Mild winter still hard on your car
Even though we just came through the third warmest winter on record, it was still hard on your vehicle.
Cold temperatures, snowy and icy road conditions and road salt all can be extremely hard on the many different systems of your automobile. While this mild winter may not have been severe enough to push some of these systems into failure, perhaps they are right on the edge. They may be vulnerable to the first hot spell that's sure to come our way.
Cold and heat are equally hard on components such as batteries and electrical systems, belts and hoses, gaskets and water pumps. Our wonderful roads tear up the shocks, struts and other suspension-related components.
As you drive around, pay attention to the sounds your car is making; it might be trying to tell you something.
If you hear a squeaking or growling sound coming from the engine compartment, you may have a water pump, belt or another accessory bearing going bad. A screeching sound while rolling or braking could be an indication that you need to replace your brakes or perhaps a wheel bearing is on the way out. A clunking sound over bumps may be an indication of a broken sway bar link or a bad ball joint or bushing.
Sometimes you won't be aware of these noises until the first time you drive with your window down.
It may be possible to head off a breakdown by taking a pit stop now and have the family truckster or your commuter vehicle given a thorough once over by your service professional, before the weather really starts to crank up.
Saving gas
With gas prices starting to tick up to an extremely high price-per-gallon, I thought I'd include some gas-saving tips from the Car Care Council.
Fuel economy, according to the council, is directly related to vehicle care and driver behavior. Both can have a significant impact on how much motorists pay at the pump.
ŸUnderinflated tires can impact the vehicle's fuel economy. When tires aren't inflated properly, it's similar to driving with the parking brake on and can cost a mile or two per gallon.
ŸDirty air filters also can waste gas and cause the engine to lose power. An air filter that is clogged with dirt, dust and bugs chokes off the air and creates a “rich” mixture, which is too much gas being burned for the amount of air. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
ŸWorn or dirty spark plugs can cause misfiring, which wastes fuel. Vehicles can have four, six or eight spark plugs that fire as many as three million times every 1,000 miles, resulting in a lot of heat and electrical and chemical erosion. Spark plugs that are replaced per the owner's manual will lead to a better performing vehicle.
ŸVehicle gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing altogether waste gas. According to the council, about 17 percent of the vehicles on the road have gas cap problems, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year.
ŸWhen it comes to driver behavior, the council reminds motorists that aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by as much as 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent on city streets.
ŸStaying within the speed limit also improves fuel economy. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
ŸExcessive idling wastes gas and is unnecessary. A vehicle needs only one or two minutes to warm up. Motorists should also avoid jack rabbit starts and hard stopping — both make a car less fuel-efficient. Gradually stepping on the gas and gently applying the brakes will improve mileage.
Although traveling usually involves carrying luggage, motorists should try to limit any extra weight or unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can cut fuel efficiency by 1 or 2 percent.
Ÿ Douglas Automotive is at 312 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, (847) 381-0454, and 123 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake, (815) 356-0440. For information, visit douglasautomotive.com. Send questions to underthehood@dailyherald.com.