“With the cost of vehicle ownership and car care growing every year, we all want to be more fuel efficient,” says Jens Mueller-Belau, Fuels Portfolio and Category Manager North America, Shell Retail. “Using money-saving driving techniques and car care tips are an easy way to help get the most out of every gasoline purchase.”

Following are ten Shell “Fuel stretch” tips designed to help drivers save money.

1. Drive smoothly:

Avoid heavy acceleration or heavy braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and heavy braking can use as much as 33% more fuel than sensible driving.*

2. Service your car regularly:

A well-tuned engine alone can improve fuel economy by up to 4%*, so follow your car manufacturer's recommendation for servicing, and change your oil as required. It's also important to keep your entire vehicle well maintained. A poorly maintained vehicle can increase fuel consumption by up to 50%*. Even replacing dirty spark plugs can improve fuel consumption by 5%*, so you should read the vehicle owner's manual thoroughly to familiarize yourself with its mechanical maintenance requirements.

3. Make sure tires are not over or under-inflated:

Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. A tire that is under-inflated by just two psi (14 kPa) can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as two percent and reduce the tire's life by about 4000 milea

4. Use the correct grade of oil in your engine:

Following your manufacturer's motor oil recommendation can improve fuel efficiency by one to two percent. Look for motor oil that says “energy conserving” on the label.

5. Choose a high-quality gasoline:

Top automakers say that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts, which can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Audi, BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen introduced a TOP TIER detergent standard to raise the bar on fuel quality beyond minimum requirements and to help drivers avoid lower quality gasolines. All Shell gasolines meet TOP TIER standards and are designed to stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts, which helps cars to perform at their best.

6. Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic:

on major roads and in free-flowing traffic Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.

7. Avoid idling:

When you idle, it wastes gasoline, and you are getting exactly 0 miles/gallon.

8. Avoid higher speeds:

The faster you go the more wind resistance you'll encounter and the more fuel your vehicle will consume just to maintain speed. In general, increasing your speed from 65 mph to 75 mph will increase fuel consumption by about 20 percent.

9. Plan your outings to avoid separate trips:

Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips. This planning helps avoid unnecessary cold starts and keeps your car's engine running warmly and more efficiently.

10. Get rewards for your fuel purchases:

From May 4 to July 12, 2009, Shell customers will receive ten times bonus AIR MILES rewards with a minimum $30.00 purchase of Shell V-Power gasoline or Shell V-Power diesel, and five times bonus reward miles with a minimum $30.00 purchase of Shell bronze, Shell silver gasoline or Shell diesel. AIR MILES collectors can redeem their reward miles for great rewards.

Whether running errands around town or commuting to work, these money-saving driving techniques can help you get the most out of every drop of fuel.

Motorists: Disregarding auto repairs is dangerous

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The power of the dollar doesn't stretch as far as it once did. And it has prompted some motorists to cut back on maintenance or put off needed vehicle repairs due to tight budgets, especially if the vehicle remains drivable. But, delaying certain repairs can be a dangerous gamble for motorists. Disregarding maintenance on your vehicle can definitely result in costly repairs. However, AAA reminds motorists that ignoring their vehicle's upkeep also can put them, their passengers and others on the road in danger. Monitor these five areas for safer driving and increased vehicle reliability: 1. Get A Grip On Traction. Worn tires with little tread are much more likely to hydroplane on wet pavement or lose traction in the snow, resulting in a loss of braking power and steering control -- two of the most dangerous situations in which drivers can find themselves. Insert a quarter upside down into a tire groove. If you can see above Washington's head, start shopping for new tires. 2. Don't Suspend Needed Suspension Work. Neglecting to maintain undercar components -- especially struts and shock absorbers which wear out as more miles are driven -- can cause drivers to lose control on sudden turns or at higher speeds. 3. Put A Halt On Brake Malfunctions. Old brake fluid or low fluid levels can lead to brake fade or failure. Moisture-contaminated fluid also increases corrosion in the brake hydraulic system, which can include expensive electronic anti-lock brake system (ABS) components. Inspect the brake fluid level at every oil change. If the level has fallen below the "low" mark on the fluid reservoir, it usually indicates major brake wear or a leak somewhere in the system. Seeing a professional cannot wait. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend replacing the brake fluid every two years to flush moisture and contaminants from the system. Check vehicle owner's manuals for specific recommendations. 4. Don't Let Fluids Checks Leak Out Of Your Maintenance Routine. Leaking fluids mean that your vehicle needs maintenance. Oil, power steering fluid, transmission fluid and brake fluid are all flammable and can burst into flame when they meet a hot engine or exhaust component. Fluid leaks are the number-one cause of vehicle fires. 5. Keep Good Vision In Sight. Motorists need to see the road. Worn, cracked or brittle windshield wipers will limit visibility because they cannot remove insects, grime and other debris from the windshield. A good spray of windshield washer fluid will help wiper blades remove contaminants. Certified technicians at AAA Approved Auto Repair shops can provide motorists with trustworthy guidance on repairs and vehicle safety. Shops can be identified by the AAA Approved Auto Repair sign, or by searching online at AAA.com/Repair

Car Suspension and How It Works

Car suspension plays a significant role in smooth and comfortable driving. It also protects the car from shaking into pieces. Car suspension is usually comprised of two basic components. They are springs and shock absorbers. In order to understand the working of car suspension, you must understand the parts completely.

Springs are one of the major components of a car's suspension. They are available in three types coil springs, leaf springs and torsion bars. The commonly known spring is coil spring. They are also known as coiled torsion bars. Almost all the heavy-duty vehicles had leaf spring since 1985. They appeared as metal layers, joined to axle.

A torsion bar is used in VW beetles and Karman Ghias car suspension systems. It offers coiled-spring-like performance. It is based on steel bar twisting properties. As there is no coiled spring, an axle is connected to one end of the steel shaft. Other end is slotted inside a tube and is seized by splines. When the suspension moves, it twists the shaft along the entire length. On the other hand, shaft resists.

Ensuring That Children Are Safe In The Car?

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(NAPSI)-According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), three out of four kids are not as secure in the car as they could be because their car seats are not being used correctly.

While it's certainly true most parents want to do everything in their power to protect their children, it's also true they may not know about a simplified anchoring system that's built into most new cars to help make it easier to install car seats.

Known as LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), the system was developed to make it easier for parents to correctly install child safety seats into vehicles. Yet 40 percent of parents still rely on the vehicles' seat belts when installing their car seat rather than using LATCH.

 

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