3 Things To Do When Filling Up Your Car's Gas Tank
Filling up your car with fuel is probably something that you try to do as quickly as possible, without really thinking about it. However, there are a few things that you should be doing each time that you fill up your car's gas tank for best results.
1. Check Your Tires
First of all, it's smart to check your tires each and every time that you fill up. Check the tire pressure -- you should be able to find the recommended tire pressure levels on the side of the tire or on the inside of the driver's door of your vehicle -- and make sure that your tires are not over- or under-inflated. Additionally, do a quick visual inspection to make sure that there are no nails, screws or other pieces of debris stuck in your tires and check your tire tread. This can be done quickly with the penny test -- simply grab a penny and place it in-between the tread of your tires with Abraham Lincoln's head facing down. If any part of his head if obscured by your tire tread, then you should be good to go. If you notice any issues with your tires, look into having your existing tires patched or replaced as soon as possible.
2. Clean Your Windshield
It can be easy to skip washing your car when it's dirty, but one area that you shouldn't slack off on is cleaning your windshield. Many gas stations offer complimentary squeegees and window cleaner that you can use to quickly clean your windshield of dust, pollen, and debris while you're filling up. A clean windshield will increase visibility when you're driving.
3. Track Fuel Efficiency
Jot down the number of gallons that you purchased, and set your vehicle's "trip" meter. Then, next time that you fill up, you can do the math and determine your vehicle's fuel efficiency. Additionally, you may want to write down the date that you got gas, how much you spent per gallon and other useful information; this can help with budgeting for fuel for your vehicle.
As you can see, it really is best not to just fill up your tank and hit the road. Instead, consider following these tips each time. Doing so will help you keep your vehicle properly maintained and provide you with some pretty helpful and interesting information about your vehicle's fuel efficiency. For more tips on taking care of your vehicle, talk to an automotive company like Euro-Tire.
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