Perry Mack
RV in for Maintenace
Shell
Mechanics across the nation were polled for their expert opinions about vehicle performance. Here are the top five tips from Shell to prepare for your road trip and get the most out of the performance of your vehicle:
1. Schedule a full service check-up BEFORE you hit the road. According to a
new Leger Survey of Canadian mechanics, 90% say the biggest mistake they
observe vehicle owners make is waiting until something goes wrong until
they bring their vehicles in for servicing.
"Prevention is always better than cure, and it tends to be less
expensive in the long run. Don't forget to have the air filter checked
regularly. A partially blocked filter can cut the engine's output and
kill fuel economy. No one would run a marathon wearing a snorkel -
driving your car with a plugged filter is asking the engine to do
exactly that!" says Graeme Fletcher, a licensed mechanic and automotive
journalist working with Shell.
2. Chart your route. Thanks to smartphone apps, like the Shell Motorist
app, calculating your route and even estimating the fuel cost of your
journey is easy -- it might even help you avoid being stranded with the
gas gauge on "E".
3. Keep vehicle fluids topped-up. Just as you would never run a marathon
without hydrating, your vehicle should not be taken on a road trip
without the proper amount of engine oil, transmission and brake fluid,
coolants, and windshield washing fluids as recommended by your vehicle
manufacturer guide. This is a key tip even beyond long road trips. 84%
of mechanics surveyed say vehicle owners can help extend the life of
their vehicle's engine by simply monitoring lubricants and fluids in
their engine regularly.
"Regular oil and filter changes help extend the life of an engine," adds
Fletcher. "Operating an engine with low and/or dirty oil is the fastest
way to an expensive repair! And don't forget to check the tire
pressures. A vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 8 psi (56 kPa)
can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 kilometres and increase the
vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%."
4. Choose the right fuel. With 87% of mechanics surveyed agreeing that
there is a difference between high and low quality gasolines, even
selecting the right fuel on your pit stops can have an impact on your
vehicle's engine. "Low-quality gasolines can cause build-up of
performance-robbing gunk on critical engine parts which can make your
engine less-efficient over time," explains Fletcher. "With 20% more
cleaning agents than before, New Shell Nitrogen Enriched Gasolines
protect intake valves and fuel injectors from performance-robbing gunk.
No other gasoline protects better."
5. Pack an emergency kit. Even the best-planned trips can encounter
unexpected troubles. Pack emergency essentials like a rechargeable
flashlight, first aid kit, flares, jumper cables and the contact numbers
for your insurance agency and your roadside service provider.