For Better Automotive Performance, Reconsider The Old Maintenance Standbys

For better automotive performance, reconsider the old maintenance standbys like a trustworthy motor oil.

(ARA) - Have you ever wondered why you use certain brands when it comes to products like food, laundry detergent, toilet paper and toothpaste? The same can be said for the kind of tires you put on your car or the automotive products you use. We often make our decisions based on the people who influence us every day. These influencers could be parents, friends, professionals and advertisements in the media or on the Internet.

Unfortunately, what was once the best product to meet our needs a few years ago or even a month ago, may not be what we need in our lives today. This is particularly true when you consider car products such as motor oil.

As a kid you may have watched your dad or older brother change the oil in his car or truck in the garage, and their brand loyalty transferred to your own buying habits. "I used a particular brand for years because that's what my dad used," says Shawn Kelly of Baytown, Texas. The next time you reach for your next quart of oil, ask yourself what made you choose one brand over the others on the shelf.

In the past, there was a common perception about motor oil: "If it's thicker, it must be better." That old adage is no longer true for today's motor oils. As new vehicle models are released each year, engineers are making tweaks and improvements in car designs not only to the body, but under the hood as well. As a result, with motor oil standards set forth by the Society of Automotive Engineers, American Petroleum Institute licensing and emissions standards, motor oil manufacturers must constantly try to meet the needs of the new engines by improving their formulations and product lines.

If you currently use conventional motor oil, there are several reasons to consider using synthetic motor oil like Royal Purple. Synthetic oils are base oils mixed with additives that can provide benefits like protecting the engine from corrosion and extending the drain intervals, which means fewer oil changes and less waste disposed in the environment. Synthetic oils come in a variety of viscosities or thicknesses that are suitable for your vehicle. These include oils for newer models and vehicles still under warranty, like Royal Purple's SAE SN motor oils that are available in mono-grade and multi-grade viscosities. For older vehicles no longer under warranty, and those drivers seeking better performance and protection, Royal Purple offers their High Performance Street (HPS) motor oil series that includes the proprietary additive technology Synerlec.

Next time you're talking cars, ask your dad why he buys the brands he does, and you might find he was influenced by his own dad or mentor. These days, parents are being educated by their children about new products on the market. If you are considering a change to synthetic oil, consult your owner's manual about the correct viscosity motor oil to use and make sure you will not void your warranty. If you have specific questions about Royal Purple synthetic motor oil or products, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section at www.royalpurple.com, or email your specific questions to the Royal Purple Technical Department at rpautotech@royalpurple.com.

Automotive : Link Sponsors

Related Articles:
Engine Coolant Is A Year Round Concern
Does Severe Service Driving Apply To You
Help Keep Your Car From Early Retirement
Finding The Right Motor Oil For Your Car
Hot Tips For Summer Battery Care
Car Care Booklet Takes The Scare Out Of Car Care
New Shock, Strut Options From Monroe
Before Summer Fun, Make Sure Your Vehicle Can Handle the Heat
Keep Your Engine Cool When Temps Heat Up
Simple Steps To Save Money On Your Car
How To Restore Headlights On Your Car
Cruise Into Summer With Simple Auto Fixes
Preparing Your Car For Warm Weather Driving
Tune–up Tips For Today's Driver
Car Carpet Repair - How To Repair The Carpet In A Car

View the original article here

How Smart Truck Drivers Get Better Gas Mileage

How smart truck drivers get better gas mileage is something you should read. If truckers can get better gas mileage, you can too. Read and find out how you can save money and be more fuel efficient.

(ARA) - If your family has started to rethink your travels because of fuel prices, you may be looking for ways to save a few dollars at the gas pump when you fill up your truck. And if purchasing a new, more fuel-efficient truck isn't an option for your family, here are some ways you can save gas money now.

* Fuel Choice:

The first place to start saving is at the pump. Choose the fuel with the lowest octane level possible for your vehicle. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year, according to the Car Care Council (CCC), while using it won't boost your truck's performance. Once your tank is filled, make sure you tighten your gas cap to prevent fuel from evaporating. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gasoline to evaporate each year, according to the CCC.

* Driving Style:

The less you drive, the less you'll spend on gasoline. When you must get behind the wheel, consider your driving style. If you like to get up to speed quickly, and slow down at the last minute for a stop light or sign, you're likely burning extra fuel. Instead, stop and start gently, use cruise control when possible and reduce the amount of trips you make each day to reduce your gas consumption.

* Reduce Drag:

Smooth out the aerodynamics of your truck with a truck bed cover, or a tonneau cover. Such covers, like the Access Roll-Up Cover, manufactured by Agri-Cover Inc., a North Dakota truck accessory company, are the easiest step you can take to see immediate gas mileage improvement. The roll-up cover is lockable, so not only does it help reduce your drag while traveling at high speed, it also protects your gear and improves the look of your vehicle. This cover installs easily with a clamp-on installation and can be rolled up behind the cab when not in use. For more information on the Access Roll-Up Cover and to find out how much gas money you could save, visit www.accesscover.com.

* Maintenance:

Checking and changing your oil is one of the most overlooked maintenance items, according to most auto body technicians. Oil is responsible for reducing wear caused by friction between moving parts in your truck's engine. It also helps to remove harmful substances from the engine. But if your oil isn't clean, it can't do its job appropriately. Also make sure the oil, air and fuel filters are clean as well. Once you're finished checking your truck's engine components, check your tires to see if they have the proper air pressure as recommended by your truck manufacturer. Proper inflation can improve your gas mileage by up to 3 percent.

Automotive : Link Sponsors

Related Articles:
How To Spend Less Money On Fuel When Gas Prices Rise
Separate Fuel Facts From Fiction
Tips For Increasing Your Truck's Gas Mileage
Conserving Gasoline Is Always in Style
Fuel Economy Canada
Stretch Your Gasoline Be Fuel Efficient
Ten Ways To Save Fuel
Tips For Saving Money At The Pump
Looking to Truckers for Gas-Saving Tips
Air in Tires: A Political and Money Issue
Winter Gas Saving Tips
Gas Savings Tips You Can Implement Today
How to Get the Most Out of Every Gas Purchase
An Easy Way to Reduce the Price at the Pump
Spark Plugs Play a Key Role in Fuel Efficiency

View the original article here

Better Gas Mileage: Ten Easy Tips For Big Savings

While gas prices are on their way down, there's not a whole lot of relief yet—at least not in time for the busy Memorial Day holiday travel weekend.

According to a study from the AAA, gas prices will impact about four out of ten holiday travelers. But it doesn't have to pinch your wallet as much as you think; the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) has arranged a list of fuel-saving strategies.

"With the Memorial Day kick-off of the summer driving season, there's no reason consumer should pay for gas they don't need," said Jack Gillis, the author of The Car Book and Director of Public Affairs for the CFA.

The organization estimates that Americans could improve their gas mileage by about 13 percent just by following this tips wherever relevant. Some of them are common-sense measures, while others (like keeping your speed down, and vehicle aligned and in tune) improve your safety as well.

For instance, the organization says that just removing 100 pounds of accessories or items carried around in your vehicle, you gain up to two percent in fuel efficiency, and that's as if gas were to cost six cents less; and simply driving smoother can save about 68 cents a gallon.

Here are the CFA's ten ways to save on gas, based on a pump price of $3.85 per gallon:

Tips for better gas mileage - based on $3.85/gallon - from CFA

Enlarge Photo

[Consumer Federation of America]

View the original article here

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Sells Better Than Expected, Ford Says

Source: GreenCarReports.com

When Lincoln launched its 2011 MKZ Hybrid model at the New York Auto Show last spring, the car was less remarkable than its price of $35,180.

The number was a surprise because it was the same price as the only other engine option for the MKZ, a 3.5-liter V-6. So what do we know about the two models' sales since the Hybrid's October launch?

According to Ford, the MKZ Hybrid is outselling the company's internal projections. With more than one in five 2011 MKZ models leaving dealership lots with the hybrid option, that's a substantial rise on Lincoln's internal projections of 15 percent of the total.

To provide a little perspective, total sales of all hybrid models represent only 2 to 3 percent of the overall U.S. new-vehicle market.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is the only hybrid in Lincoln's lineup, and uses the same specially-tuned 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and twin motor-generator hybrid system as on Ford's other hybrid models, the 2011 Fusion Hybrid sedan and 2011 Escape Hybrid crossover.

The hybrid MKZ, which is offered only as a front-wheel-drive model, is rated by the EPA 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 39 mpg.

By contrast, the non-hybrid MKZ returns 18 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, for a combined rating of 21 mpg in front-wheel-drive form.

That, folks, is a 90-percent improvement, substantial even for luxury-car buyers who don't need to economize on gasoline.

Those ratings are the same as the now-discontinued 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid, which was effectively replaced by the MKZ Hybrid in Ford's overall lineup.

Adding all-wheel-drive to the V-6 MKZ penalizes its mileage even further, with rankings of only 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and a combined 19-mpg rating.

Lincoln says San Diego dealer Ed Witt has sold MKZ Hybrid models to former owners of Toyota Prius hybrids, Lexus luxury cars, and even a few BMW owners.

His dealership has sold more MKZ Hybrids than any other U.S. dealer, reflecting Californian buyers' greater interest in green cars--and the state's higher average gasoline prices.

Reflecting the impact of Lincoln's innovative pricing strategy, General Motors announced that its 2012 Buick Lacrosse with eAssist would be offered at the same base price as the 2012 Lacrosse model with the 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The MKZ and Lacrosse are arguably competitors in the midsize near-luxury sedan market.

Specific prices on the 2012 Lacrosse line won't be released until later this year, but both are expected to start "around $30,000," according to GM executives.

[Ford]

+++++++++++

Follow GreenCarReports on Facebook and Twitter.

View the original article here