|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland Tennessee (TN) and Bradley County Tennessee (Tn).
Of Bradley County Tn.
SEPTEMBER 2005
The People News, a free newspaper serving Cleveland and Bradley County Tn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
|
|
BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE
|
|
EDITORIALS
|
|
LETTERS
|
|
CONTACT US
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
by J. B. Griffin III.
Gas Mileage!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I haven't quite figured out why, but it seems like everyone is suddenly talking about how to improve their vehicle's gas mileage. It's like the price of gas went suddenly to three doll... never mind, I know now.
OK, here are some tips guaranteed to put money back in your wallet.
#1 Don't purchase secret gizmos or additives from the internet or parts stores. There is no "Tornado" or super-duper two letter re-washable air filter that's going to make your Expedition get 35 MPG in the city while pumping out 700 more horsepower. If you think your budget is tight now wait until you invest in a few of these losers and see a ZERO gain at the pump.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
#2 If you feel that you just have to buy something to help I do recommend one of the reprogrammers for your PCM. These have actually been written and manufactured by real engineers and they will help your vehicle's performance - a lot. The only downside I see to these is that when you suddenly add 150 horsepower to that PowerStroke diesel you tend to play a game at red lights called "Watch
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This." Then instead of a MORE fuel efficient engine you've just created an unbelievable gas hog.
#3 Now, for the more practical minded among us (read ladies) I suggest investing in a tire pressure gauge. These don't usually appeal to men because they only cost $1.95. Even better would be four of the new valve stem caps that tell at a glance when the tire is a few pounds low. Low tire pressure wastes gas like nothing else, especially on the freeway. I once improved a customer's mileage on his Nissan Sentra by 10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MPG just by inflating the rear tires from 15psi to 35. Most cars are so light in the rear that the pressure usually has to drop to below 10 psi before the tire even begins to appear low just by looking.
#4 Have your car tuned up. It's not a terrible waste of money to change those plugs every 100,000 miles or so. "But it still runs great." No, it only seems to run great because it has a great computer that can mask over your neglect by squirting a bunch of extra fuel in the cylinders with each revolution of the engine. It can dampen the feel of a misfire by fattening up the mixture and it's being fattened up with your three dollar a gallon gas.
#5 If your "Check Engine" light is on have your car fixed. On 1996 and newer cars and trucks it won't come on until you are spewing unburned fuel out your tail pipe at 1 1/2 the legal limit. If the light is flashing it means you are wasting so much fuel that it is actually damaging the catalytic converter.
#6 Run your air conditioner. Yes, that is right. Most cars and trucks are so aerodynamic that driving with the windows open actually creates a more negative effect than the slight boost in fuel consumption which comes from running the new high-efficiency a/c compressors. Were not talking the old cast iron York and Tecumsehs here with duel drive belts. I can remember when it took 5 horsepower just to drive the belts without the compressor on. The modern units are all integrated into the serpentine belt system with variable displacement systems.
If you have other tips send them in care of this newspaper. Or you may e-mail your car questions to Jeepster1515@yahoo.com
Don't forget in December we will have the grand prize drawing for one gallon of Supreme 97 octane.
JB Griffin is an ASE Certified Master Technician. He owns and operates JB's Japanese and American Auto Repair in Evensville, Tennessee. You may e-mail your car questions to jeepster1515@yahoo.com
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
|
|
BACK ISSUE ARCHIVE
|
|
EDITORIALS
|
|
LETTERS
|
|
CONTACT US
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|