Get Higher Gas Mileage by Maintaining Your Car ( Part 2 of 2 )

Now every 3,000-Miles or Three Months which ever comes first take your car in to get it serviced:  Go ahead and change your engine oil and have them do a complete check of all of your fluids plus your tire pressure to make sure that the other fluids are good and that the tire pressure is set prefect also just in case you have a nail or a problem then they will find it out at the mechanic shop, or if you work on your car yourself to make sure to do a complete check list on it.

Now oil and transmission Fluid are one of the main things for the car and the most expensive parts to be changed.  So it is a good idea to make sure you keep your car maintained so that you will not have any problems in the future and to prevent expensive repairs when your car reaches a higher mileage.

Every Six Months: I would defiantly check my windshield wipers, since it is rubber the sun and smog will ware the rubber and it will not work properly.  Or if you decide not to change it during the summer time defiantly change it when winter comes around because it will rain a lot and you don’t want to get stuck somewhere also you want to be safe and not get in an accident for something that will not cost you a lot.  I do recommend that you change the wiper with the original ones from the dealer because they work the best, they last the longest, and they won’t make any noise or fall apart after so many months.  The reason I say not to get aftermarket is because they will change the original wiper and put aftermarket on and then you will use it and later find out that it is not working that good.

You can also find really good articles and info on 104Inc or you can also go to 104Automotive.com or 10mechanic.com and more at 104Inc.com you can find anything you need in your daily life.

Now overall there are 3 factory services that should be done at certain mileage.

First one is a Minor Service done every 7,500 miles:  This service is basically an oil change, rotate tires, ck all fluids, and ck the tire pressure.  Usually the dealers or certain mechanic shops will also steam clean the engine so that it stays clean.

Second is an Intermediate Service done every 15,000 miles:  this service has everything that the Minor Service has plus on certain models you would change the transmission fluid + Valve Cover Gaskets.

Third is a Major Service done every 30,000 miles.  This has everything that the Intermediate Service has plus depending on the make and model of your car things will be different.  But in general you would change the Distributor Cap & Rotor + Spark Plugs + Air Filter + Fuel Filter + Coolant Flush + Brake Fluid Flush.

Now basically this is a good overall procedure of what you would have to do to keep your car in tip top shape so that it runs at its best performance and you get the best gas mileage on the car.  But the main thing is that the car will be reliable and won’t leave you stranded in the middle of no where.

Study: Higher Fuel-economy Standards Won?t Hurt Vehicle Safety

A new study released at a major policy briefing by the International Council on Clean Transportation has found that a significant increase in fuel-economy standards for vehicles is achievable without affecting vehicle safety. The study is critical especially now that Congress is mulling over making changes in the America’s motor vehicle fuel economy requirements, known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards.

“As nations around the world consider new standards to improve fuel economy or lower greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles, it’s important to address a common misperception that passenger safety is inevitably compromised as fuel standards are strengthened,” said Drew Kodjak, executive director of the International Council on Clean Transportation. “This debate only exists in the United States, and this report settles that debate once and for all.”

The study, “Sipping Fuel and Saving Lives: Increasing Fuel Economy without Sacrificing Safety,” was written by Deborah Gordon, a transportation policy consultant; David L. Greene, a fuel-economy policy expert; Marc H. Ross, emeritus professor of physics at the University of Michigan; and Tom P. Wenzel, of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Among the study’s key findings is that manufacturers can use advanced materials to increase both fuel economy and safety without reducing a vehicle’s functionality. The study also found that reducing the weight and height of the heaviest SUVs and pickup trucks will simultaneously increase both their fuel economy and overall safety.

“The public, automakers, and policymakers have long worried about trade-offs between increased fuel economy in motor vehicles and reduced safety. The conclusion of a broad group of experts on safety and fuel economy in the auto sector is that no trade-off is required,” the study concludes. “There are a wide variety of technologies and approaches available to advance vehicle fuel economy that have no effect on vehicle safety.”

The study’s authors concluded that:

• Most technologies to increase fuel economy do not affect safety; most technologies to increase safety do not affect fuel economy.

• Reducing car mass while improving vehicle structure, using advanced materials and designs, can simultaneously increase fuel economy and safety.

• Reducing the weight and improving the structure of truck-based SUVs and pickups can increase their fuel economy and improve the safety of all vehicles on the road.

According to the authors, existing technology options can improve light-duty vehicle fuel economy by up to 50 percent over the next 10 years without reducing the weight or size of vehicles. Any extra cost associated with the auto-manufacturing changes would be more than offset by savings generated by more fuel-efficient vehicles. Well if automakers can spend gallantly on improving their car’s exterior looks and auto parts (like GMC multi rib belt, for instance) – surely a bid on improving fuel economy will be worth the investment too.

“As the research makes clear, with smart engineering there’s no reason to choose between safety and fuel efficiency in automotive design,” said Hal Harvey, director of the environmental program at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which convened the gathering that led to the report. “Now it’s up to policy makers to provide the regulatory environment to encourage it to happen.”

Here are the recommendations for policy makers from the study:

• Set fuel economy and safety performance goals at cost-effective levels, and allow adequate time for phase-in of vehicle redesigns.

• Develop short-term goals that use existing technological potential and long-term goals to spur continued innovation.

• Apply the same fuel economy and safety standards consistently to all vehicle types (cars, SUVs, and pickups).

• Encourage driver behavior that improves fuel economy or safety – e.g. seat belt use or reduced driving speeds.

An October 2006 policy workshop that brought together experts in vehicle safety and fuel efficiency from academia, research organizations, government, advocacy groups and the auto-manufacturing industry helped make up the authors’ conclusions. The workshop enabled researchers to share most recent evidence on fuel economy and safety, including important peer-reviewed studies published since the National Academy of Sciences’ 2002 report on fuel economy standards.

About the International Council on Clean Transportation

The goal of the International Council on Clean Transportation is to dramatically improve the environmental performance and efficiency of cars, trucks, buses, and transportation systems in order to protect and improve public health, the environment, and quality of life.

The Hewlett Foundation, which provided support for the report, makes grants to address the most serious social and environmental problems facing society, where risk capital, responsibly invested, may make a difference over time. The Foundation places a high value on sustaining and improving institutions that make positive contributions to society.

The full study and an executive summary are available at www.theicct.org.

Get Higher Gas Mileage by Maintaining Your Car ( Part 1 of 2 )

Taking care of your vehicle will make the car last the longest and it will give you the most mileages out of it.  Some of the benefits are that you will have fewer repairs, your car will run smooth and won’t leave you stranded some where, will help on your gas mileage and more.  Now you don’t need to be a car mechanic to know about your car.  In this article I will provide you with steps on how to take care of your vehicle, and help you learn a little more.

The first thing I recommend to people is to have a repair manual for your vehicle.  This will help you learn and understand a little more info about your car and what it will need.  Remember getting to know your vehicle will help you out in the future plus when you take in to a mechanic shop you will know a little more about what the guy is talking about and this way you will know that you are not getting screwed.  You can basically buy the manual at any dealer or even an auto parts store.

Here are some procedures for maintaining your car.

You can also find really good articles and info on 104Inc or you can also go to 104Automotive.com or 104Mechanic.com and more at 104Inc.com you can find anything you need in your daily life.

Weekly:  Check all of your fluids and make sure you service your car all the time. This includes your radiator fluid only when it is cold so you don’t’ burn your self, transmission fluid, brake fluid, engine oil, power steering fluid and windshield washer fluid.  Now most of these fluids are very important for the car to run properly except the windshield washer fluid is more of safety because it can clean your windshield if it is dirty or something covers it.  Now in any of your fluids you notice that it smells or it is dirty then it is time for you to change it.

Bi Weekly: Check your tire pressure. You will need a tire pressure gauge, which you can find at almost all auto part stores or gas stations and they are not that expensive.  Each tire valve will have a cap on it to protect it from rocks and dirt.  You will have to unscrew the cap counter clock wise till it is off.  Then stick the gage on the valve which will then tell you what Pressure your tires are.  Now you have to check your manual, or the driver front door would have a sticker or actually another easier way would be to check your tire and it will have the info on it on what the pressure should be set to.  Now remember when your tire is cold you will have an accurate reading, because once it gets warm the air in the tire will expand and won’t give you an accurate readings.  Now if the tire pressure is low then you can basically go to any gas station or repair shop.

Tire Pressure Tip – When you have the pressure set properly on your tires then you will save some money on gas and by that you will be getting more mileage out of a full tank, also your tire won’t pull to one side if one of them has less or even more air in it.

Heritage In Focus: Ethanol and Higher Gas Prices

Ben Lieberman explains how ethanol in our gasoline affects prices and fuel efficiency

What factors might detract from creating cars with higher fuel efficiency or cars that use alternative energy?

What factors might detract from creating cars with higher fuel efficiency or cars that use alternative energy sources?

Why did the Bush Administration go to court to block 16 states from enacting higher fuel-efficiency requiremen

As many of you remember, in late 2007 the federal EPA blocked a request by 16 states (led by California) to have higher fuel-efficiency requirements for cars and trucks. At that time, I asked a question on here and most people sided with the Bush Administration. What I am wondering now is has anyone changed their mind due to the gas prices, or do you still believe that this denial was justified?

PS The EPA has not backed down. This issue is still in court.

How much would my gas mileage increase if i put in a higher gear ratio in my truck?

I have a 3 speed auto transmission and when it goes out i might put a 4 speed auto transmission would that increase gas mileage by a good bit. I drive a 1978 GMC Jimmy that gets 10 miles a gallon.

I need help with influences on car designs with higher fuel efficiency?

What environmental, political and cultural factors might contribute to the need to design cars with higher fuel efficiency or cars that use alternative energy sources?

Any links, diagrams etc would help heaps!

How can we Americans demand higher fuel economy (36 ~ 44 MPG ) Affordable American made Automobiles?

Tired of being homebound in this Free country because of this $5/gallon rage. And the auto industry are dragging their feet to make affordable, safer, higher fuel economy automobiles. As a poor working professional this is intolerable. How can we stand up against such supply & demand to survive?

Spark-king 2, Gives Your Car a Higher Energy Ignition for Better Gas Mileage, Faster Starts, Longer Lasting Spark Plugs, & Reduced Carbon Build-up on Valves. For Cars & Trucks with 6 or 12 Volt Systems Including Electronic Ignition.

• Spark-king 2
• Gives Your Car a Higher Energy Ignition for Better Gas Mileage
• For Cars & Trucks with 6 or 12 Volt Systems Including Electronic Ignition
• onger Lasting Spark Plugs
• Reduced Carbon Build-up on Valves & Faster Starts

Product Description
Spark-king 2, Gives Your Car a Higher Energy Ignition for Better Gas Mileage, Faster Starts, Longer Lasting Spark Plugs, & Reduced Carbon Build-up on Valves. For Cars & Trucks with 6 or 12 Volt Systems Including Electronic Ignition.