Oil Helps Save Gas

Take Care of Your Oil If You Want To Save Gas!By: Scott Siegel
A car that is performing at it's peak will get the optimum fuel economy. If conditions of the engine deteriorate, it will loose peak performance which will then cause you to use more gas and spend more money. Oil is critical in preventing engine deterioration. Good fuel economy and proper management of the oil in your engine go hand in hand.A priority in your car maintenance needs to be scheduled oil changes. Changing the oil according to the car makers recommendations is essential to keeping your car at its peak and keeping your gas economy at its best.Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.The oil in your engine also removes metal shavings, dirt and other impurities which are then captured in the oil filter. Neglecting your cars oil can create other problems above and beyond the effects on fuel economy. Improper oil maintenance could lead to replacing the engine itself. Keeping a record of when you last had the oil changed will ultimately help you save gas.The interval between oil changes is very important. It is important to following the car makers maintenance schedule. If the manual says to change the oil every three months do it. If the manual says to change the oil every three thousand miles do it. When oil is left in an engine too long, it becomes saturated with the very dirt and impurities it is supposed to remove. Once the oil is saturated it will be less efficient in doing its job. Your car's performance will decline and your fuel economy will get worse.Make sure that you are using the right grade of oil that is required by your car or truck. By using the lowest multi grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual, you can improve the fuel efficiency of the engine, particularly when starting it cold.Using the right grade of oil ensures that your car will run as smoothly as it should in all types of weather. Oil that is too heavy forces the engine to work harder to overcome the oil's resistance. If the engine works harder it uses more gas. You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil and not a higher grade.As an illustration: using 10W-20 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage. Use only the oil recommended in the owner's manual for the best engine efficiency and the best fuel efficiency.Many drivers make the mistake of procrastinating in getting the oil changed. The more a driver puts off changing the oil the worse the fuel economy will be. Using the proper grade and changing the oil on time will help you get better gas economy.