JANUARY 31, 2022 • PASCACK VALLEY PRESS
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ON THE ROAD How to maintain that older vehicle
New cars have been costly for quite some time, but those costs have spiked considerably since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. That unprecedented rise has led many motorists to wonder how they can get more mileage out of their existing vehicles. According to data from Kelley Blue Book and Cox Automotive, the average cost of a new car in September 2021 was just over $45,000. That marked a $3,000 increase from June 2021 and a $5,000 increase from the end of 2020. Drivers who canʼt afford to keep up with the rising cost of new vehicles can take these steps to keep their existing cars running smoothly for years to come. • Take care of the timing belt. Engines may get all the glory, but they cannot run smoothly without a fully functional timing belt. Engines need various components to do their job, and those components must do so at the right time for the engine to run smoothly. Fully functional timing belts help to synchronize movements, but belts must be replaced every so often. Ownerʼs manuals may note when to replace the timing belt, but they generally must be replaced every 60,000 to 105,000 miles. Thatʼs infrequent, but drivers can ask their mechanics to keep an eye on their timing belts.
One issue many drivers encountered in the early months of the pandemic when people were driving less frequently was timing belts that were failing long before they reached the projected mile markers. Thatʼs because infrequent driving can hasten the demise of the timing belt. This is something for aging drivers who no longer drive a lot to keep in mind. • Take care of the brakes and associated components. The experts at Popular Mechanics urge drivers of older vehicles to replace their brake fluid every two years. Popular Mechanics also advises drivers whose cars are more than seven years old to replace the rubber brake lines when major brake work is required. • Pay attention to oil levels. The older engines get, the more oil theyʼre going to burn. So drivers of older vehicles should check their oil levels more often than they would if their vehicles were brand new. This also is a great way to discover leaks before they lead to potentially significant issues. • Donʼt skip maintenance appointments. Even if youʼre still driving less due to the pandemic, itʼs best not to skip recommended maintenance intervals. Thatʼs true for drivers of all cars, but especially those whose vehicles are aging. Routine tuneups and oil changes, which may
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Drivers who can’t yet afford to keep up with the rising cost of new vehicles can take these steps to keep their existing cars running smoothly for years to come. need to become more frequent the haul. might have anticipated. Some older the vehicle gets, can keep The rising cost of new cars is simple maintenance measures can cars running smoothly and pro- compelling millions of drivers to help those cars run strong for tect the engine over the long keep their cars longer than they years to come.
Simple strategies for more efficient driving
Drivers likely need no feedback. A recent study from centage depending on where drivreminder that the cost of fuel is researchers at the Institute of ers are driving. high. In November 2021, data Transportation Studies found that City drivers with rooftop from the U.S. Energy Information drivers who used driver feedback cargo boxes may experience a 2 to Administration indicated the aver- devices in their vehicles in an 8 percent decline in fuel economy, age price per gallon of fuel was effort to save fuel improved their while vacationers traveling at $3.39. That marked a interstate speeds may notice seven-year high and an a decline as high as 25 perincrease of $1.29 in just cent. Cargo boxes are con12 months. venient, but theyʼre not very The good news for aerodynamic, so itʼs best to motorists is the EIA remove them after returning anticipated that fuel home from vacation. prices would drop con• Avoid idling. Idling siderably in 2022, with was once advised to warm estimates suggesting a up vehicles so they did not gallon of fuel will cost an stall once they leave the average of $2.88 in the driveway and hit the open early months of the year. road. Drivers will no However, that stalling doubt welcome that occurred when cold carburedecline with open arms, tors could not get the approbut filling up with less priate mix of air and fuel in costly fuel is not the only the engine. But carburetors way they can save Learning easy efficiencies in driving is a have long since been money. Learning how to great way to improve gas mileage and take replaced by electronic fuel be a more efficient driver some of the sting out of filling up. injection systems, negating is a great way to improve the need to warm up a vehigas mileage and take some of the gas mileage by about 10 percent. cle to avoid stalling. Many modern vehicles are sting out of filling up. The Environmental Protec• Take it easy behind the equipped with such devices, and tion Agency and the U.S. Departwheel. The Office of Energy Effi- drivers can learn to use them and ment of Energy note that modern ciency & Renewable Energy reap the rewards with less frequent engines will warm up by being reports that aggressive driving can trips to the filling station. driven and urge drivers to avoid • Keep cargo off the roof. warming up their cars for more lower gas mileage by as much as 30 percent when driving at high- Rooftop cargo boxes can be con- than 30 seconds. way speeds and 40 percent when venient when traveling on vacaHigh fuel costs make it driving in stop-and-go traffic. tions. However, researchers at the advantageous for drivers to Avoid speeding and rapid acceler- Oak Ridge National Laboratory embrace efficient driving, which report that such boxes can reduce can save a substantial amount of ation and braking. • Utilize in-vehicle energy fuel economy by a significant per- money at the gas pump.
