Routine Maintenance to Help You Get Better Mileage This Fall

Autumn is the ideal season for a nice, long drive. The lower temperatures make everything a bit more bearable, both in and outside of your vehicle. Not to mention all of the scenic byways worth checking out as you explore a new region. But getting better mileage is on a lot of drivers’ minds these days. Gas prices are unpredictable, interest rates on auto loans are up, and the need to maximize fuel efficiency has become even more acute for many folks around the country. 

Routine maintenance is always vital to protecting the health of your engine and extending the longevity of any vehicle. As temperatures cool down, there are a few steps in particular that can help motorists improve on the fuel economy of their vehicles.

Measure and Maintain Optimal Tire Pressure

You don’t need to be a drag racer to wear out your tires. Seasonal changes in weather can have a significant impact on the quality of tire treads as well as the pressure contained within. Keeping tires properly filled will eventually lead to better mileage in comparison with vehicles with neglected tire maintenance. Naturally, not everyone takes this step as often as they should, whether due to busy schedules or a lack of awareness. But poor quality and low tire pressure can bring additional downsides, including a susceptibility to tire punctures and a compromised ability to decelerate.

Keep an eye on the tire pressure warnings, and check their levels regularly. A digital gauge can help you get a more accurate psi (pounds per square inch) readings. If you habitually drive long distances, you may need to add air once a month or more. Heading into winter, the pressure will gradually reduce as the air becomes more condensed, leading to some adjustments in your routine. As always, it’s worth checking with an expert to ensure you’re doing what’s best for your vehicle.

You’ll also want to check the treads (including your spare) and determine whether they need to be rotated for better balance. If the summer was especially hard on your tires this year, perhaps it’s time to replace them.

Keep Your Engine in Peak Condition 

Other than taking care of any necessary repairs and obeying the check engine light, keeping all fluids at a healthy level is one of the simplest ways to keep your engine and other parts in good condition. Together, a number of measures can add up to an improvement in engine performance, from investing in premium lubricants to maintaining the sensors and replacing the throttle body if necessary.

Boost Fuel Efficiency with a New LS Engine

Some drivers follow all the recommended guidelines, even lightening their load for better mileage, yet still struggle with unreliable or sluggish performance. Getting an entirely new car could be an option, but the more economical choice may be simply to get a better engine.

Having an LS engine installed often provides a significant boost in fuel efficiency. Furthermore, swapping out an old, underperforming engine with an LS engine eliminates the need to jump through unnecessary hoops, car shop or trouble-shoot ways to get more power out of an aging vehicle. If your car is in generally good condition and gets the job done, replacing the engine can extend the life of a beloved vehicle and give it that boost you’ve been missing.

Not every swap is the same, however, so it’s important to do a bit of research to determine what the results will be in your case. Questions to consider asking before doing a swap include:

1. How much added efficiency can you expect with a new engine?
2. What steps will be necessary to do the swap?
3. Can other components be added to the new engine to further improve the car’s fuel economy?
4. Is this specific vehicle in good enough condition to make a swap worth the investment?
5. Will a new LS engine have any impact on your maintenance routine?

Located in Wichita, Kansas, ICT Billet can get answers to those and any other questions you might have about what an LS engine swap would mean for your vehicle. We have a team of specialists that manage engine swaps for car enthusiasts from all over the globe. Because our parts are designed and produced right here at our facilities, you know exactly what you’re getting and won’t need to worry about quality issues or shipping delays. 

For more information about engine swaps, email sales@ictbillet.com or give us a call today at 316-300-0833.