As Gas Prices Continue to Rise, Walt's Offers Simple Auto Care Tips to Help Conserve Fuel.Inexpensive Fixes Can Significantly Improve Fuel Efficiency as Gas Prices Rise During the Summer Driving Season SEATTLE -- With gas prices on the rise, Walt's Auto Care Centers is offering tips to improve fuel efficiency during the summer driving season. Doug Danstrom of Walt's shares maintenance ideas to make each tank last longer as gas prices shoot past $4.00 a gallon. Walt's is a locally owned neighborhood repair shop with over 20 Puget Sound Puget Sound (py  `jĕt), arm of the Pacific Ocean, NW Wash., connected with the Pacific by Juan de Fuca Strait, entered through the Admiralty Inlet and extending in two arms c. locations (www.waltswrench.com).
"A well-maintained car uses gas better," said Danstrom. "To cope with high gas prices, drivers can reduce the number of trips to the pump during the summer driving season with a few preventative measures." According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Federal Energy Information Administration (EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance, Arlington, VA, www.eia.org) A membership organization founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturing Association. It sets standards for consumer products and electronic components. ), the nationwide average for regular gas is $3.93, up 19 percent from 2007. Washington's gas prices are higher, according to the American Automobile Association American Automobile Association (AAA), federation of American automobile clubs, est. 1902. AAA provides a number of benefits to its members, including emergency road service; national and international travel assistance, e.g. (AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. ), with an average of $4.14. AAA Washington also indicates many are taking trips closer to home to manage costs. Walt's tips include: Replace the air filter. Replacing a dirty filter can improve fuel efficiency as much as 10 percent, saving about $.41 per gallon. Most manuals recommend replacing filters every 9,000 miles. Change engine oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Dirty oil can cause vehicles to lose 1 to 2 percent, or $.04 to $.08 per gallon. Perform a fuel system tune-up. A tune-up can improve fuel-efficiency as much as 4 percent. Perform a transmission flush To empty the contents of a memory buffer. See buffer. Flush Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s spaniel, subject of a biography. [Br. Lit.: Woolf Flush in Barnhart, 446] See : Dogs (data) flush . A transmission not at peak performance can decrease fuel efficiency. Symptoms of a transmission needing service include rough shifting and gear slippage Slippage The difference between estimated transaction costs and the amount actually paid. Notes: Slippage is usually attributed to a change in the spread. See also: Spread, Transaction Costs Slippage . Check tire pressure. Under-inflated tires can significantly reduce fuel efficiency. Check to ensure proper inflation and save 3 percent or $0.12 per gallon. Danstrom also advocates some common sense tips. Removing unnecessary weight, like luggage LUGGAGE. Such things as are carried by a traveller, generally for his personal accommodation; baggage. In England this word is generally used in the same sense that baggage is used in the United States. See Baggage. racks, can increase fuel efficiency 1 to 2 percent for every 100 pounds of weight removed. Fuel efficiency also decreases at speeds of 60 miles per hour or more. Save as much as $0.26 to $0.86 per gallon by observing speed limits. About Walt's Auto Care Walt's Auto Care Centers have served neighborhoods in the Puget Sound for almost 50 years. With over 20 locations, Walt's continues to help customers maintain and repair their vehicles. For more information, call 1-888-GO-WALTS (1-888-469-2587) or visit www.waltswrench.com. |
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