If your car’s fuel system is dirty, you will be wasting gas and losing performance.

Unless you drive a vintage car, you have fuel injectors.  They need to be properly maintained. That is why your owner’s manual has a schedule for cleaning your fuel injectors and other parts of your fuel system.

Your service technician has the tools and chemicals to do the job right. Your service center uses a process that gives your car a deep, professional fuel system cleaning.  The particles, gum and varnish that build up in  your fuel system are removed so that it can run cleanly and efficiently.

After a professional fuel system cleaning, you’ll notice more power, better gas mileage and reduced exhaust emissions. AutoNetTV strongly recommends you follow your manufacturer’s fuel system cleaning service recommendations to keep your vehicle running strong.

It’s expensive to replace a fuel injector that’s been damaged by neglect.  Check with your service technician and see when your car is scheduled for a fuel system cleaning.

We all know we’re supposed to go to the dentist twice a year. We get our teeth cleaned and have a thorough dental inspection. Once a year, we get x-rays to look for problems that can’t be seen with the naked eye. When the dentist is done, he tells us what he’s found – “Everything’s fine, see you in six months.” Or “You’ve got a small cavity starting, let’s schedule an appointment to take care of it.” By the time you leave, you have a plan for addressing any necessary repairs.

This system works so much better than waiting for a painful problem before going into the dentist. Small problems are fixed before they turn into big problems. And you avoid those huge bills.

If we buy into this way of handling our dental care, why do we resist so much when facing the same system for our car care?

Following the manufacturer’s recommended intervals can be confusing. First there are recommendations for so many things: oil changes, transmission, coolant, air conditioning, power steering, brakes, fuel system, filters, belts, hoses, alignment, rotation, balancing …you get the point.

Every item has a recommended interval and it’s hard to keep it all straight – even if you’re part of the 1% of the population that reads your owners’ manual.

And if you have more than one car, the complexity is multiplied. You’d need a computer to keep track of everything. We’ll, that’s how your service center does it. They subscribe to automotive databases that have your vehicle’s recommended intervals. You may have wondered how they know what else to recommend when you take your car in for an oil change – it’s all in the computer.

Well, it’s not all in the computer. There are other variables that can’t be accounted for in the schedule. Things like the weather conditions, altitude, and where and how you drive need to be taken into account. Talk about these things with your service advisor and you may decide that the severe service schedule in your owner’s manual is more appropriate.

Since anything that’s not highway driving in moderate weather is considered severe, most of us do at least some of that and it should be taken into consideration.

Let’s take your basic oil change as an example – what issues are involved? The oil you put in your car is a blend of base oil and special additives. There are detergents to clean the inside of your engine and corrosion inhibitors. A good quality motor oil will not only lubricate your engine, it will help it stay clean inside and run cooler.

Now, these additives deplete with use and time. That’s why most maintenance recommendations include both a time and mileage element – like 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.

It’s easy to think, “Gee, I’ve only driven 2,000 miles in the last 3 months. I can wait on that oil change.” But you need to remember that the inside of your engine is a harsh environment. The oil is contaminated with combustion by-products that starts degrading its effectiveness even when it’s just sitting there.

A lot of people don’t realize the harm that can be done by just skipping a single oil change. There are a lot of metal parts moving around in your engine. Small bits of metal wear off and are floating around in your oil. They can be carried to more delicate areas of the engine where they cause damage. Your oil filter is designed to trap metal particles and other dirt, but if it’s clogged up because you haven’t changed it, it can’t trap any more.

Oil sludge is another problem. Sludge is oil that has turned to a gunky jelly – think Vaseline. Obviously, sludge doesn’t lubricate. It can also clog small oil passages so that all the parts don’t get properly protected by the oil. That’ll lead to premature wear.

If you’ve missed some oil changes, don’t despair. Just talk with your service advisor. Fess up – you’ll feel better. And he can help you get back on track. Following recommended intervals is the key to keeping your car on the road and avoiding major repairs.

Getting enough fuel to your engine is very important for performance, fuel economy and safety.  In order to accomplish this, your fuel system needs to be clean.

Today’s production cars have fuel injectors, rather than a carburetor.  The injectors need to be cleaned from time to time in order to deliver the fuel with the correct pressure, spray pattern and volume.

You can buy fuel system cleaners that you just pour into your gas tank that can help maintain an already clean fuel system – but can’t do a major cleaning.  For that, you need to see your service center.  They have the tools and chemicals to do the job right.  They remove particles, gum and varnish from your fuel system and get those injectors running cleanly and efficiently.

You’ll enjoy more power, better gas mileage and reduced exhaust emissions. The cleaners also help prevent rust and corrosion in your fuel system and lubricate vital engine parts.

And, as with all maintenance, it can help prevent costly repairs that can happen because you didn’t take preventative steps. Check with your service technician and see when your car is scheduled for a fuel system cleaning.

New cars cost so much these days.  Add financing and insurance and, well a new vehicle may not seem so attractive.  A lot of people are hoping to make their cars last a lot longer.

The good news is that with the current state of automotive engineering and manufacture, there’s no reason a modern vehicle can’t be made to last for a 150,000 miles or more.

There is an old saying that says, “a stitch in time saves nine” and that is really true when it comes to taking care of your car.  A great example is coolant service.

Over time, coolant becomes corrosive and actually starts to damage your radiator and other parts.  That’s why you need to have your cooling system serviced on a regular schedule.

The same is true for your power steering system, brake fluid, air conditioning system, differential and transmission. And your oil changes should be done right on schedule to avoid the build up of harmful oil sludge.

Don’t let your brake pads go too long before they are worn to the point that they cause damage to rotors. Preventive maintenance is a great way to keep your operating costs down.

Replacing belts and hoses is much cheaper than repairing the damage that can be caused by failure.

Now this is a lot to remember.  Your service center can keep on top of this stuff.  They can tell you what your manufacturer recommends and help you with a plan to take care of it.

Bottom line – take care of this stuff on schedule and you will reduce operating costs, prevent costly damage and maintain your warranty coverage.
Take good care of your car, and it’ll take good care of you.

We’re living in a disposable society.  Everything from elaborate packaging to our clothing.  Even cell phones are disposable.  When replacement is cheaper than repair, the term “built to last” goes by the wayside. An exception is our vehicles.  They’re still a very big investment and we want to make them last as long as possible – and we want to make keeping them, as cheap as possible. When talking cars, it’s all about preventive maintenance.  There is an old saying that says, “a stitch in time saves nine” and that is really true when it comes to taking care of your car.  A great example is coolant service.

Your coolant not only protects your engine from overheating and freezing – it must also protect cooling system components from corrosion.  Over time, coolant becomes corrosive and actually starts to damage your radiator and other parts.  That’s why you need to have your cooling system serviced on a regular schedule.

The same is true for your power steering system, brake fluid, air conditioning system, differential and transmission. And of course, don’t forget those oil changes right on schedule.  Skipping even one change can start the build up of harmful oil sludge.

Our engines are full of gaskets and seals.  Fresh fluids condition those gaskets and seals to keep them from drying out and leaking. Automotive fluids contain additives that help clean and lubricate the various systems they protect.  Over time, the additives are used up and the fluid just does not provide the protection it did when it was fresh. And don’t forget the mechanical systems.  Changing brake pads before they are worn to the point that they cause damage to rotors is a great way to keep your operating costs down.

Replacing serpentine belts and timing belts on schedule is much cheaper than repairing the damage that can be caused by failure. Also, air filters, fuel filters, PCV valves and batteries are all important.  Regular wheel alignments, tire rotation and balancing will make your tires last longer.  And don’t forget to replace your shocks and struts when they wear out. Your fuel system needs regular cleaning to keep running well, prevent mechanical damage and reduce fuel consumption.

Now this is a lot to remember – too much really.  But it is your technician’s job to keep on top of this stuff.  They can tell you what your manufacturer recommends and help you with a plan to take care of it.   He can advise you about which maintenance schedule you should use – the regular schedule or the severe service schedule – depending on the kind of driving you do. He will also know the right fluids for your vehicle and may even suggest higher mileage formulations for your older vehicle.

Bottom line – take care of this stuff on schedule and you will reduce operating costs, prevent costly damage and maintain your warranty coverage.

Of course, you want your car to look as good as it runs.  Regular washing will prevent rust and protect your finish. Take advantage of cleaners, waxes and protectants for your interior and tires.  Your vehicle will look great and you’ll be proud to drive it longer.

Most of us can’t afford to throw away our car when it breaks down.  By budgeting for regular preventive maintenance, we can prevent many inconvenient – and expensive – problems down the road, and can keep driving “old faithful” for years to come.

The last new car sold with a carburetor in North America rolled out of the dealership in 1990.  Since then, all new vehicles have had fuel injectors. In very simple terms, a fuel injector is a valve that squirts fuel into your engine.  Your engine control computer tells the fuel injector how much gas to deliver as well as the precise time it should be delivered.  Of course this happens thousands of times a minute.  Fuel injection is a much more precise way of delivering fuel than carburetors. That translates into better fuel economy and power. Virtually all fuel injectors for gas engines are know as port fuel injectors because they deliver the fuel to a port just outside the cylinder.  Port fuel injectors operate at about 40 to 80 pounds per square inch of pressure.

A few auto makers have introduced gas direct injection systems on some engines recently.  These systems inject the gas directly into the cylinders under very high pressure – hundreds of times the pressure of port injection systems.  Although more complicated, direct injection technology promises greater power with improved fuel economy, so we can expect to see more of it in the future.
As you can see, the level of precision required of your fuel injectors is very high.  They need to be operating properly in order for your car to run right.

High temperatures under your hood and variations in gas quality cause fuel injectors to become fouled with wax, dirt, and carbon. Injectors can become partially clogged, preventing them from delivering the proper amount of fuel at the correct pressure. The design of each engine requires a specific spray pattern from the fuel injector that might be altered when the injector is dirty. When injectors are dirty, the fuel doesn’t burn as efficiently resulting in poor fuel economy and loss of power.  So it is important to keep your fuel injectors clean.

Your service center can perform a fuel system service for you.  That is a fuel system service – not just fuel injector cleaning. That is because the fuel has a lot of ways to become dirty or contaminated between the gas tank and the fuel injector. A fuel system service starts with a fuel filter replacement.  This filter cleans the gas as it leaves the tank. The various parts of the fuel intake system need to be cleaned from time to time to remove harmful gum, deposits and varnish. Finally, the fuel injectors are cleaned so that they operate properly and deliver the right amount of fuel at the right time.

Your service center uses a process for cleaning your fuel system that includes state-of-the-art cleaning chemicals as well as some old fashioned scrubbing. Proper maintenance of your fuel system means that you will spend less on gas, enjoy strong performance and prevent costly repairs down the road.

You would never like to drink a glass of mud, right? Well, your car feels the same way.  It needs a steady supply of clean fuel in order to run well and deliver good fuel economy. The fuel filter’s job is to clean dirt and rust out of the fuel before it gets to your engine. A clogged fuel filter can actually choke off the engine so that it won’t start or run.  Some fuel filters have a bypass valve that allows fuel to go around the clogged filter so your car will still run.  But, then the contaminated fuel can plug your fuel injectors and allow damaging particles into your engine.

A car with a partially clogged fuel filter might run well around town, but sputter and strain on the highway because it’s starving for gas. There are two things that affect how often you need to replace the filter. They are: where you drive and the gas you buy.  If you drive a lot on dirt or gravel roads, your fuel filter will have a harder time keeping the fuel clean.

And, we hate to say it, but buying the cheapest gas from cut-rate stations sometimes means dirtier fuel that’ll clog the filter sooner.  Major brands tend to be cleaner and certainly have higher levels of detergent additives.

Of course, your manufacturer recommends intervals for changing the fuel filter. But, it’s a little more complicated than that.  Some manufacturers stopped listing recommended intervals for fuel filter replacement or have very long intervals like every five years or eighty thousand miles. So you may need to look to other sources for recommendations. Cars older than six or seven years are especially at risk because they have had time for dirt and rust to build up in the fuel tank. A clean fuel filter keeps the gas flowing.  Even a partially clogged filter puts added strain on the fuel pump. That can shorten its life and result in a costly repair.

As is often the case, spending a little money now on something as inexpensive as a fuel filter can save money down the road.  It is better than fixing a burned out fuel pump or ruined fuel injectors.

The price of gas has got everyone talking.  It seems that people who need a bigger vehicle to carry family and gear, or provide four wheel drive, are especially hit hard. That is why we thought it would be good to review some things that anyone can do to improve fuel economy.

First let’s start with how we drive.  People may not realize that they can really save on gas by just changing a few driving habits. One of the biggest is jackrabbit starts – you know, flooring the gas as soon as the light turns green.  That really wastes a lot of fuel.  Building up your speed at a slower pace uses less fuel and is easier on your engine and drive train.  And don’t drive with one foot on the brake.  That’s also a drag on fuel economy, and it wears out your brakes faster too.

Another thing is to drive slower – but only when it’s safe.  Sometimes on the highway we drive an extra five … ten . . . twenty … over the speed limit.  We do it to save time, but it only saves a few minutes out of maybe an hour long drive, and we may use 10 to 15 % more gas.  Just leave a little bit earlier, save some money and arrive more relaxed.

You can also try and group all of your errands for the day into just one trip, rather than several.  If you can put off a trip today that can be combined with one tomorrow – you can save some time and money.

Using your cruise control can save money too.  Driving at a constant speed really improves fuel economy.  Be sure to only use your cruise control under safe conditions – you can look in your owner’s manual for some good tips on using your cruise control.

Did you know that reducing the weight in your vehicle saves gas?  Clean out the trunk or back seat from time to time so that you are not paying to carry around a lot of stuff you do not need in the car. If you live where there is snow and ice, clear it off your car.  They add weight and mess with aerodynamics too.

Another tip is to avoid long idle times, which includes warming it up when you start.  Modern engines do not require a long warm up to get going – just take it easy for a couple of miles.

Be sure to get a new gas cap if yours leaks or is worn.

Now, let’s start talking mechanical.  Bottom line – the better you maintain your vehicle, the less fuel you will use.  It all adds up in a big way.  For example, replacing your dirty engine air filter will pay for itself in fuel savings before your next oil change – and will keep saving you money after that.

A clean, well-maintained fuel system really pays big dividends.  A clogged fuel filter wastes gas.  So does a dirty fuel system, grimy fuel injectors and plugged up PCV valves.  A fuel system service decreases the gas you use, and increases the power – so you can’t go wrong with that.

Some of us ignore our check engine light.  But fixing the problem that caused the light to come on will usually save some fuel as well.  It may be a bad oxygen sensor that can really rob your fuel economy.

And, it may be time for a tune-up.  Tune-ups should improve your fuel economy. Don’t overlook the routine maintenance items, like scheduled oil changes, transmission and cooling system service.  Dirty or low fluids actually use more fuel.  Just look at your manufacturer’s recommended service intervals in the owner’s manual, or ask your service advisor for the schedule.

Don’t forget your tires.  Underinflated tires waste gas.  And if your wheels are out of alignment you won’t get the economy you need.

None of these things are very complicated or expensive to stay on top of.  When you maintain your car properly, you save gas today, and prevent costly repairs tomorrow.

We live in such a disposable society.  It’s amazing all the stuff we throw away.  New stuff comes out so fast, we just toss the old and move on.  In the old days people were real sticklers about taking care of their things. If something got lost or ruined by neglect, tough – we had to do without. Most people couldn’t afford new cars very often, so they had to make them last as long as they could.

It’s a good thing that cars are more reliable these days. They just don’t break down as often.  And the good news for us penny pinchers is that a modern car can easily go 200,000 miles/320,000 km with proper care. The engineering and the manufacturing quality is tremendous.  The missing ingredient is us making sure we follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedules.

Every time you go a couple thousand extra miles between oil changes, you have created an opportunity for sludge to be formed and clog passages.  Then some parts don’t get properly lubricated and they start to wear out faster.  Skip a cooling system service, and the corrosion inhibitors become depleted, and the radiator starts being damaged – one step closer to a failure. Same thing is true for transmission service, power brakes, fuel system cleaning – really everything on your schedule.

It is probably even more important for older vehicles. Those engines and other systems have had more time to get dirty, so they are a bit more stressed anyway.  But it is never too late to get back on track with your maintenance and to hold off further damage.

And it really does start with the oil change. When you get a full service oil change they top off all your fluids and check for other items that are on your maintenance schedule.  It’s like your safety net. Go in for oil changes on time, and let your service advisor help you keep track of the rest.

Some things are going to wear out along the way, things like alternators, water pumps, etc.
But fixing those is cheaper than a new car payment.  And taking care of problems early means they have less time to mess with other things.  It is like having high cholesterol – you don’t want to wait for a heart attack before you address it.

Is your car sometimes hard to start?  When you turn the key, does it hesitate or stutter? If so, the problem could be the result of a dirty fuel system.  Your car’s fuel system starts with the air filter and ends in the top of your engine.  Over time, different parts of the system get dirty, which robs you of performance and hurts your fuel economy.

Most of today’s cars have fuel injectors, rather than a carburetor.  Fuel injection systems have fewer problems and require less adjustment.  But they still need to be properly maintained. This is why your owner’s manual has a schedule for cleaning your fuel injectors and other parts of your fuel system.

Some people are interested in buying fuel system cleaners that you can pour into your gas tank.  You can do that -  and there are lots of great products available that can help maintain an already clean fuel system – but these products cannot do a major cleaning.  For that, you need to see your service center.  They have the professional tools and chemicals to really do a complete service. Your service center uses a process that gives your car a deep, professional fuel system cleaning.  They remove particles, gum and varnish from your fuel system and get those injectors running cleanly and efficiently.  After a professional fuel system cleaning, you’ll notice more power, better fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions.

The cleaners also help prevent rust and corrosion in your fuel system and lubricate vital engine parts.  Fuel system cleaning is just one of those recommended service items that helps keep your vehicle running strong. As with all maintenance, it can help avoid costly repairs that often result from not taking the right preventive steps. And you will notice the difference in how well your car runs. Check with your service advisor to see when your car is scheduled for a fuel system cleaning.  An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure.