In The Notebook last week, Dwayne Yancey commented on the rising gas prices in Botetourt and Larry Ceola at Cavalier Automotive contacted the Botetourt View about how to save on gas mileage in the face of the rising prices!
Larry Ceola at Cavalier Automotive in Cloverdale sees alternatives to high gas prices in better gas mileage.
Larry Ceola who owns Cavalier Automotive on Cloverdale Road read about the gas prices in Botetourt last week and responded with some tips on how to save at the pump by a few adjustments in car care and driving. In his opinion, the key to better mileage is to reduce friction and to relax and slow down. He said, “I would not be waiting to see if gas prices are going to drop dramatically because they probably will not and will likely continue to climb. Today oil hit $120 per barrel –people are going to have to make the adjustments.”
Here are Ceola’s tips based on experience of 20 plus years in the automotive business to help gas mileage.
Tire Pressure:
Inflate tires to the manufacturer's specifications. Performance tires go for traction thus they cause more friction and get worse gas mileage, said Ceola. "Improper inflation of tires can cause as much as a 25% drop in gas mileage," he remarked.
Brakes and Alignment:
The better the tires are aligned the better the gas mileage. The less friction caused by brakes, the better the gas mileage. Keeping up with your cars maintenance is the key he said.
Synthetic Lubricants:
This is one of Ceola's issues. He said if he were president he would ban the import of foreign oil for lubricants and use synthetic. “There are very few spots on an auto you cannot use synthetics.”
Fuel Injectors:
Have the system cleaned once in a while. Fuel injector cleaner services are available at auto shops as well as additives to go in the gas tank.
Tune Ups:
Only older model cars get tune-ups. Today most of the cars on the road have computers and sensors and have to be put on a diagnostic machine. New cars have sensors and the sensors notify the computer system and things fall between manufacturer's guidelines. Ceola cautions not to cut corners! Do it right the first time even if it is a few hundred dollars more now, in the long run the costlier repairs come from not taking care of the vehicle. He says follow the manufacturers recommendations on maintenance.
Drive for Miles:
“Relax,” said Ceola “You don't have to be in such a hurry-- jackrabbit starts, going over 55 mph, speeding between stoplights and slamming on the brakes. All of these cause wear and tear, but they ruin your gas mileage, too,” he says. His advice, “Coast toward the red stoplight and it just may change when you get to it! He says a great deal of gasoline is wasted waiting in lines at drive thru windows and most people could get out to get the food or go in a bank or a dry cleaners. “Go in and you mileage will improve,” he said.
Other tips he offered:
-Buy gasoline at the coolest time of the day: Filling up at noon will get you less than leaving 15 minutes earlier and stopping on the way into work. Fill-there's lessup at half tank instead of the empty.
-Keep the trunk clutter free. The less weight being carried, the better the mileage
-Do not idle your car unless you have to.
-Passing another car when driving uphill takes more gasoline.
-Maintain momentum. Whenever possible every time you stop and start you use more gasoline.
Comments
[April 30, 2008 5:40 PM]
Geo EAnother benefit that Mr. Cheola Cavalier service center offers is a Wi-Fi Zone! so we can work/surf as they take care of our car.