How to make your car fuel efficient

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - In Tuesday's story 4 Your Wallet, News 4's Melissa Holmes shows us how to make our vehicles a little more fuel-efficient.

The price of gas might be lower than it was this time last year, but still it continues to rise. And car care expert Lauren Fix said prices might only get worse.

"If the Government gets what they want and there's an additional gas tax we could be back to those $4 gallons very easily."
   
So how can you save on gas? Lauren said start with keeping it in your tank. Don't let it evaporate with a loose, missing, or broken gas cap.

"You have to hear this click at least three times to know that it's on tight. If you don't hear the click, you know its leaking or its broken. Get it replaced, because what you pump in will evaporate out," said Lauren Fix.

Lauren also recommends checking your tire pressure with a digital tire pressure gauge once a month. Look in the driver's door to find the correct pressure for front and rear tires.

"And this says 32 and a half. So it actually takes me more energy to push this tire which is supposed to have 36. So it's going to affect the fuel economy somewhere around 10% and that'll really add up at the pump," she said.

Taking care of your care under the hood will make it more fuel efficient.

"So all those basic things, the hoses, the belts, the wiper blades, anything that's rubber, any fluids, should be replaced."
   
Don't under estimate the importance of having a clean air filter.

"You can have your air filter changed. It's under this box. If you don't know what you're doing any auto parts store will replace it for you if you purchase the filter there. That can save you a lot of money."

Don't forget your oil filter. Lauren said oil flushes aren't worth the money, but a good quality filter and full synthetic oil are.

"Pure synthetic oil is best because it's less friction, there's less resistance. You get better performance, better fuel economy, less emissions, and the life of the engine lasts."

She said these little things do add up. Your summer travel will be a little more enjoyable it you know you're doing all you can to save at the pump.