Effective car maintenance isn’t just about making your car look shiny or ensuring it runs smoothly; it’s also about putting some extra dollars back in your pocket. If you’re tired of watching your hard-earned money go up in exhaust fumes, it’s time to get dirty with the nitty-gritty of fuel-saving car care.

While there are other practical ways to save money at the pump, good car maintenance is a good place to start. Below, we’ll look at seven car maintenance tips that will help keep your wheels turning and save you from making frequent pit stops at the gas pump.

Keep Your Tires Healthy and Inflated

Maintaining healthy tires means always checking your treads for uniform wear and tear. Properly inflated tires are safer as they provide a balanced ride. They also last longer and can increase fuel economy by up to 0.6% on average. On the other hand, under-inflated tires can lower fuel mileage by about 0.2%.

To maintain optimum tire pressure, first start by checking the tire specifications provided by the manufacturer. You can then use tire pressure monitoring systems and nitrogen inflation to achieve and maintain your tire’s optimum pressure.

Replace Clogged Air Filters

A damaged, dirty, or clogged air filter significantly threatens your car’s fuel efficiency. Replacing a worn-out air filter will improve your car’s fuel efficiency and acceleration, especially if you have an older carbureted engine.  However, the case is different for cars with fuel-injected computer-run diesel or gasoline engines manufactured from the early 80s to date. Replacing air filters in these cars only improves acceleration but doesn’t help with fuel economy.

Use Recommended Motor Oil

Using the right motor oil can help boost your gas mileage by up to 2%. For instance, if you have an engine designed to use 5W-30 motor oil, you can upgrade to a 10W-30 motor to improve your gas mileage by up to 2%. The best way to pick the right motor oil is by checking for the words “Energy Conserving” on the container’s API performance symbol. This way, you can be sure the oil contains friction-reducing additives for optimal motor performance.

Check Your Car Battery’s Charge and Health

Your car battery is more connected to your fuel economy than you already know. When you drive a car with a poorly charged battery, the fuel injectors will not pass fuel to the cylinders as efficiently as they should. When this happens, the likelihood of the fuel mileage dropping is high, and this can be symbolized by your car running rougher than usual or an engine lurch. At this point, you’ll need a new battery or have the existing one cleaned and recharged.

Maintain Regular Engine Checks

The best way to start with healthy engine checks is to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule on the car’s manual. Effective and regular maintenance will help keep the car running efficiently, saving you time and money spent on fuel and costly engine repairs. The results are even better if you’re revving up an abandoned vehicle or one that failed an emissions test. You could get up to a 4% rise in fuel economy based on the quality and type of repair done.

With the gas price hitting an all-time high, it’s crucial to master tips to help you save a few bucks at the filling station. It’s important to regularly check and maintain your car’s parts, not just for fuel efficiency but also for general optimal performance. Remember to work with a qualified mechanic every step of your maintenance journey.