AUTONET TV

Mileage Headed Downhill? (What Causes Bad Fuel Economy?)

Name someone you know who enjoys spending a lot of money on gasoline.  Yeah, me neither. That’s because it costs quite a bit to keep fueling your vehicle.  

One way to save money on gas is to get good fuel economy, and most of today’s vehicles are designed to maximize your mileage.  But you might find you’re filling up more frequently than you used to and are wondering what can cause your fuel economy to tumble.  Here are a few possible reasons your mileage has been headed downhill.

A logical spot to start is in your fuel system.  You may have a faulty fuel injector or an old fuel filter clogged with debris.  Another problem might be oxygen sensors, which measure the air coming into your engine and the emissions going out. An illuminated Check Engine light may be a sign of trouble there. Plus, worn-out spark plugs can reduce your fuel economy. 

Under- inflated, or over-inflated, tires can also be a cause. Make sure they’re all at the same pressure.  When’s the last time you changed your engine air filter? One that’s clogged and dirty can rob you of better fuel economy. Another bandit is a dirty, leaky, or clogged exhaust system, so have it checked out by a pro.

Finally, how you drive can also mean wasted gasoline. Jackrabbit starts and speeding use more fuel than smoother acceleration.  And if you often sit there with your engine idling while you’re waiting somewhere, you’re throwing fuel away.  Just turn the ignition off.

Try out some of these fuel-conserving habits and they’ll pay off for you in the long-run.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
http://www.stforeignauto.com

Straight to the Point (Alignment Signs of Problems)

It’s just common sense that your vehicle will drive better if all the wheels are lined up with each other and the road the way the engineers intended.  When they’re not, that is called being out of alignment.   Here are some signs that your alignment has problems.

• Your steering wheel isn’t straight when your vehicle goes straight down a straight road. This one’s pretty easy to notice.  If your vehicle’s logo on the wheel is tilted, that’s probably not the way designers wanted it to be. Bring it in and have us check it out.
• Your steering wheel is vibrating on a smooth road or when you are accelerating.  While this could be caused by several different things, one possibility is misalignment.  If your steering wheel is shaking, it should be examined by a trained technician.
• Your vehicle is pulling to one side without you wanting it to.  Sometimes the configuration of the road will cause it to pull slightly left or right.  But if you find yourself constantly correcting course to keep your vehicle headed straight down the road, that’s worth having us look at your alignment.
• You’re going through tires like there’s no tomorrow. The tread on your tires should be wearing nice and evenly from the outside to the inside of the tire.  If the wear isn’t even, it could be your vehicle needs an alignment.

We have equipment designed to quickly and accurately measure your vehicle’s alignment.  We can make precise adjustments to make sure you are headed straight where you want to go.  Have your alignment checked regularly. It can help prevent more serious problems in the future and make your vehicle drive as beautifully as you remember it used to.

S T Foreign Auto Service
415 E Brighton Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-478-2161
http://www.stforeignauto.com