by E.W. Perry 

Saving a few thousand dollars per year can  pay  big  dividends.  An  area  often overlooked  is management  of  your vehicle expenses.  

Large fleets understand the benefits of proper vehicle care and religiously follow the service recommendations to prolong the life of their fleet. Some common strategies used are detailed here: 

Tire Inflation 
Proper tire inflation can save you a lot in fuel costs. Just a couple of PSI in air pressure can cost you 1% in Fuel Economy because of the increased rolling resistance. A recent report detailed for every 10% of rolling resistance reduction, you could expect a 1% increase in urban FE and 2% in highway FE. Make sure the air pump you use has a moisture dryer system or use nitrogen for best results. Moisture will cause a large variance in air pressure, pure nitrogen is devoid of moisture and the corrosive effects of oxygen. 

Maintenance
Changing fluids on time is critical. While on occasion these service limits seem excessive – they are the maximum limit and may not account for your driving situations. As these fluids age they become thick with debris, varnish from heat, loose their additive packages and will require more power from friction and resistance. As fllters become clogged they put added strain on pumps also requiring more power and the resulting stresses. For some vehicles, synthetic type fluids can reduce friction and improve the efficiency and life of your vehicle. 

Repairs
Holding off on a repair can be tempting at times. It may be a few hundred dollars now, but it may be more later. Marginal systems can effect or damage other systems raising costs. It is always better to keep up on these repairs before it is too late. 

Clean
Keeping your car clean is importatant, Going to the car wash is a quick and low cost way to keep your car looking good and maintaining its value. Detailing is also a great investment, getting this done periodically will really make a big difference in your vehicles appearance. Detail specialists use high quality materials not available to the public along with expert skill. 

Make smart choices by speaking with a professionally licensed and insured shop. Most offer nationwide warranties and as legitimate operations stand behind their work to give you the peace of mind you deserve. 

E.W. Perry 
Arlington Auto & Tire 
845-471-2800 
ASE Master Certified 
SEMA