Mick's Automotive

Driving tips to help save gas milage

2010-07-06T13:10:00.000-07:00

The United States has a reputation for guzzling gasoline, especially in summer, when increased demand and processing costs drive up the price by an average of 10 to 20 cents per gallon. And while the recession has helped reduce U.S. gas demand in recent years, summer heat — combined with unforeseen variables like hurricanes and oil spills — can still wreak havoc with prices at the pump.
But whether you're planning a cross-country road trip or just trying to avoid spending your paycheck on commuting, there's plenty you can do to save money on gasoline. The best strategy is to simply drive less often, maybe carpooling or biking instead, but don't feel discouraged if that's not an option.
Check out these 10 ideas for ways to cut back the amount of time and money you spend at gas stations this summer:

1) Slow and steady wins the race
Gasoline mileage drops off in most cars once you're going faster than about 60 mph. For every 5 mph you drive over 60 mph, you're essentially paying an extra 24 cents per gallon of gas.
Try using cruise control on interstates and other highways to maintain a constant speed. It can also help to use your car's overdrive gears, which save fuel and engine wear by reducing your speed.

2) Be cool in traffic
Aggressive driving — speeding, swerving, sudden acceleration and braking — is not only dangerous, it can lower your gas mileage 33 percent on highways and 5 percent on city streets. Revving your engine while stopped is even more wasteful.

3) But not too cool
Air conditioning can be a big drain on gasoline, so make sure you don't just leave it on absentmindedly, and certainly don't leave it on while windows are open. You can improve your fuel efficiency in stop-and-go traffic by turning off the A/C and rolling down the windows instead, but that's not necessarily always the best idea.
When driving above 55 mph, especially for long periods on highways, the opposite is true — open windows make a vehicle less aerodynamic by letting in air, which increases air resistance and decreases fuel efficiency. On long road trips, using air conditioning could actually improve your mileage by up to 20 percent.

4) Don't just sit there
On top of pointlessly pumping out greenhouse gases without actually getting you anywhere, idling automobiles also contribute to ground-level ozone, airborne particulate matter, and other near-surface air pollution. These emissions can aggravate asthma and even hinder breathing in otherwise healthy people, especially children and the elderly.
If you're just idling to warm up your car in winter, it still only needs to run about a minute. Anything beyond that is just wasting gas.

5) Stay in tune
Fixing a car that needs a tune-up or has failed an emissions test can improve its fuel efficiency by an average of 4 percent. More serious problems, like a faulty oxygen sensor, can reduce mileage by up to 40 percent.
And don't forget to get an oil change roughly every 3,000 miles or three months, whichever comes first (or you could look into installing an Electro-Lube Oil Refiner, which reportedly eliminates the need for oil changes while boosting efficiency 3 to 4 percent).

6) Get pumped
Keeping a car's tires properly inflated can improve fuel efficiency by about 3.3 percent. It's also safer and lengthens the lifespan of your tires, since under-inflated tires lose their tread quickly in addition to wasting fuel. Regular checkups for your tires' alignment and balance aren't a bad idea, either.

7) Take a load off
While it mainly affects smaller cars, carrying extra weight means burning extra gasoline, no matter how big your vehicle is. On average, you may be cutting your fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent for every 100 extra pounds you haul.

8) Develop motor skills
Using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil can boost mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Try to also use the lowest grade of gasoline that's appropriate for your car, since high-octane grades cost several cents more per gallon.
Check your owner's manual to be sure, but as long as your engine doesn't start knocking, you're probably OK. Switching from premium to regular gasoline would save hundreds of dollars every year.

9) There's a cap for that
Gasoline can evaporate from a vehicle's fuel tank if it's able to find an opening, which is bad for your wallet and your lungs. Make sure your gas tank's cap is tightened securely after you fill up, and if the cap's threading is stripped or it fits too loosely, you might want to buy a new one.

10) Join the masses
Carpool or, even better, don't take a car at all — walk, ride a bike, or take mass transit. It saves you money, improves your personal health, and helps the planet by keeping greenhouse gases out of its atmosphere. See MNN's guide to greening your commute for more ideas.

11)For the truck drivers
You get better gas mileage with the tail gate up. When the manufactures do there wind tunnel test it is with the tail gate up.

Fuel Savings Tips

2010-06-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Fuel savings tips
One of the leading causes of decreased fuel economy is neglected maintenance. This costs consumers millions of dollars in wasted fuel. Here are a few examples:

Tire Inflation
MPG PENALTY: 1-2 MPG
Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and cause a decrease in fuel economy.

Air Filter
MPG PENALTY: Up to 2 MPG
The engine can use more than 10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so its easy to see the importance of the air filter. The air filter should be checked at every oil change.

Dirty Engine Oil
MPG PENALTY: Up to 1 MPG
Dirty engine oils cause friction in the internal engine parts, reducing efficiency.

Fuel Cap
MPG PENALTY: Up to 2 MPG
Damaged, missing or loose caps cause over 147 million gallons of fuel to evaporate each year.

Worn Spark Plugs
MPG PENALTY: Up to 2 MPG
When a spark plug wears out it can cause inefficient combustion, resulting in wasted fuel.

Wheel Alignment
MPG PENALTY: Up to 1.5 MPG
Improper alignment can lead to conditions which increase rolling resistance. This is like driving with the parking brake not fully released.

Changing a few driving habits can help you see an increase in fuel economy as well:
• Avoid quick or “jack rabbit” starts and stops.
• Sitting idle gets zero miles per gallon. Turn the vehicle off if you’ve been sitting for more than a minute.
• Drive the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 65-70 mph. Each mph driven over 70 can cost you 10 cents per gallon.
• Cruise control helps you drive the speed limit and keeps the acceleration smooth and prevents nervous surging.
• Avoid carrying unneeded heavy items in your trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2%.

Pepper The Newest Addition

2010-06-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is Pepper =). She is a Catahoula and the newest addition to the Micks Automotive family. A lot of our customers have questions about her breed. The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog or Catahoula Cur, is named after Catahoula Parish in the state of Louisiana in the United States. Of remaining dog breeds, the Catahoula is believed to have occupied North America the longest, aside from the dogs descended from Native American-created breeds. The breed is sometimes referred to as the "Catahoula Hound" or "Catahoula Leopard Hound", as it is not a true hound, but a cur. It is also called the Catahoula Hog Dog, reflecting its traditional use in hunting wild boar. The breed's size ranges from 20-26" and weighs between 50-90 lbs, with a few individuals larger. Most males average 60-70 lbs in lean working condition and are about 24" tall. As a working dog, Catahoulas have been bred more for temperament and ability than for appearance. As a result, the physical characteristics of the Catahoula are somewhat varied. The breed may have "cracked glass" or "marbled glass" eyes (heterochromia) and occurs when both colored and glass portions are present in the same eye. Cracked or marbled eyes are blue or blue-white in color. Catahoulas with two cracked or marble glass eyes are often referred to as having double glass eyes. In some cases a glass eye will have darker colored sections in it and vice versa. Cracked eyes may be half of one color and half of another. They may just have a streak or spot of another color. Gray eyes are usually cracked eyes, made of blue and green, giving them their greyish appearance. The eyes may be of the same color or each of a different color. Eye color can also be ice blue, brown, green, gray, or amber. No particular eye color is typical of Catahoulas. Catahoulas are highly intelligent and energetic. They are assertive but not aggressive by nature. They have a need to take charge of their pack whether other dogs or humans. Catahoulas make a very good family dog and are excellent with children. It has been noted that breed individuals have often taken it upon themselves to look after children without any training. A high energy dog, they need a minimum of one hour of exercise a day. They do not tolerate isolation and thrive on interaction. Having a chore or job helps occupy their time. Introducing a Catahoula to another animal should be done in the same manner as with any other dog. According to Don Abney, "Catahoulas are naturally protective of what and whom they think they own. In fact, many owners will say that the Catahoula owns them. Catahoulas have been trained for personal protection, but this breed is a natural alarm dog. He will alert you to anything out of the ordinary.

Interesting Car Facts

2010-06-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

It's always fun to learn interesting facts about cars. This mode of transportation has made commuting easy, convenient, and comfortable for humans. It has also contributed to the economic growth and progress of the country.

Here are some interesting facts on cars and the car industry:

• The First Japanese car in the United States was the Honda Accord manufactured in November 1982.
• The first cars used lever instead of steering wheel
• An airbag takes only 40 milliseconds to inflate after an accident.
• The world's longest traffic hold-up was between Paris and Lyon on the French Autoroute in 1980. It was about 110 miles long.
• The first auto insurance policy was purchased in 1897 in Westfield, MA.
• Windshield wipers were introduced by a woman.
• The first self-propelled car was invented by Nicolas Cugnot in 1769
• In 1887, Benz was the first car company to be offered for sale.

Preparing your car for summer

2010-06-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Preparing your car for the summer season is important especially if you are planning for out of town trips. Depending on how old your car is, there are several things to monitor in its present state of condition. Here are some of the things you must do:

Check Your Tires- The heat of summer can cause worn tires to fail. Visually check your tires for cracks, bubbles, and worn out tread. If any are found you should have them addressed by a reputable tire shop. If the tires pass the visual inspection then make sure they have the proper air pressure. If the tires are under or over inflated this can put undo stress on a tire causing it to fail.

Check Your Battery- You can easily tell if a battery is getting old by looking at it. If the battery has a lot of moisture or corrosion built up on the outside of it, then this could be a sign of leakage. If the battery is leaking it is only a matter of time before it fails. If the battery look like it is in poor condition then have it inspected by a mechanic.

Check Your Fluids- Due to the extreme heat that summertime can bring to your vehicle, it is always a good idea to check your fluids. Make sure that they are full and fresh. Any fluids that are dirty should be replaced. The addition of synthetic fluids can help keep your drivetrain running cooler.

Check Your Belts and Hoses- Visual inspection of your belts and hoses is one of the most important steps. Belts and hoses are the most common parts to fail during extreme heat conditions. Look at the engine drive belt to make sure that there are no visible cracks. If there are then replace the belt. With the engine cool, squeeze the hoses by hand. If they feel dry or crunchy then they should be replaced.

Check all your lights- Inner and outer lights should be checked for safety purposes.

The Beginning

2010-06-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Hello from Micks Automotive!! This is the beginning to our blogging fun! We will be updating every day to every other day, posting useful hints on how to keep your Japanese vehicle out of the shop, how to make your vehicle last, and other helpful information! Thank you for visiting our blog!

Welcome to Mick's Automotive!

2010-05-30T21:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mick's Automotive! We are your dealership alternative for Japanese vehicles in Santa Cruz, CA. Our skilled technicians use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and repair procedures to keep your vehicle in top condition.