phil@p-pauto.coxatwork.com 

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Drive more efficiently - Don't Speed, Don't hold long idles, Remove excess weight, and use cruise control.

 

Keep your car in shape - save 10%  by having your car serviced; replacing air filters regularly. Save 4% by having having your car tuned up.  A faulty O2 sensor can reduce your gas mileage by 40%.  Save up to 3% by keeping your tires properly inflated.  Save 1% - 2% by using recommended oil and change it at the correct intervals (P&P recommends every 3,000 miles).

 

Combine your Trips. Ride Share or use mass transit. Avoid using roof racks.

 

Choose a more efficient vehicle. The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $878 per year (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $3.51).

Bring your car in to P&P to have it checked and serviced and start saving.

Phil, 5/10/08

 

Another Tip

Squeezing the most out for your gas tank.

The density of fuels is greater when they are cold. Fill up your tank early in the morning before the sun heats up the ground.

Vapor recovery systems recover the vapors out of your tank.  To minimize the amount of vapor generated during a fill up, follow these steps; pump slow and fill up when you are at a  half-tank. Don't fill up when the big tanker is replenishing the service station underground tanks - that generates a lot of gas vapors and also stirs up any debris that may have fallen in.

Phil, 4/5/08

 

How To:

Brakes are the most important safety feature in any vehicle.  Keeping them in good repair is essential.  One of the items to check is the brake caliper. It consists of three parts;  the outside casting, the cylinder and the seal.  The seal is the part that keeps the brake fluid inside the system.  If it ruptures, you will have brake failure, so early detection of a problem in this area is key.

Check for leaking of the brake fluid visually and with your fingers. Check the mounting bolts on the caliper to make sure that they're not cracked or rusted. Finally, check that all the hoses are not leaking, cracked or rusted at the connection points.

If this sounds a bit complicated, bring your car or truck to P&P Auto Repair and let our expert mechanics do the work.  You will be safer and be glad you did.

Phil

Summer-ize your car before the hot times arrive by checking the following:

	Snow tire swap out
	Coolant - Keep engine coolant at the proper levels as this protects against freezing and corrosion. Change the coolant as recommended by the car's manufacturer.
	Battery - Test to make sure it is in good working condition to provide ample power for cold winter starts.
	Windshield washer top off.  Summer is tough on windshields with bugs and dirt.
	Check your AC before you go on a long trip.
	Maximize your trips gas economy by having a complete tune-up done.
	You get better gas economy by driving with the windows up and the AC on.
	You get better gas economy by leaving up your truck's tailgate.

Winterize your car before winter arrives by checking the following:

	Antifreeze - Keep engine coolant at the proper levels as this protects against freezing and corrosion. Change the coolant as recommended by the car's manufacturer.
	Battery - Test to make sure it is in good working condition to provide ample power for cold winter starts.
	Brakes - Worn brakes require longer stopping distances and can pull the car to one side when stopping. A mechanic can check your brakes and make necessary repairs.
	Emergency Supplies - At a minimum, your car should be equipped with a flashlight, blanket, sand or salt and a snow/ice scraper.
	Exhaust System - Fumes from a leaky exhaust system can quickly become fatal. Remember, never run the motor in your garage.
	Heater and Defroster - In proper working condition, these will keep passengers comfortable and the windshield free of ice and condensation.
	Oil - Change your oil using a winter grade oil for easier starting.
	Tires - Worn tires lose their grip on slippery roads. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. All-weather tires or snow tires are recommended for most areas.
	Wipers and Windshield Fluid - Ensure good visibility by replacing worn wiper blades or installing winter blades. Keep washer reservoir filled with specially formulated antifreeze solution for windshields.

Keep in mind that bridges and overpasses freeze before road surfaces. Freezing air circulating above and below the bridge causes ice to form more rapidly than on a surface that has freezing air above and warmer ground below.