Carl Black Of Kennesaw News/Events Blog

Fuel prices always seem to spike during the summer months, which can put a damper on road trip plans and might even make you think twice about switching on your air conditioning. According to the US Department of Energy’s fueleconomy.gov site, gas prices have risen an average of 2 percent since last December. That can add up over the course of a hot summer, but there are a few ways you can fight back. Driving sensibly, keeping your car in tune, and making sure that your tires are inflated are some of the ways to trim the fat from your monthly gas budget.

Boost Your Fuel Economy

If you’ve been driving your car for a while, you’ve probably noticed some type of dip in your fuel economy. Since your GM vehicle is a finely tuned machine, any change in fuel economy is usually a good hint that something is in need of maintenance or repair. Under-inflated tires can result in a 3 percent reduction in fuel efficiency, and an engine that’s out of tune will knock off an average of another 4 percent.

Other factors that can decrease your fuel economy include loading too much weight into your car or truck, driving too fast, and accelerating too quickly. Excessive acceleration and deceleration can reduce your fuel economy by up to 30 percent, but worn out emissions components can hit even harder. If you’re driving around with a faulty oxygen sensor, fixing the problem might provide a 40 percent boost to your fuel economy.

Scheduled Maintenance or Unscheduled Headaches

Following a regularly scheduled maintenance routine is a great way to make sure that your vehicle is always in top shape. If you never give your engine a chance to fall out of tune, you won’t ever feel the squeeze when it comes time to fuel up. However, it’s never too late or too early to check into a potential issue.

If your car isn’t running as smoothly as it used to, it might be time to have it checked out. A failed emissions test is also a good indicator that a skilled technician, like the ones at Carl Black Chevrolet Buick GMC of Kennesaw, might be able to help improve your fuel economy. Some common causes of lower fuel efficiency include:

• Worn or fouled spark plugs.
• Clogged fuel or air filters.
• The wrong grade of motor oil.
• Improper tire inflation.
• Fuel injectors that are dirty or malfunctioning.
• Bad oxygen sensors and other emissions components.

The other benefit of bringing your Buick, GMC, or Chevrolet in for regular maintenance is that it provides a chance for a skilled technician to give the vehicle a once-over. Carl Black Cheverolet Buick GMC of Kennesaw is offering a complimentary multi-point vehicle inspection, which can catch a lot of issues before they become big headaches.

Even if your vehicle is in great shape, a multi-point inspection can provide some peace of mind. Since an unexpected breakdown can torpedo an entire vacation, a free multi-point inspection just might be a real life saver during road trip season.