehicle owner's manual.

SPARK PLUGS

Spark plugs are a major service component and they continue to be a part that can be easily serviced by an automotive do-it-yourselfer. However, spark plugs have changed in internal design in order to provide longer life and to continue to deliver the expected fuel economy for your car. Today's spark plugs vary in design. The center core can be manufactured using copper core, or platinum technology. Each has its distinct advantages. The copper core plug runs cooler than previously designed plugs, and the most recent evolution, has platinum at the center core to provide a cooling advantage as well as doubling the life of the plug.

Copper core designed spark plugs have a recommended service replacement interval of 25,000 miles. Where the vehicle is equipped with a platinum plug of the manufacturer's original design, it may not have to be serviced until the engine has 60,000 miles. As for the aftermarket designed platinum plug, the recommended servicing is at double the mileage for copper core plugs, or 50,000 miles. In all cases, when the engine is running poorly due to misfiring spark plugs, the plugs should be replaced. Please refer to the vehicle's owner manual for the recommended spark plug change interval.

Contributed by: Speeddoctor