On an evening newscast, we caught an informative tidbit, and we want to share it with you. Everyone seems to think the cost of repairing a vehicle is rising, and just as the price to purchase has increased, the repair increase is relative.
According to Canadian statistics, out of every $100.00 net that comes into a household, $37.51 goes out to vehicle expenses. The vehicle expenses in the statistics include purchasing the vehicle, insurance, fuel and maintenance and repair.

The average Canadian, according to 1998 statistics, spends $1100.00 per year on vehicle repairs and maintenance. In 1995, that amount was $800.00 per year.

Advertisements using the key phrase "160,000km before the first tune up", does not mean the rest of the vehicle is maintenance free! Experts estimate that about 70 percent of today's vehicle owners neglect routine maintenance on their vehicles, compared with 40 percent 15 years ago. The "first tune up" phrase causes confusion. This older term has new meaning on today's sophisticated engines. In the old term tune up meant a mechanic would replace the spark plugs, ignition points, and the ignition condensor. They would then adjust the ignition timing, the carburetor's fuel mixture setting and idle speed. The old has been replaced with distributor less ignition systems and platinum tipped spark plug wires to inspect. Now aside from replacing the spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, everything else has been taken away from the technician and assigned to the on-board computer. The key phrase is not tune up, the key phrase is Maintenance!

 

1. Don't stay idle too long - letting your engine idle for more than 20 seconds burns more fuel than turning it off and starting it again; according to Transport Canada.
2. Inspect tire pressure regularly (or have us inspect it for you). Having the correct pressure reduces rolling resistance and increases fuel mileage by as much as 6 percent.
3. Inspect your air filter. A dirty air filter reduces the amount of air the engine is able to "breathe" and changes the air/fuel ratio, reducing overall fuel economy. Make sure your fuel filter is clean too!
4. Your life is in alignment, but is your car? A vehicle that is out of alignment can cause a "drag" effect of the tires, resulting in an engine working harder. Periodic wheel alignment can help improve fuel economy up to 10 percent.
5. Have you had your fuel induction system; fuel injectors, intake manifold, and valve train components inspected for coke and carbon build up?
   A clean induction system increases horsepower by 15 to 45 percent and has fuel savings of 5 to 15 percent.
6. A new oxygen sensor alone can improve fuel mileage by as much as 15 percent. Make sure you follow the manufacturers recommended interval for changing the sensor. Your vehicle may have anywhere from one to four sensors