COST SAVING TIPS

Preventative maintenance

Preventative maintenance is the best way to ensure your vehicle stays reliable, and lets you avoid major repairs as well as the expenses that come with them. At Jay Barkers Auto Repair Service, we provide a complete preventative maintenance program, and carry all the necessary parts and expertise to take care of the little jobs that let you avoid the big ones.

Choose from a comprehensive range of the fluids, oils, filters, and belts that your vehicle needs to keep running happily and healthily. Relax while your ride is inspected by our highly-trained technicians, and rest assured that it’ll keep running smoothly for miles and miles.

10 Minute Pre-Trip Checkup Can Pay Off

A properly maintained vehicle is safer and more dependable and will even save a few dollars at the gas pumps. Motorists should plan ahead to allow time to perform necessary maintenance themselves or at the local service facility.

Car Care Council offers three suggestions for a traveler’s 10-minute pre-trip checklist:

Check all fluids – There are several fluids that require attention: Engine Oil, power steering, brake and transmission fluids, and windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant.

Check all hoses and belts – A belt failure can affect the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering, and the cooling system. Cooling system hoses may be deteriorating from within, so old hoses and clamps in marginal condition might need to be replaced.

Check the tires – Check tire inflation and inspect the tread for uneven wear, indicating the need for wheel alignment. Also look for bulges and bald spots along the tire’s surface.

Follow these tips to maximize fuel efficiency of your vehicle:

Boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency with these simple yet effective tips. From regular maintenance checks such as monitoring tire pressure and replacing worn spark plugs to cultivating mindful driving habits like avoiding aggressive maneuvers and excessive idling, these strategies can help you optimize fuel usage and save on costs in the long run.

Vehicle Gas Caps

Regularly checking and ensuring the proper sealing of your gas cap is crucial. Surprisingly, approximately 17% of vehicles on the roads today have gas caps that are either damaged, loose, or entirely missing. This seemingly small issue leads to the vaporization of around 147 million gallons of fuel each year.

Under Inflated Tires

Maintaining proper tire pressure is crucial for optimal fuel efficiency. Driving with underinflated tires is akin to driving with a parking brake engaged, resulting in a notable reduction in mileage, often costing a mile or two per gallon. Regularly checking and maintaining the correct tire pressure can significantly improve fuel efficiency.

Worn Spark Plugs

The spark plugs in a vehicle, whether four, six, or eight in number, endure an incredible amount of stress, firing up to 3 million times every 1,000 miles. Such persistent use can lead to both electrical and chemical erosion from the generated heat. Regular inspection and timely replacement of worn spark plugs are essential for maintaining fuel efficiency.

Dirty Air Filters

A clogged air filter can disrupt the ideal air-fuel mixture, leading to a “rich” mixture where the proportion of gas to air is imbalanced. This not only results in fuel wastage but also causes the engine to lose power. The simple act of replacing a clogged air filter can enhance gas mileage by as much as 10%, making it a crucial maintenance step for fuel efficiency.

Don't Drive Aggressively

This one can be a bit tricky. Modern vehicles come equipped with engine diagnostic or check engine lights, but they don’t always signal a genuine problem. Some are programmed to illuminate after a certain mileage for a routine checkup. Occasionally, the car’s computer module may malfunction and trigger the lights when nothing’s wrong.

However, these lights also serve as valuable indicators that something within your engine might be amiss. Generally, if a diagnostic light accompanies other signs like poor performance or unusual noises, it’s a good idea to visit Jay Barkers Auto Repair Service. If you’re simply tired of looking at it, a quick check at the shop can confirm if there’s an actual issue.

Avoid Excessive Idling

Allowing a vehicle to idle for extended periods consumes fuel without yielding any mileage. Minimize unnecessary idling, and avoid letting the vehicle warm up for more than one to two minutes as excessive idling contributes to unnecessary fuel consumption.

Drive the Speed Limit

Maintaining a consistent speed and adhering to the speed limit can play a vital role in fuel efficiency. Gas mileage tends to decrease rapidly at speeds exceeding 60 mph. For every mile driven above 60 mph, you can expect an additional 10 cents per gallon in fuel costs. Utilizing cruise control can also help in maintaining a steady speed, thus enhancing fuel efficiency during highway driving.

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Recent reviews

This is the only auto repair shop I will take my cars to. I truly trust those folks not to lie to me and take care of my issues in a timely fashion.

I have been using Jay for many years for my vehicles. My father in law recommended him and now I recommend him to anyone that asks about automotive work. I have always found him to be efficient, hard working and fair, and never left feeling like I was "taken for a ride".