Do-it-yourself Mechanic: The Gas Thief
Copyright © 2004, Donald Harris
Cars Trucks and Tractors
http://www.carstrucksandtractors.com
The Gas Thief can be disguised in several ways and can strike in more
than one way simultaneously. Some of the common "thieves"
are under-inflated tires, dirty air cleaners, and forgetting tune up
intervals.
Check your owner's manual or if you have misplaced or lost the owner's
manual, look at the manufacturer's stickers on the door, under the hood
or in the trunk of the car. Usually the manufacturer's recommended tire
pressures can be found in more than one place.
Following the manufacturer's recommendations will help optimize your
fuel economy and tire life. Under-inflated tires increase the rolling
resistance and reduces gas mileage.
The air filter is one of the most overlooked items in auto maintenance.
We remember to change the oil but if the auto shop forgets to remind
us to check/change the air filter, it goes unnoticed. Dirty air cleaners
will cause the engine to run "rich" and increase pollution
as well as decreasing fuel
efficiency.
The tune-up is often forgotten until your vehicle starts performing
poorly, starts missing, or becomes hard to start. When these noticeable
symptoms occur, your engine is well past the manufacturer's recommended
tune-up time. Check your owner's manual! It will give recommended service
intervals for all your vehicles components. This is only an educated
recommendation based on "average" usage. Consult your mechanic.
He knows your vehicle and you. He will recommend service based on your
vehicle's use and driving habits. Heed his advice.
The fuel system can rob you too. One of the easiest ways to maintain
your fuel system is to add a fuel system cleaner to your gas tank when
you have your oil changed. There are several good brands of fuel additives
available. Follow the additive manufacturer's instructions as to the
amount to add for your fuel tank's capacity. This will help keep deposits
from building up in your carburetor/fuel injection system and keep your
engine running happy.
