Certified Center
If the soaring cost of gas has you thinking about trading your car in for a bicycle, we don’t blame you. But, before you do that, you should try some tactics that could potentially save you a lot of money on your fuel costs. Here are some tips from our BMW service center:
Change Your Oil
When’s the last time you got an oil change? If it’s been a while, this could explain why you have to get gas so often. When oil ages, it gets thick, which means that the moving parts in the engine don’t get adequate lubrication. This results in the engine having to work harder, and this causes a drop in fuel economy. Even if you’re not driving much, you should still have your oil changed about every six months.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Another thing that hurts gas mileage is low air pressure in your tires, and because this can fluctuate based on the temperature, you should check your psi (pounds per square inch) every couple of months. The ideal psi should be noted on the driver’s door jamb or in your car’s owner manual. Don’t just rely on your car’s built-in system to tell you if your pressure is low; you’ll only be notified if it drops below 25 percent.
Alter the Way You Drive
You may not realize it, but the way you drive could be costing you money at the pump. For example, if you accelerate very quickly or wait too long before applying the brakes to slow down, your fuel economy is affected. The same is true if you put the pedal to the metal while out on the highway. Just slowing down a little could save you a lot of money.
Here’s another tip: trade in your gas guzzler for a more fuel-efficient model. Visit BMW of Asheville to make sure your vehicle is optimized for fuel efficiency with routine services, such as an oil change or tire inflation.