Mechanic: Don't get suckered into spending too much
ROSEBURG, Ore. -- With gas prices expected to be over $4 per gallon by the spring, drivers are doing everything they can to save, but you don't want to waste money going for fuel efficiency.
KPIC News spoke with a couple of mechanics around Roseburg, who say keeping your tires properly inflated and your air filter clean is an inexpensive way to save money.
Because of improved technology, most cars made after 1990 won't get extra miles per gallon due to upgrades on the vehicle. "All your modern cars are all computerized," said local mechanic Brian Blackford. "There are very little things you can do, adjustments made on these cars to do anything that's going to change your gas mileage."
Brian says the computer makes adjustments so you can get the most fuel efficiency out of your car.
With high gas prices, many people will turn to products such as system cleaners, special oils and mechanical services. Blackford says it's really not worth the money. "I have never seen any of those products proven to substantially be worth their cost," he said. "Higher mileage oil, well that's not really going to improve your gas mileage, it's probably going to maybe help your car not consume as much oil."
Auto experts say one of the biggest changes people can make to save at the pump: their driving habits.
Going the speed limit while avoiding sudden acceleration and braking is the best way to get the most miles per gallon out of your car.
Brian says people should still do routine maintenance and tune-ups to keep their car running well.
