Is Your Car Stealing Your Lunch Money?
Try these Gas Pump Smackdowns
With gas
prices menacingly hovering near $4/gallon again, what can you do to keep
from being bullied at the pump by your car?
Plenty. Try
these no-cost and low-cost smackdowns from Monro. You’ll save green and you’ll go
green, too.
Smackdown #1
– Check your tires. Get up to 3% better gas mileage by keeping your
tires inflated to the correct air pressure. Use an accurate pressure gauge.
Don’t fill your tires by eye. Or, stop by the Monro where you live or work.
We’ll be happy to top off your tires. Not only do you save money on gas, you
save money on tires because your treads wear longer. Estimated gasoline savings
@ $4 per gallon - $0.12/gallon.*
Smackdown #2
– Keep your engine in tune. If you notice a drop off in your mpg, a loss of power, or if your vehicle stalls, knocks, or runs rough, it could be time for a professional tune-up. Definitely, have an evaluation if your check engine light comes on or the vehicle fails your state emissions test. A properly tuned engine improves gas mileage an average of 4%. Save 20% Off Tune-Up/Engine Service. Est. savings - $0.15/gallon.
Smackdown #3
– Use the recommended grade of oil. Regular oil changes—every 3,000 miles
for most drivers—will maximize your vehicle’s performance, protect your engine
and improve your gas mileage by up to 2%. Using the wrong grade of oil, 10W-30
instead of 5W-30, for example, cancels out that savings. Ask the experts at
Monro to recommend a lubricant for your vehicle. Our $21.99 Oil Change &
More includes 5 quarts of Valvoline® oil, new oil filter, tire rotation,
brake inspection, tire pressure check and chassis lube. Est. savings - $0.08/gallon.
Smackdown #4
– Get an alignment. Your wheels are like four draft horses. You want
them pulling in the same direction. Boost your fuel economy anywhere between
0.5% and 10% by getting a wheel alignment. Take 20% off an
alignment. Have your car checked the next time your rotate your
tires. Est. savings - $0.02/gallon.
Smackdown #5
– Lighten the load. Are you driving around with a set of golf clubs in
the trunk? Bocce balls? Books for the library sale? Tools “just in case”?
Reduce unnecessary cargo weight and improve your fuel economy by 1 percent or
more. Est. savings - $0.04/gallon.
Smackdown #6
– Idleness is the Devil’s playground. Stop excessive idling and you can
save up to 20% on your gas consumption. For argument’s sake, we’ll say 5%. Est.
savings - $0.20/gallon.
Smackdown #7
– Steady as you go. Gradual accelerations and decelerations, constant
highway speed, and sensible braking save you an additional 10% on gas. Cruise
control helps on the expressways. Est. savings - $0.40/gallon.
Congratulations! You just drove
down the price of gas $1.01.
If you drive 20,000 miles per year and your car gets 25 miles per gallon, that’s
an annual savings of $816! Just by taking care of your vehicle and adjusting
the way you drive. But wait, there’s more...
Smackdown #8
– Slow down. If you spend a lot of time on the expressway, you can save
big bucks by driving 55 miles per hour. Traveling at 70 miles per hour increases
your gas consumption by a whopping 25%. Est. savings - $1.00/gallon.
Smackdown #9
– Turn off the air. Air
conditioning reduces your fuel economy by as much as 20%. Worse, is idling
while your air condition is running. Unfortunately, driving at 55 mph with the
windows down cancels half of the gain. Est. savings - $0.40/gallon.
Smackdown #10 – Walk. If you live a few blocks from work, school or
leisure activities, why drive at all? The exercise is good for you and your
family. Est. savings - you do the math.
Monro offers
fast, convenient maintenance services that boost fuel economy. Schedule an appointment online.
Or, stop by at your convenience. Same day appointments are available. We're
open extended daytime hours, evenings and weekends.
*Based
on gasoline priced at $4.00 per gallon.
Sources: U.S. Department of Energy’s Gas Mileage
Tips and Environmental Protection Agency”s Fuel Economy and Pollution.
» For even more great information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section!