Fuel efficient cars: how to improve your own

Learn how to save gas and money with a more fuel efficient car!

In these days of high gas prices, everyone has to try and get the most mileage out of every gallon of gas that they buy! You can get more miles per gallon and save yourself some money by following the simple tips llisted in this article!

Tip #1
The first and most important tip is to purchase a fuel-efficient car. This will save you gas and money right off the proverbial bat. No matter what kind of vehicle you own, though,you can increase the gas mileage you are getting by following the rest of the tips.

Tip #2
Keep your car tuned-up properly. By keeping it tuned-up and running properly, you will save gas and money. A fouled spark plug will make your engine run rough and therefore waste gas.

Tip #3
Consult your mechanic about adding a fuel injector cleaner to your gas tank. There are several different brands on the market today, and he could recommend the best one. Cleaner injectors mean a better running car which equals better gas mileage.

Tip #4
Have your car's oil changed every three months or every three thousand miles, whichever comes first. Running clean oil in your car's engine will help it run better and help to increase the gas mileage.

Tip #5
Check the air pressure in all four tires frequently. Tires that are not properly inflated will result in lower mile-per-gallon ratings.

Tip #6
Have the engine belts checked regularly for wear or cracks. Worn belts can affect the performance of the engine and therefore affect your car's fuel consumption.

Tip #7
Have the air filter checked every oil change, and replaced as often as necessary. The air filter is another factor in an efficient-running engine.

Tip #8
When driving you car, avoid periods of unnecessary idling time as much as possible. You can't avoid stoplights or traffic jams, for example, but when you run errands, don't leave your car running while you go inside a shop or store,etc. Make a list of places you can visit in one trip instead of making several short trips to get your errands done.

Tip #9
Observe the speed limits at all times.Driving your car past 55 or 60 miles per hour takes additional fuel than if you stay within the posted speed limits.

Tip #10
When driving on the highway or freeway, especially while taking road trips, use the cruise control feature in your car. It will help your car maintain a constant speed and will help to reduce your car's fuel consumption.

Tip #11
When driving in the city, you can help the fuel efficiency of your car by avoiding unnecessary jack rabbit starts along with sudden braking. This jerky starting and stopping of your car wastes more fuel than youmay relaize. Drive by looking ahead and preparing to slow down or stop without having to jam on the brakes all the time.

Tip #12
Using the air conditioner in your car uses an increase in gas usage and cuts down on fuel efficiency. Try to avoid using it as much as possible.

Written by Thanapong S.

What to do during a car crash

Car crashes happen every day! Read this article to find out what you should do if you're involved in a car crash!

With over two hundred million drivers on the road today, it's not surprising that a car crash occurs every ten seconds. But, you can help to protect yourself and your family if you know what to do should you be involved in a crash.

The first and most important thing to remember during a car crash is to remain calm. You can't be any help to yourself or anyone else if you're in a state of hysteria. Relax for a moment and take a deep breath to clear your head.

Then, the second step is to turn the ignition off in your vehicle, and, carefully check yourself for injuries. Check your passengers too, to make sure they're okay.

You and your passengers, if there are any, will need to exit your vehicle if you are able. If you can't open the door, you'll need to crawl out a back door, a hatchback, or maybe even out through the sunroof. If your vehicle is still on the road, you'll need to watch out for oncoming traffic.

Many motorists carry cell phones, and if you have one with you, your third step should be to call "911". You'll need to summon the police, ambulance, and other rescue services. Since there is no way to track the location of a cell phone, you'll need to tell the dispatcher the exact location of the crash. If you're not sure of the name of the road you're on, and then give him or her names of any cross roads that are nearby.

After he or she has collected a sufficient amount of information about the accident, so they can send Emergency personnel to the scene, the dispatcher will ask for your name, address, and home phone number too. Stay on the phone with the "911" office until they tell you that they have all the information they need.

Now that you have checked on your own passengers and helped them out of the vehicle, you should check on the other drivers and their passengers.

After that, the fifth step is to set up emergency flares on the road. The flares will need to be a distance away from the accident site. They will need to be located on both sides of the site. These will warn other motorists that they will need to slow down or stop up ahead.

As long as the other drivers involved in the crash are able to talk coherently, the sixth step is to get a pen and paper and exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, as well as the names of insurance companies. You should also write down their insurance policy number. You should also ask to see the other motorist's driver's license so you can write down their license number.

If the other driver is hostile, and refuses to exchange information, then you should remain calm and simply wait for the police to arrive. (Don't blame the other driver, and don't claim any responsibility for the crash! In fact, the less that you talk to the other driver, the better.) You can collect the necessary information later from the accident report the police will fill out. You'll need to get a copy of the accident report anyhow so you can file a claim with your insurance company.

If there are any witnesses to your car crash, you should also write down their names, addresses, and phone numbers.

Finally, no matter what, you must stay at the scene of the accident! There are laws against leaving the scene, and you don't want to get cited for that! Wait for the police to arrive and take care of the situation.

Written by K Sprang - © 2002 Pagewise

Tire buying tips: what to consider when purchasing tires

Tire buying tips to help make a well informed decision for your car's specific needs.

Walking into a tire store can be, and often is to say the least confusing for those of us who don’t buy tires that often. For the most part, as long as there are four tires on the car, most people are satisfied.

But when taking a stronger interest in the type of tires that are mounted on a car, the whole area of “tires” opens up, and we find there’s more to this tire buying than just bringing the car in to a tire shop and having four new tires put on.

A tire is an important functional part of any vehicle. Outside of the engine and its various parts, without the tire, no car, no truck, or no bus will get from point A to point B or any other point for that matter.

Sometimes we can’t always based our decision to buy a tire based on the name of the tire if it is a well known brand, or because the price is in a higher bracket than other selections of tires. A little homework will help us make a wiser decision when purchasing a tire.

First off the U.S. Government rates tires according to safety and mileage and by learning what these specifications are will help us decide what is best for our needs. Treadware traction, and heat resistance are some of the factors that should be seriously considered when making a purchase. Tire dealers can and should provide this information to the discerning consumer.

Treadware gives the expected mileage. This is shown by numbers, i.e. 300, 400, 500, etc. The higher the number, the more the expected mileage.

Traction grades provides a basis on how well tires will stop on a wet surface. “A” Grade of course being the better tire, thereby stopping in a shorter distance than Grade “B. We can see here that by purchasing the better grade, if we live in a climate where rain is a factor, we are better off paying a bit more by buying the higher-grade tire.

Grading a tire by “Heat Resistance” is also an important consideration, especially for those who live in the warmer climates. Again, deciding on a better grade will in the long run prevent driving on a tire that may not be suitable or does not wear well in the hotter climates.

Tires are also rated by speed. Checking the ‘”owner’s manual” will provide that information, ensuring that the manufacturer’s suggested requirements are kept in mind when making the purchase.

Also, when having these tires mounted keep in mind that some stores may charge extra for balancing and mounting, thereby upping the total cost of the tire. This happened to me and the "great" sale did not turn out so great.

Other considerations: When driving on mostly paved roads and highways as opposed to off-road, a smooth road tire (aka street tire) should be a consideration.
When driving equally on paved road, highways, and off roads, then an all-terrain tire should be a consideration.

When driving mostly off-road, and occasionally on paved roads/highway, then an “off-road” tire should be considered.

Again, doing one’s homework, becoming well informed, knowing what to look for, what is required by a manufacturer in terms of their own specifications for buying tires will ensure that a correct decision is made when purchasing this product.

Written by MARIE ROY - © 2002 Pagewise

How to prepare your car for winter.

This article is winterization maintenance instructional to prepare your car or truck for winter.

Winter is the most harsh season for any vehicle: the cold weather will effect any part that is weak. So before the winter months come around, it is best to check your vehicle and replace any parts that are weak. This will insure you are not left out in the cold.

The first and most basic step in preparing your vehicle for winter is radiator coolant. By adding antifreeze to your radiator this insure that the water the vehicle needs to cool down the motor will not freeze in the cold weather. If the water freezes, it is not able to cool down the motor, which could lead to a blown motor and also the radiator could crack because of the frozen water.

You also check the battery condition, make sure all the cables are not torn or corroded, if so change before the winter months. Also, the vehicle takes more power to start in winter, it is best to do a battery test to make sure it has enough charge for the winter. If it fails a re-charge test, invest the money into buying a new one.

Your windshield washer solvent should also be formulized for winter, it could also freeze and cause damage to the windshield wiper system. Also make sure all the hoses are not clogged and clean the washer nozzles out with a thin piece of wire. This will insure if you need to use your windshield washer solution in a hurry that it is available.

The electrical system of the vehicle should be checked. Check to make sure the distributor cap, points, condenser, ignition coil, spark plugs and spark plug cables are all in good shape. If any of these items are having difficulties in the summer, they will definitely go out in the winter. It is best to have them changed before winter.

Check all the hoses and belts, if any of these have signs of extensive wear such as cracks, it is best to replace them also.

Prepare for winter emergencies, if you live in a climate that there is heavy snowfall, keep extra blankets and water just in case of an emergency.

Written by Margie Parent - © 2002 Pagewise

How to check tire pressure

How to check your tires for wear and tear to see if they need replacement, or infaltion/deflation.

Good driving habits and common sense will give you the most benefit and longevity from your tires. Sudden stops, fast starts, bad front end parts, bad shocks, bad air pressure, poor alignment and turning sharp corners (cornering) will decrease the lifespan of your tires. Driving your vehicle with incorrect tire pressure or overloading the vehicle with weight will increase the tread wear.

Visually inspect your tires frequently. Look for any bubbles, cracks, deep cuts or under inflation. If you see any cords or wires showing through the tires they need to be replaced. Look for uneven tread wear on your tires, this may be an indication that you need a front-end alignment or the tires are out of balance.

Proper tire inflation cannot be stressed enough. You can easily check this yourself with a tire pressure gauge. Tires normally lose some air in day-to-day use, and you may have to add a few pounds of air periodically and it is not usually a sign of a leaking tire, but of normal wear. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold, tire pressure increases with temperature.

Check your driver’s manual for your car for the exact amount of pressure it suggests for your make and model of vehicle. The average pressure of most cars is 28 to 35 pounds of air pressure. It may vary from front to back tires. That is why it is so important to familiarize yourself with your car manual.

When you are ready to check your tires pull up to the air pump, go to the rear tire knowing before hand how much pressure is needed in your tires. There is usually a guide as to how much pressure is needed in the door jam of the car. Unscrew the valve that is located on the rim of your tire and use your pressure gauge (you can purchase at any auto part store for one to three dollars) to see how much air is currently in your tire. If your tire is over inflated use the open end of the pressure gauge to release as much air as needed. A measure stick will push up and out of the end of the gauge reading off what the pressure is so you can easily monitor how much air is or is not in your tires. If you need to add air use the air hose and firmly push down fitting the air hose over the valve until you hear the air going into the tire, not air escaping. There is a distinct sound as to the air escaping, it is a hissing noise, and air going in sounds much like a balloon being blown up. Once you have done this to all five (do not forget about the spare) tires making sure to replace the valve covers you are ready to go.

So that your tires wear normally it is recommended that you have your tires rotated at least every 7,500 miles or so. Make sure you have enough tread on your tires a good way to measure this is to use a penny. Inset the penny into the tread depth, when the top of Lincoln’s head is visible this means you should replace your tires.

Subtle signs there may be a problem that is easily corrected: When you let go of the wheel and your car and pulls to one side or the other, this could mean wheels are out of alignment, tire pressure is unequal, or the tires are not the same size all around. If your car vibrates at high speeds this could mean wheels are out of balance or they need an alignment or possible front-end work.

If you become unsure of yourself and would like someone to check after you have checked the tire pressure for the first time usually the local gas station attendant or local auto repair place will be more than happy to check and let you know if you have properly checked your tire pressure free of charge.

Written by Claudberta Meador - © 2002 Pagewise

Car fuel problems

Car fuel problems; how to diagnose and fix them.
 Driving down the road, you put the gas pedal to the floor, but the car dies. What went wrong? There are some things you can do right away to find out. Most of the time you can get back on the road right away.

The first thing to check is pretty obvious. Are you out of gas? Sounds simple enough. If you are out of gas then you just need to get more. Well, maybe not. Once you add gas you still may not get it started. Now what? In this case you will need to prime your carburetor. So, when you put
more gas in, save a little in the can. For those who have never even looked under the hood, here is how to find your carburetor. You will see a big round thing with a wing nut holding it on. Unscrew the wing nut (you should be able to do this with your hand), and take big round piece of metal that looks like a 33 album off. Down in there you can see the top of your carburetor. Pour a little, several drops, of gas in there and try to start it again. Do not put it all back together before you try to start it. You need to be fast and try as soon as you pour the gas in. It may take several attempts.

If you are not out of gas it may be your fuel filter. Your fuel filter may be in the carburetor or in the gas line. The gas line will be coming out of the side of your carburetor. If you cannot see the fuel filter somewhere along the line, it is in your carburetor where the gas line connects to it. The gas line will require a wrench to remove. Do not confuse it with the vacuum lines which just pull straight off. If you do pull a vacuum line off, do not worry, just push it back on. You will want to remove the fuel filter, and check to see if it is clogged. If you are very lucky you have a clear one and it is easy to see if it is dirty inside. Most of the time it is not clear. Try blowing through it to see if it is clogged. This can also help clean it out enough to get you back on the road for a while. You will want to replace the fuel filter as soon as possible, if it was clogged or if you ran out of gas. When you run out of gas it pulls all the dirt that has collected in the bottom of your fuel tank through the filter. If you take your car to the shop they will usually charge you sixty dollars or more to replace your fuel filter. You can find one at an auto parts store, and they are so common that hardware stores and gas stations often have them, too. It costs about three dollars if you do it yourself.
If neither of these things work, you probably have a bigger problem. It may be your fuel pump or a clogged fuel line, neither of which is a quick and easy roadside fix.

Tire safety tips

Tire safety is a very important part of maintaining your car. Follow these simple guidelines and you will be able to prevent problems.

Tire safety is a very important part of maintaining your car. If you notice that your tires are worn or you feel a shake or wobble in your steering wheel do not ignore it. These seemingly minor problems could cause you to have a fatal car accident.

If your tires are worn, you should carefully inspect their wear pattern to determine if you have normal wear and just need to replace the tires, or if the wear is abnormal and requires a mechanics attention. If the tread wears evenly across the surface of the tire then it is normal wear. If edge or center appears more worn then you have reason to be concerned. Check for even tread wear by using a tread depth gauge, or by sticking a penny into the tread grooves. The tread depth gauge is the most accurate way to determine tread wear. If the tread is worn down to 1/16th of an inch, or if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then the tire needs to be replaced. Some tires contain a built in tread wear indicator. These will appear as smooth bars that only show when the tread is 1/16th or less.

Front and rear tires wear at different rates depending if your car is a front or rear wheel drive. Whichever end is powering the vehicle will wear at a faster pace. This is considered normal as well. Another consideration for deciding if wear is normal is the habits of the driver. If someone tends to take corners at high rates of speed, this will cause the edge of the tire to wear down more rapidly than the centers. If you rotate your tires every 8,000 miles this should help to even out the wear pattern and make it easier to determine if there is a mechanical problem.

Abnormal tire wear can be a result of a suspension problem, the car may be out of alignment, a faulty tire or because your tires were not properly inflated. The best way to identify abnormal tire wear is when the edge of the tire is extremely worn, but the rest of the tire shows little or no wear. This means that the tire was leaning to one side or the other when being driven. This can be very serious as it can be caused by a suspension that is not aligned, a bent strut, or a multitude of other internal damage. Many times this is caused by damaged caused in an accident that was not properly identified and repaired. A mechanic should thoroughly inspect the vehicle to determine what parts need to be replaced to fix the problem.

If you run your hand over your tire and it feels smooth one direction and rough the other, your tires are “toeing” in when you drive. This is also a serious problem. The most common causes are that the car is out of alignment, bent steering linkage or arms or worn tie rod ends or idler arms. This is also a case where a mechanic should be called in to identify the problem.

If the center of the tire is worn more than the rest of the tire, check your tire inflation. Generally this type of wear is caused by over-inflation. Conversely, if the edges of the tires are more worn, your tire may be under-inflated. Check your owner’s manual to find out what the recommended inflation is for your particular vehicle.

Driving on tires that are worn greatly increases your chance of getting a flat tire or a blowout and is especially dangerous when the roads are wet. If you feel a wobble in the steering wheel or a shimmy in the rear of the vehicle with no evident tire wear, the steel radial belt may be separating. This can cause a blowout and should be checked by a mechanic.

You should inspect your tires monthly in good light. This will include feeling the surface of the tire and testing the tread depth. Make sure that the tires are rotated every 8,000 miles. Following these simple steps should allow you to get the best performance from your vehicle and prevent unexpected problems from endangering yourself or others.

Written by Cheryl Carroll - © 2002 Pagewise

How to save on gasoline

How to save on gasoline

How to save money on the gasoline you buy for your car right now.

You can save money on the gasoline you buy and use in your automobile. Here are the three fundamental ways you can do it.

You can simply not use gasoline.

If you’ve gotten used to the idea that certain things must be done with a car, you’re probably not alone. Here are some ways around driving altogether. Try getting things done without going anywhere. If you are going shopping, try shopping online instead. If you have a computer connected to the Internet, you have access to many goods and services without leaving home. Many places online offer free goods as promotion and include free postage. Many services on the Internet are free as well, offered to generate traffic to a site. Your cost is obviously only your time with no cost for gasoline or any expense on your car at all. Goods you do have to pay for online often come at a discount and with free shipping. If there is a shipping cost, it is usually cheaper than the time you would have spent driving out to get it yourself and you still have no auto expense involved, no gasoline.

If you are travelling to get to a pastime or social event, bring your leisure to you instead. Invite the neighbors over for games, TV, videos, music, DVDs or dinner. There are so many reasons it is wiser and healthier to stay in in addition to saving on gas. The long-term savings this wisdom provides will pay for any gas you do use many times over. You save by preparing your own food and entertainment, too.

Travel by other means. Walk, run or bicycle your way to where you need to go. The exercise will do you well.

You can use less gasoline.

Car pooling, driving to one place to get several things like to a department store, getting goods that last longer and going for them less often, the possibilities are endless. As a good training regimen for driving less, try this. Imagine you live in the old west. There are no cars and you must do without. What could you or would you do in that setting to get by? Now make it a rule of thumb: you have no car, just like in the old west, until the painful twinge of really brings you back to present day and you must use your car to get somewhere, to get something done. This should help immensely.

You can use gasoline more wisely, too.

Use maps to assess the shortest distance. Maps online are free. Drive at an even speed, within the speed limit. Even speeds save gas and, remember, speeding tickets cost money and time. Take good care of your car and it will use gasoline more efficiently. Use top quality engine cleaning additives or try some hi grade gasoline once every few months. Keep the gas tank at least half full all the time; this makes for greater fuel efficiency. Try coasting on downgrades. If you’ll be stuck in traffic a while, pull off and park till traffic clears. Your gas isn’t getting you anywhere anyway and you bought it to do just that. Watch for specific days when gas prices are at a low during the week. Sunday is often a good day to buy gas; avoid filling up during busy social hours like Friday or Saturday night.

Written by David Geer - © 2002 Pagewise