If you spend a few hours every day in your car, it’s a depressing experience when it comes to buying – and consuming – gas. No matter how much you fork out, it’s never long until the tank is running low, and you are back at the pump station for a refill.
There is some good news, however, and a few tweaks here and there can make all the difference to your car’s performance and efficiency. And if you are prepared to learn some very basic mechanics and invest a few dollars here and there, you can save a fortune at the pumps with a few changes.
Let’s take a look at some of the best ways to tune your car that cost a little but will save you a lot. Read on to find out more.
Ditch the garbage
First of all, something that requires zero mechanical knowledge – have a big clear out. Unnecessary stuff that you are carrying around in your auto is also an unnecessary expense, so have a good clear out and remove anything you don’t need for an emergency. For every 100 pounds of gear you remove from your car, you will see fuel efficiency savings of around 2 percent – that’s a few hundred dollars a year if you are driving a good distance every day.
Change the wheels
The car you buy from your local dealer will be fitted with good tires, but not great ones. In the vast majority of cases, upgrading your tires can make a huge difference in your fuel efficiency, and it’s something anyone can do with a jack and the ability to remove some wheel nuts. There are serious upgrades to consider and you don’t have to spend a small fortune to get the benefit of more efficient tires. And even if you don’t upgrade your current set, you can still keep your tires tuned by making sure they are optimally inflated to the correct air pressure. Check them every couple of weeks, and before and after long journeys.
Swap out the air filter
Most mechanics will swap out dirty air filters for you when you get a service, but it’s easy to do it yourself. It’s a cheap tuning upgrade that makes a massive difference, too. For the sake of ten or twenty dollars, a new air filter will improve the airflow in your car, keeping your engine nice and cool and ensuring it is running efficiently.
Get new spark plugs
A new set of spark plugs can also make a difference, and as every car tuning aficionado will tell you, it’s one of the cheapest upgrades you can get that gives you the most bang for your buck. Spark plugs are vital for your car’s fuel combustion system and the higher quality you have, the better they work. Ideally, you should be changing your spark plugs regularly, and if you notice your vehicle starting to stall a lot, you know it’s time to make a change.
Hope these tips have helped – good luck!
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