For the Love of Car!

October is Fall Car Care month, and a winterized and well-maintained car can mean better road safety as well as increased fuel efficiency. Cleaning out air filters, changing your oil, inflating your tires – all of these actions are basic ways you can get your car to perform better and more efficiently, which can save you money at the pump. But in the upcoming winter months, more specific actions can optimize fuel efficiency while also ensuring a safer drive in hazardous conditions. Keep the following maintenance tips in mind to guarantee maximum driving efficiency this winter:

• Installing snow tires means better performance in wintry conditions; it also puts less of a strain on your gas tank as you navigate icy, slushy or snowy roads.
• Change those blades. 80% of driving performance is based on visibility, so changing your wiper blades can help avoid those sudden stops and starts that are notorious fuel-burners.
• Properly inflated tires increase fuel efficiency. When you check your tire pressure, remember that for every 10ºF of outside temperature change, you will lose one pound of pressure. Check tires when they are cold.
• Change your oil, and do it right. During the colder months, oil tends to thicken and in turn decreases the performance of your engine. This makes the engine work harder, and burns more fuel as a result. Lauren Fix – AKA The Car Coach – recommends using pure synthetic oil which does not congeal and keeps your engine well lubricated. A well lubricated engine will last longer and results in less emissions better fuel economy and better performance.

Lauren Fix, spokeswoman for the Car Care Council, also has some great tips on her website, many of which can help increase your car’s fuel efficiency in the coming winter months.