Gas Savings in Sierra Vista: Sharpen Your Pencil
Posted March 22, 2012 11:00 AM
High gas prices in Sierra Vista increase the cost of living for AZ drivers. You've probably budgeted a certain amount for vehicle related expenses. Increased fuel costs now consume a larger portion of our incomes, causing some Sierra Vista vehicle owners to skimp in other areas – like scheduled maintenance.
According to AZ news reports and automotive industry studies, this is becoming increasingly more common. In fact, nine out of ten personal vehicles on the road have at least one maintenance or repair item that hasn't been done. Some of these items pose serious safety risks. Others are just more likely to make it more expensive to drive.
In this area, we can take a lesson from professional Sierra Vista vehicle owners. I'm talking about fleet owners and operators. You know, Sierra Vista folks like the trucking companies and delivery services. Because their livelihood depends on it, they have gotten scheduled maintenance down to a science. And the last thing they skimp on is regular maintenance.
Why is that? Well, for one thing they know that routine maintenance prevents expensive repairs and costly breakdowns. They also know that a well-maintained vehicle uses less fuel. For them, even a small decrease in fuel efficiency may put their Sierra Vista business in the red.
So what does this mean to Sierra Vista drivers? Well, there's a 90 percent chance that you're missing some service that would improve your fuel economy. Here's a quick reminder list:
Fuel system cleaning, transmission service, differential service, engine air filter, wheel alignment, oil change, tune up.
Ring any bells? Can most Sierra Vista vehicle owners honestly say that there isn't at least one thing on the list that hasn't been done?
Let's suppose you chose to spend $150 and get caught up on some of these services at Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair. Figure that they combine to improve your fuel efficiency by 15 percent. What would that mean to your pocketbook?
Well, the average personal vehicle in Sierra Vista is driven about 12,000 a year. If you get 20 miles per gallon in your vehicle, over the course of one year you would pay for the $150 worth of service and save an additional $165 dollars if gas is at t$3.50. If gas is $4.50, you would save $255. And you'd rack up savings of $345 dollars with gas at $5.50.
GAS PRICE
$3.50
$4.50
$5.50
20 MPG
$165
$255
$345
From this you can see that the more fuel costs, the more it pays to keep up on scheduled maintenance. Some of us drive trucks in Sierra Vista for work or recreation – or want a large SUV for family needs. A 15 percent improvement in fuel economy can generate huge savings – $650 a year if gas is $4.50 a gallon in Sierra Vista. Take a look at this table to see where your savings could lie.
GAS PRICE
A) $3.50, B) $4.50, C) $5.50
10 MPG: A) $480, B) $660, C) $840
20 MPG: A) $165, B) $255, C) $345
30 MPG: A) $60, B) $120, C) $180
So catch up on those services you've been neglecting at Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair. Get a couple done now and a couple next time. Chances are you'll save a lot of money at Sierra Vista gas pumps this year – and a lot more on repairs in years to come.
Arizona Auto and Radiator Repair
1255 E FRY BLVD
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
520-459-2216
http://www.azautorepair.net
AZ Auto and Radiator performed a thorough check of my vehicle and found some issues that I suspected were present, but were never diagnosed by another local auto business. The owner took the time to show me (on the vehicle) what he recommended and why. Professional, friendly service, and they didn't pressure me to have everything fixed immediately. Highly recommended!
