How to Increase Your Gas Mileage

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.,–– If you love driving as much as we do, but hate spending so much time and money at the gas station, we've got a solution for you! Gas prices are extremely unpredictable: they frequently rise and fall. Learn how to increase your gas mileage so that you can reel in the savings at the pump and extend the life of your vehicle! Keeping your vehicle's mileage in check will improve the vitality of engine components, putting less stress on the engine and allowing you to enjoy your vehicle for a longer period of time! In order to do so, we've put together a list of tips that'll help maximize your car's fuel economy.

1. Take Your Foot Off the Gas Pedal

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's a tough habit to break. Pushing down hard on the gas pedal, or "flooring it" as some may say, can severely increase the stress on your engine and significantly reduce your gas mileage. If you drive over 65mph on a regular basis, you can lose up to 15% of your total gas mileage. While you're driving in the city, reducing your braking on your vehicle will allow you to maximize the fuel that has been exhausted, allowing you to coast along and improve your mileage the whole time.

2. Turn Off Your AC

Another great way to improve your vehicle's mileage is to turn off your air conditioning. While many auto experts claim that keeping your windows rolled down creates resistance that slows down your vehicle, keeping your AC on drains fuel at a much quicker rate. If you can stand the heat, maximize your gas mileage by keeping your windows up and your AC off. If you need to cool off, roll your windows down to circulate the air in your vehicle!

3. Use Cruise Control Frequently

Cruise control is a very useful tool, especially on longer road trips. You can get the most out of a full tank of gas by keeping a consistent speed while you drive. Consistency on the road will allow your vehicle to not have to adjust repeatedly between speeds and gears and can improve fuel efficiency by up to 7%. Use cruise control whenever you can! Some new vehicles come with adaptive cruise control technology, which allows the vehicle to regulate its speeds in alignment with vehicles in front of or behind the driver. Browse our vehicle inventory to find out which vehicles come equipped with adaptive cruise control and other fuel-efficient technology!

4. Replace Your Fuel Filter

Your fuel filter helps to keep your engine clean by filtering out dirt and grime and improving your engine's efficiency with steady streams of clean fuel. Typically, your fuel filter should be replaced every 25,000-30,000 miles, or whenever your vehicle owner's manual states it should be. If your engine struggles at low speeds or has difficulty starting up, your fuel filter may need replacing. If you schedule an appointment to get it replaced, you'll notice the benefits of a brand new fuel filter with improved mileage, smoother driving, and quicker startups. 

5. Check Your Tire's Air Pressure

Keeping up on your tire pressure will provide you with improved fuel efficiency and make driving a more comfortable experience. If your vehicle has tires with low pressure, they will increase the rolling resistance your vehicle has against the road, damaging its efficiency. Checking your tires weekly will be a helpful routine in increasing your overall gas mileage. Purchasing low rolling-resistance tires will allow your vehicle to drive along roads with less resistance, decreasing the pressure put on the engine and further increasing your fuel efficiency.

Looking for more ways to save money on fuel and vehicle care? Our routine maintenance pages provide tips and tricks to taking care of every part of your vehicle, from the wiper blades to the tires! Now that you know how to increase your gas mileage, you'll be able to save more money for road trips, fun activities, and maybe even a new vehicle! Take a look at some of our summer car care tips to further improve your gas mileage and vehicle operations this summer. You can also check out our vehicle inventory! We carry over seven different manufacturer brands: browsing for a new vehicle has never been so easy. Take the 2017 Nissan Rogue, America's Best-Selling SUV, out for a test drive today! Download the vehicle brochure for more details on this sleek and efficient vehicle, and then stop by to get a firsthand look at the 2017 Nissan Rogue and our wide selection of other vehicles!

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.com

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Summer Car Care Tips

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – You probably won't want to take the time to deal with auto maintenance during the warm months and summer fun, but it's important that you keep up on it! Prepare for the summer season by keeping a careful watch on your cooling system, fuel system, and lights, as well as cosmetic repairs and sun protection tips! Make sure you're ahead of the curve this summer with some summer car care tips! You wouldn't want to drive in a hot car without a working A/C system, would you? Make sure your vehicle is cool and cared for on those scorching days. You'll be thankful when you're driving without a care in the world!

Cooling System Maintenance

The best way to fight the sweltering heat is to ensure to your vehicle can stay nice and cool. If you feel little to no air coming from your vents, your A/C fans or filters may need replacing. However, you and your passengers are not the only thing that can get overheated in your vehicle - your engine can, too. Keeping an eye on your temperature gauge can help you to determine when your engine's coolant needs replacing. Without properly maintained coolant, your engine can overheat, causing important components to warp, which can lead to costly repairs.

Fuel System Maintenance 

With road trip season in full swing, unfortunately, gas prices change pretty frequently as well. The best way to maximize your vehicle's fuel economy this summer is by having your fuel filter changed. Over time, your fuel filter can build up debris, which can block the path to your engine and wear it down. To avoid this, it's recommended you replace your fuel filter every 30,000 miles. You can also have your fuel system cleaned of unnecessary debris to further reduce buildup to improve your vehicle's capabilities this summer.

Exterior Light Maintenance

Night driving tends to increase and can be a fun and calming experience in the summer, but it's best to remain prepared for this situation! Keeping up on your lights will help you improve your visibility at night, allow other drivers to see you, and help you to remain aware of any hazards you wouldn't be able to see otherwise! Checking your lights is pretty simple: have a friend stand outside your vehicle as you try everything from shining your brights to using your brake lights. If any lights are unusually dim or are flashing, give us a call and our Service Center will get it taken care of as soon as possible!

Sun Protection

UV rays can damage your skin if left unchecked, but did you know that they can also damage your vehicle as well? Making sure you regularly wash and wax your vehicle's exterior will help significantly reduce its temperature and minimize exterior scratches. Keeping your vehicle's interior clean will help to reduce temperatures, and purchasing an inexpensive sunshade for your front and rear windshield of your vehicle will measurably decrease your vehicle's heat! You can also park in the shade beneath a tree, buildings, or garage to keep your vehicle cool during the hot summer days.

Cosmetic Maintenance

If you own your vehicle and plan on reselling it, making sure your vehicle's exterior and interior are kept in good condition is extremely important. Having scratched paint, missing materials, or cracks in your glass can significantly reduce the resale value of your vehicle. The best time to fix cosmetic damage is during the summer, because you won't have to deal with the inconveniences of snow, salt, or other debris. Getting your vehicle repaired during the summer will keep you prepared for the coming months. It's a great way to protect your investment!

Make sure your road trip season goes without a hitch this year with these summer car care tips! You'll be able to enjoy any vacation without having to worry about your vehicle, saving you money and keeping you and your family happy! While you're at it, check out our other FAQs for tips on services from routine maintenance to under-the-hood help! If you can't find what you're looking for, feel free to contact us and we'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have!

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.comFollow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Serra Cadillac Subaru Google+, Serra Nissan Volvo Google+, Serra Audi Toyota VW Google+, Serra Toyota Google+, Collision Center Google+, and YouTube