The "Car Doctor" Doesn't Do House Calls, but His Advice Hits Home

If there is one thing that AAA Southern New England's "Car Doctor," John Paul, believes, it is keeping your car in good shape to get better mileage. Paul, the technical consultant to the auto organization's monthly "AAA Horizons," is a former NIASE-certified mechanic and has been with the AAA for more than 20 years.

Paul commented in this month's edition of "Horizons," that one "of the most common questions I hear is, 'Can I do anything to get better gas mileage out of my car?'"

Answering this question, the AAA executive noted noted that "whether you drive a hybrid, a Hummer or anything in between, there are some things you can do to improve fuel economy."

Starting with maintenance, Paul, who has certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (NIASE), pointed out that "if you're driving with a 'check engine' light on, you're wasting gas. Computers monitor the car's engine system and signal a malfunction by turning on this light."

He also pointed out that even if the "check engine" light is out, systems still need to be checked regularly. For example, he pointed out, that auto owners should:

• Follow a maintenance schedule
  
• Change spark plugs and filters regularly (an out-of-tune engine can cost up to 5 percent of its fuel efficiency, he noted)
  
• Keep the weight down
  
• Use a synthetic motor oil
  
• Take it easy on the gas

Following up on each point, Paul explained that by following a regular maintenance schedule drivers will avoid problems with faulty coolant or oxygen sensors as they are usually checked as part of regular checkups. If either
sensor fails to work correctly, Paul pointed out, the problem can reduce your car's fuel economy by 25 percent.

"Something as simple as tire pressure can affect mileage. Properly inflated tires are safer, allow for better handling, last longer and can improve your gas mileage by 3.3 percent," he noted, citing EPA statistics.

Paul emphasized that you should check your car's tire pressure at least once a month. AAA auto experts have noted past editions of "Horizons" that in order to check your tire pressure correctly, you should do it::

• When the tires are cold
  
• Before you have driven the car
  
• Preferably early in the day

Paul noted you can find the correct pressure in the owner's manual or on a placard on the driver's door.

Moving on to oil, Paul noted that in "my cars I switched to synthetic oil to take advantage of its superior lubricating properties and noted a slight fuel economy benefit." He also emphasized that whether or not you go synthetic, you must use the oil that is specified by the manufacturer for car's your engine.

Paul continued that "studies show that you can improve gas mileage by one to two percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil. Using the wrong one can lower your mileage by up to two percent."

Extra weight, the "Car Doctor" pointed out, is another enemy of fuel economy. "Don't use your car as a storage locker. Each season, remove unnecessary items," he noted. For example, he indicated that a large cargo box, handy for carrying extras for the family vacation, "can reduce fuel economy by up to 20 percent."

And, while these tips are important at improving fuel economy, Paul also pointed out that, how you drive is equally as important. "How you drive can make the biggest impact," he said, noting that the even a time-worn saying such as "driving as if you had an egg between your foot and the gas and brake pedals" is still true.

"Going easy on the pedals - avoiding 'jack-rabbit' starts and hard braking - is the single biggest thing you can do not to waste gas. To get your car up to speed requires energy; any time you brake quickly, you are wasting that
energy. Focus your attention down the road to anticipate changing traffic conditions," Paul emphasized.

Cars tend to be at their most efficient between 55 and 65 miles per hour on the highway, Paul noted, urging drivers to stay at the limit to avoid wasting gasoline.

Another problem that troubles the "Car Doctor" is letting your car stand and idle. Idling, he noted, means your car is getting 0 mpg so it pays to park, lock and walk on errands. He urged drivers to avoid "drive-through" lines
because the idling you do while waiting in line just wastes gasoline. Such locations, he noted, include banks or pharmacies.

He also pointed to an important side health benefit: "The exercise will do you good."

Continuing, Paul noted that, if your car is stuck in the middle of a traffic jam that where there are long periods when your car isn't moving, it pays to shut off the engine. "It works for hybrids," he noted. For example, during a
recent ride in a Honda Civic Hybrid, the author of this article, was in a traffic jam and the Civic just stopped, as its battery was at fully charge.

The Civic woke up and moved ahead smartly when traffic began moving again -- all it took was a tap on the accelerator.

Paul had another gasoline-related tip that can save you money. He emphasized that it was a waste to purchase premium unleaded gasoline, unless your car is specifically meant to run on it. Paul noted that regular gasoline will power your car quite nicely and save you money. (Recent figures from around the Boston area put the price difference at nearly 20 cents per gallon, in a premium versus regular comparison made by the author.)

And, Paul also noted planning pays off. In fact, he said, think of your next car trip as if it was a bus route "going logically from one stop to the next." In planning that trip, he noted, that is pays to use your most economical car
in your family garage. For example, if you have the choice of an SUV or a subcompact with a four-cylinder motor. It would pay to use the small car for your errands (as the author has confirmed).

Finally, the "Car Doctor" concluded with a bit of irony, telling AAA Horizons that "if possible, don't drive. Carpooling can have a dramatic effect on your yearly fuel bill. And if you bike or take public transportation, you might get
a little healthier, too."