How Regular Service Can Improve Fuel Efficiency

How you drive plays a major role in your vehicle’s fuel economy—those efficiency numbers stated by manufacturer’s aren’t a given if you’ve got a lead foot. But another factor that affects your fuel efficiency, beyond how you drive, is how you take care of your vehicle. Regular, scheduled service, the kind that your owner’s manual suggests, is imperative to not only prolonging the life of your vehicle, but prolonging a tank of fuel as well. These aren’t arbitrary suggestions to boost a service department’s bottom line, these are tested and confirmed points in the lifespan of your vehicle and its parts where service is a must. If you’re interested in saving at the pump, and preserving the condition of your vehicle, check out our tips on how regular service can improve fuel efficiency.

Regular Service

Not only does regularly swapping out oil, air-filters, and spark plugs prolong your vehicle’s life, it also lessens your emissions and improves fuel economy. Again, Ford doesn’t make arbitrary suggestions for keeping your vehicle in top shape, so something as simple as using the recommended grade of motor oil can improve fuel economy —by keeping your engine’s lubrication system in top condition— by up to 2%. Likewise, tires that are inflated to the proper pressure not only handle better and last longer, but they can improve your fuel economy by up to 4%. Team Ford’s service technicians are factory trained, and well acquainted with your Ford, including how to improve its fuel economy. So much so, that regular maintenance have been proven to improve your fuel economy by up to 25%!

There are several warning signs that you may need immediate service, whether you’ve been keeping up with your regular maintenance or not, and they are:

• The check engine icon not lighting up when you start your vehicle
• The check engine icon not turning off after the engine starts
• Rough idling, rough driving, or a hard start
• If you smell fuel when the engine is running
• If you see fluids leaking from the engine
• If there is any visible damage to the engine or its components
• If you hear loud noises or see smoke coming from the engine

Of course, while there are no guarantees that your vehicle won’t face any issues, adhering to the regular service schedule is your best bet to ensure your vehicle’s health for years to come.

Fuel Efficiency Tips

In addition to regular service, there are a few other things you can do to ensure your vehicle performs optimally. By removing your rooftop carrier, your vehicle’s aerodynamic potential is unlocked, improving your fuel economy by up to 5%. This goes for extra weight as well—you can shave up to 4% for every 100 pounds of excess weight you get rid of. Keeping your windows and sunroof closed can decrease drag and increase fuel economy by 4%, but if you’re too warm, you should roll your windows down and save A/C for the highways, which could improve your fuel economy by up to 15%. Finally, your driving habits; slowing down has the potential to improve fuel efficiency by up to 25%, and smooth, measured driving can improve your fuel economy by up to 33%.

As you can see, there are many aspects that affect your fuel economy and, while it may be hard to adjust your driving habits if you’ve been behind the wheel for a long time, regular service is both incredibly important and wildly easy. Just book an appointment, or swing by our Quick Lane service department for an appointment free servicing.