Under Hood or a Toyota Prius

Keep your vehicle in top shape. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10 to 20 percent. A clogged air filter can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll and can reduce fuel economy by 5 percent. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, and keep the tires properly inflated.

Many components can decrease your fuel economy, but the major threats are the, air filter, tire pressure, spark plugs and fuel filter.  These components should be checked and replaced according to your vehicles maintenance schedule, but here is what a typical schedule looks like for your key MPG components, and links on how to check and change them.

Air Filter – 12,000 Miles inspect, clean and if needed replace. Replacing typically cost between $7-$15 and takes about 10 minutes.

Tire Pressure – Check at least every time you change your oil.

Fuel Filter – In vehicles older than six years, it is recommended that you inspect and if needed change annually.  (The how to shown is very specific to a Lincoln, each car has its own particular procedures for changing the fuel pump.  Please refer to Haynes (or equivalent) manual before attempting this procedure.)

Spark Plugs – It is recommended that you check and if needed change every six months to a year.

If you have lost your owner’s manual you can still find the proper maintenance schedule for your particular vehicle here http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/select.html.