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Cars: Neglecting Your Car's Oil Will Cost You Gas!


A car that is performing at it's peak will get the optimum fuel economy. If conditions of the engine deteriorate, it will loose peak performance which will then cause you to use more gas and spend more money. Oil is critical in preventing engine deterioration. Good fuel economy and proper management of the oil in your engine go hand in hand.

You need to make scheduled oil changes a priority in maintaining your car. Following the auto producers oil change recommendations is a major component of keeping your car running at its peak and keeping your gasoline economy at its best.

The purpose of the oil in your vehicle is to prevent metal- to-metal contact of engine parts by lubricating its moving parts, thereby minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat. All of those attributes create better gasoline efficiency.

The oil in your engine also removes metal shavings, dirt and other impurities which are then captured in the oil filter. Neglecting your cars oil can create other problems above and beyond the effects on fuel economy. Improper oil maintenance could lead to replacing the engine itself. Keeping a record of when you last had the oil changed will ultimately help you save gas.

The interval between oil changes is very important. It is important to following the car makers maintenance schedule. If the manual says to change the oil every three months do it. If the manual says to change the oil every three thousand miles do it. When oil is left in an engine too long, it becomes saturated with the very dirt and impurities it is supposed to remove. Once the oil is saturated it will be less efficient in doing its job. Your car's performance will decline and your fuel economy will get worse.

Another facet of proper oil care is to make sure that you are using the right grade of oil. You should use the grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual. The fuel efficiency of the engine can improve as much as 2 percent versus using the wrong grade oil especially when starting in cold weather.

Using the wrong grade of oil may cause your car to run poorly as the weather changes. The wrong grade will get thick and heavy in cold weather. Oil that is too thick and heavy requires the engine to work harder because the thick and heavy oil's resistance is greater. The harder the engine works the more gasoline it will use. The wrong grade of oil can cost you 1 to 2 percent of your gas economy.

As an illustration: using 10W-20 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage. Use only the oil recommended in the owner's manual for the best engine efficiency and the best fuel efficiency.

Many car owners neglect the proper routine of oil changes. Don't loose gas mileage and money by putting it off. Make sure your oil is changed at the correct time and make sure the right grade is used. This simple routine will help you control your gas costs.

Scott Siegel has written a 143 page book of industry insider secrets on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage.
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