The Road to Vacation Can Lead to Savings

Article contributed by Affinity Federal Credit Union from their quarterly magazine, Affinity Connections. For more information about Affinity or to view Affinity Connections in its entirety, visit www.affinityfcu.org/ connections.

Many of us are likely to pack up our cars this summer and take vacations closer to home rather than fly to some far-off destination. With that in mind, we asked automotive expert Dave Lacamera, owner of the Auto Resource Center of Hunterdon and a 30-year veteran of the car business, for tips that can save you some money and help make your vacation a bit more relaxing.

Q: How can I improve my car’s fuel efficiency?
A: Regular engine maintenance is one of the best ways. If you replace the oxygen sensor when recommended by your car’s owner manual, fuel efficiency can improve by as much as 40%.

Changing the air filter every 15,000–25,000 miles can also improve fuel economy. A dirty filter alters the air-fuel ratio, which means a car burns more gas.

When it’s time for an oil change, use synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction-reducing additive. It can improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

Q: Can tire pressure affect MPG?
A: Reports state fuel economy can be improved by about 3% if the right amount of air is in your tires. Proper tire pressure can be found on a sticker in the driver’s-side door jamb or the glove box. Use the car manufacturer’s recommended pressure, not the range on the tire’s sidewall, because each auto has its own requirements.

Proper air pressure extends the life of your tires. If the pressure is too low, the edges will wear out early; too high, and the tire’s center will be worn too soon.

Tire pressure should be checked when the seasons change. Other maintenance to lengthen the life of your tires includes rotating them every 12,000–15,000 miles and having wheel alignments every 30,000– 35,000 miles.

Q: How do my driving habits affect fuel economy and my engine?
A: Aggressive driving, including speeding, rapid acceleration and quick stops, can lower your gas mileage by one-third when you are driving at highway speeds. Plus, it’s hard on your engine and you’ll be buying new brakes more often than someone who drives at a steady speed.

Driving 55–60 MPH can improve gas mileage, as long as the engine is in overdrive. In essence, overdrive is the highest gear and allows a car to travel at faster speeds while the engine operates at lower RPMs. Most cars with automatic transmissions are designed to drive in overdrive at all times. Your owner’s book will explain how and when to turn overdrive off. If your car has a manual transmission, overdrive will be the highest gear. Depending on the model, overdrive will be the 4th, 5th or 6th gear. Overdrive not only saves gas but is easier on the engine.

Q: Is cruise control beneficial for MPG?
A: Cruise control is fuel efficient when driving on flat highways. If you are taking roads with a lot of hills, it’s not as beneficial because it forces the engine to work hard to maintain speed.

Q: What other fuel saving tips can you give?
A: Reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible. Use the air conditioner instead of keeping the windows open when traveling at highway speeds, and remove “turtle tops” and any other roof racks if you’re not using them.

Q: Are there other travel tips you can recommend?
A: Before going on a trip, have the car thoroughly checked, especially the belts and hoses. If they are worn, the belts can break, and this can wind up costing thousands of dollars and causing significant engine damage.

Invest in a car safety kit. It costs less than $100 and can save you from being towed in many cases. Also, join AAA or another motor club. The club’s benefits, such as free tow service and lower hotel rates, outweigh membership fees.

Always bring a spare car key with you. You don’t want to be on vacation and lose your only key.

July 13, 2009