Car Care Tips!

• Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline

  Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it. If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

• Tighten up that gas cap.

  Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap.

• Go for the shade

  The hot summer sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank. "If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade," says Jim Kliesch, research associate at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and vehicle analyst for GreenerCars.com. So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

• Use your garage for your car

  Got a garage? Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won't have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive

• Pump up your tires

  Don't get caught driving on under-inflated tires. Under-inflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage. "Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at 60," says Brian Moody, road test editor at Edmunds.com. Your car's gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on under-inflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more.

• Keep your engine in tune

  Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

• Don't skimp on maintenance.

  Be serious about auto care. Your car's performance depends on it. Always follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance. The car is designed to run a certain way. If you neglect it, it won't be as efficient.

• Other questions or concerns?

  If you have any questions that are still unanswered, please give us a call at (209) 239-1551, we will be glad to help in any way we can.