Will Proper Auto Maintenance at Al's D & I Repair Really Save Gas?

Have you ever thought about all the little things we do to keep our lives running smoothly – like vacuuming? It makes a room feel fresher and more comfortable. We may not consider that we’re also prolonging the life of the carpet by keeping it clean. But Rapid City auto owners don’t always extend those good habits into the garage. Our pickups need regular maintenance just like our rugs need vacuuming. We may not notice a difference in the feel or appearance of the vehicle, but, just as cleaning a carpet carries the hidden reward of prolonging its life, maintaining our pickups incurs a hidden reward that becomes noticeable at Rapid City gas stations.

When it comes to reduced fuel efficiency, there are two important culprits: increased friction and inefficient fuel combustion. That means that anything Rapid City drivers can do to decrease friction and increase the efficiency of their engines will translate to savings on fuel. Friction increases the amount of energy it takes to move something. So if we can reduce friction, we can decrease the amount of fuel it takes to run our pickups. Engine oil is usually at the heart of friction problems in an engine. Too little oil means parts are not getting lubricated, which increases friction and dirty oil doesn’t lubricate as well as clean oil. So one secret to good gas mileage is to stay on top of oil changes. Don’t skip them and don’t procrastinate. The same auto advice applies to transmission fluid. Keep it full and keep it clean, and your vehicle will run with less friction and better fuel economy.

If your tires are under-inflated, it increases the friction between the tire and the road. Again, there is increased drag, and it takes more fuel to move your pickup. Rapid City auto owners should check their tire pressure every month and keep their tires properly inflated.

Alignment and brake problems can also increase friction. Besides saving fuel, keeping these important systems in good repair has the added benefit of saving you cash on tires and brake pads since these items wear out more quickly when the alignment is off or when the brake system isn’t in good working order. Talk to your courteous Al’s D & I Repair service specialist.

The second culprit that stealthily steals our gas mileage is inefficient fuel combustion, which depends on the engine getting the right amount of clean fuel to the right place with the right pressure at the right time in the right pattern. The key to peak engine performance is to keep the fuel system clean. Varnish and gum can build up in a fuel system, which will interfere with the fuel injectors. The fuel injectors are responsible for all those “rights” we spoke of. If they’re dirty, amounts, timing, pressure and spray patterns can all get out of whack. The result? Reduced fuel efficiency. A fuel system cleaning at Al’s D & I Repair in Rapid City can get your injectors back on track, improving performance and efficiency.

There are a few other important maintenance items that can improve your fuel economy. One is to replace your PCV valve when it gets sticky. This valve allows unburned fuel in your engine exhaust to return to the engine. Rapid City car owners can also replace worn spark plugs and dirty fuel filters. A well-maintained pickup will require fewer repairs and save income at Rapid City gas pumps.

At Al’s D & I Repair in Rapid City SD (57702) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 605.348.1447. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.