• First, keep your oil changed. Clean oil means less friction, which results in better gas mileage. A good rule of thumb, and what all of us in the industry recommend, is to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles.

• Secondly, have the fuel injectors cleaned every 25,000 miles. The fuel injectors spray a fine mist of fuel into the cylinder. However, when the ports get clogged the fuel is delivered in an uneven fashion causing the engine to operate inefficiently, which results in less than optimum gas mileage.

• The third thing is the easiest.  Make sure your tires are properly inflated. You need to be aware that your tires regularly lose air through osmosis, not just through a puncture or a flat tire. Thirty-five pounds of air is recommended for most tires, and when this is down by just 3.5 pounds or 10 percent; this causes an additional drag and wear on the tires, resulting in poorer gas mileage. 

Every Tuesday form 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. is Senior Tuesday at Hillside Automotive. In addition to offering full-service gas at self-serve prices and pumping your gas, our attendants will check the tire pressure, check all fluids, and wash the windows. Senior Tuesday is for customers of all ages and the program is our way of saying, “thanks for your business.”

One final thought, do remember that soft starts and easy stops will help you get better gas mileage, too. Questions?  Please feel free to give me a call at Hillside Automotive, 310/373-7676. Our award-winning Automotive Center is located on the corners of Hawthorne Blvd. and Newton Street in Torrance. Six ASE-certified technicians are at your service Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  All auto repairs are AAA-approved and guaranteed.

Happy, safe driving!

Dave Carney