How to Save Energy Through Car Maintenance

Keeping up on car maintenance can help you save money and energy. Whether your focus is on being more eco-friendly, or you just want to cut back on your monthly expenses, car maintenance is an easy way to accomplish this.

As fuel prices continue to soar, car maintenance becomes more and more important. A well maintained car is cheaper to own and operate over the course of the vehicle's life. There are several things you can do to cut back on the energy expenses associated with car ownership.

• Check your owner’s manual for the recommended maintenance schedule. Each model will be slightly different. Follow the suggestions to keep your car in good order.


• Keep an eye on your tires. Good tires that are properly aired will help save money on fuel. Make sure you are using the tires recommended for your make and model as well as your driving patterns.


• Schedule regular maintenance. New cars will have a specific schedule that needs to be followed to maintain the warranty. Even older cars that aren't under warranty should be regularly checked out and tuned up. This will help you save on energy costs associated with driving.


• Keep up on oil changes. More than just changing the oil, you want to ensure that you're changing oil and air filters as necessary. This is an inexpensive job and can be done in just a matter of minutes. 


• Have problems looked at right away. If a light on the dash comes on you need to find out why. Newer cars will often have a single alert light for a variety of problems. The 'check engine' light may come on when mechanical problems affect the vehicle's ability to drive safely and efficiently. It's not uncommon for problems with the ignition system, emissions system, drivetrain, transmission, or more to all be associated with the same warning light. It may be costly to fix the issue, but it's better for you in the long run to fix it soon.