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A car that runs at it's peak will produce the best fuel economy. Anything that interferes with peak engine performance will decrease fuel economy and cost you gas and money. That is the reason that proper oil maintenance of your engine is critical to maintaining good fuel economy. A priority in your car maintenance needs to be scheduled oil changes. Changing the oil according to the car makers recommendations is essential to keeping your car at its peak and keeping your gas economy at its best. Oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, preventing metal-to-metal contact, minimizing friction and carrying away excess heat - all of which promote better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. Motor oil also removes dirt, metal shavings and other impurities from the engine and captures them in the oil filter. You can pay a severe penalty for neglecting engine oil, possibly even needing to replace the engine itself. Keeping track of your last oil change will save you money at the gas pump and decrease your fuel consumption. The interval between oil changes is very important. It is important to following the car makers maintenance schedule. If the manual says to change the oil every three months do it. If the manual says to change the oil every three thousand miles do it. When oil is left in an engine too long, it becomes saturated with the very dirt and impurities it is supposed to remove. Once the oil is saturated it will be less efficient in doing its job. Your car's performance will decline and your fuel economy will get worse. Another facet of proper oil care is to make sure that you are using the right grade of oil. You should use the grade of oil recommended in your owner's manual. The fuel efficiency of the engine can improve as much as 2 percent versus using the wrong grade oil especially when starting in cold weather. Using the wrong grade of oil may cause your car to run poorly as the weather changes. The wrong grade will get thick and heavy in cold weather. Oil that is too thick and heavy requires the engine to work harder because the thick and heavy oil's resistance is greater. The harder the engine works the more gasoline it will use. The wrong grade of oil can cost you 1 to 2 percent of your gas economy. If you use, for example, 10W-40 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-40 it can lower your gas mileage as much as the two percent mentioned earlier. In addition if something goes wrong with your car, and the manufacturer can show you used the wrong oil, it could void your warranty. Many car owners neglect the proper routine of oil changes. Don't loose gas mileage and money by putting it off. Make sure your oil is changed at the correct time and make sure the right grade is used. This simple routine will help you control your gas costs.
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Scott Siegel has written a 143 page book of automotive industry insider secrets on saving gas and money at the pump (beatthegaspump.com). Visit us to learn how you can get better gas mileage. Find out how to increase gas mileage. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.
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