Business & Tech

Want To Spend Less On Gas? Tips From Auto Expert



Everyone's trying to get more mileage out of every gallon of gas these days, and Bruce Kolz, general manager at McGrath Acura in Morton Grove, has a few pointers. 

"Fuel economy is a hot topic," Kolz said. 

He's waiting for Acura's first hybrid model, the ILX, to appear in the showroom in December. It will compete with other manufacturers' entries, such as the BMW ActiveHybrid 3, Toyota Prius and Camry, Audi Q5 and many other models.

For now, many manufacturers, such as Ford, Acura and Honda, are including eco-boost buttons, which save mileage during highway driving by shutting down systems not in use, such as air conditioning or transmission.

Weight is a big factor, he cautions, saying 60 percent of vehicles on the road do not have a spare time. While the savings in weight saves on gas, it leaves drivers in the lurch if they have a flat tire. They're dependent on manufacturers' roadside assistance teams, an American Automobile club membership or the mercy of local mechanics. 

Maintaining vehicles vigilantly is another big part of good fuel efficiency, Kolz said. He recommends maintaining tire pressure and getting oil changes every 4,000 to 5,000 miles and rotating tires at that time.

Each vehicle for sale at the dealership has a sticker which estimates annual fuel costs for the vehicle, allowing buyers to gauge their fuel efficiency.

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