With September approaching, it wouldn’t be unwise to say that winter is just around the corner. For vehicle owners, it’s a dreadful season, as their vehicle’s fuel efficiency takes a huge hit. As the temperature goes below 20 degrees, most vehicles, especially gasoline-powered, experience a mileage drop of nearly 12%. Several reasons contribute to fuel efficiency so disappointing — from reduced tire pressure because of cold temperatures to increased time after ignition to reach optimal engine temperature to aerodynamics, and many others. But few practices can enable vehicle owners to achieve better fuel economy in winter, and these are:
Avoid short trips
Engines take more time to reach the optimal fuel-efficient temperature in winter than summer. This means that if you drive over short distances, you will have to spend more time warming up the engine. However, you can boost fuel efficiency should you combine several trips into one trip in a day.
Minimize idle time
Many people think that idling the engine for long will help them get a better fuel economy. However, experts at JM Auto repair in San Antonio believe that driving helps the engine reach the optimal temperature faster than idling and, therefore, no more than 30 seconds should be spent idling the engine.
Check tire pressure
For the best fuel efficiency in cold temperatures, it’s best to keep tire pressure at the recommended levels. Use a gauge to check the tire pressures to ensure the required tread depth for maximum traction. Should you encounter problems with maintaining the correct tire pressure, visit a certified auto repair San Antonio to resolve the issue.
Tuning up your car for colder weather conditions and using the recommended oil can also help you increase your vehicle mileage in winter. For more information about winter car maintenance, visit JM Automotive in San Antonio or get in touch with us today.