Fleet Maintenance Improves Fuel Efficiency

Fleet maintenance is very important. It ensures that all vehicles within a fleet are performing as they should. If any maintenance problem arises, the fleet operations manager or fleet management employee can arrange for those problems to be addressed before they become larger issues that may negatively impact the business’ performance. But we need to note that it is also important to perform regular maintenance on the vehicles within a fleet to improve fuel efficiency. Many wonder how this is possible, but there are a number of factors that can help determine fuel efficiency. In the next few minutes, we will look at the various factors that can potentially impact your fleets fuel efficiency.

The air filter

When an air filter is clogged, it negatively impacts a vehicle’s fuel efficiency by 10%. The air filter also prevents impurities from damaging the inside of the vehicle’s engine, so there are a couple of benefits to making sure a clogged air filter is replaced.

The actual savings that a business can experience by making sure the air filters in their vehicles are properly maintained is around $0 launch x431 v+.31 per gallon per vehicle. If you have ten vehicles that need new air filters and each holds 25 gallons of gasoline launch x431 v, then that is a total gasoline savings of $77.50. If trucks need to be filled twice a week, that is a weekly savings of $155 a week or $620 per month. All of those savings really adds up. A simple air filter translates into savings of around $7,500 per year, which is a significant amount of money that will impact a business’s revenue.

Tires

Improperly inflated tires can negatively impact gas mileage. For every psi drop in pressure, gas mileage is lowered by 0.4 percent. Properly inflated tires, on the other hand, can improve gas mileage by around 3.3%

The savings that a business can experience by making sure tires are properly inflated is around $0.09 per gallon per vehicle. So once again, you have ten vehicles with underinflated tires and each holds 25 gallons of gasoline, then that is a total savings of $22.50 in gas. Although the amount doesn’t seem high, keeping tires inflated can prevent premature replacement, which can save money.

Motor oil

Using the recommended grade of motor oil for the vehicles in your fleet will improve gas mileage by 1 to 2% by using the grade that is recommended by the manufacturer. That is the grade of oil the engine was made to take. Using the wrong grade of oil can reduce the vehicle’s gas mileage by 1 to 2%. Also, oils that are marked “energy conserving” are especially helpful .The savings a business can experience by using recommended grade of oil is $.03 to $.06 per gallon per vehicle. If you have the same ten vehicles mentioned in the above sections that hold 25 gallons of gasoline and they are not using the right grade motor oil, but you change to the right grade of motor oil, the gas savings is a total of $7.50 to $15.00 per 3,000 miles on the truck, which translates to a yearly savings of anywhere between $85 and $200 per year in gas.

A few reminders

The above examples are simple ways that can improve gas mileage. As a fleet manager, you may also want to consider how quickly the driver accelerates and how well the driver adheres to the speed limit. While these things have nothing to do with fleet maintenance, they do have an enormous impact on how much fuel is used on the road, which therefore impacts how fuel costs impact the business. By keeping these things in mind, thousands of dollars in fuel costs can be saved.

Keeping your fleet properly maintained can only end up saving you money when you go to purchase gasoline with you fuel card.

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Five Car Maintenance Jobs You Can Do Yourself

Everyone is looking for innovative ways to save money. Many car repair jobs are best left to the professionals, but here are five maintenance tasks that you can take on yourself, even if you’ve never so much as picked up a wrench.

Important note: Before you do anything, buy a repair manual for your car. Haynes and Chiltons are the most popular; you can order online or buy a copy at your local parts store.

Got it? Good. Here we go:

1. Changing the air filter

Degree of difficulty: Easy (for most cars)
Cost: $5 to $25
Benefits: May improve power and fuel economy.
Pitfalls: Improperly installed filter could allow dirt into the engine; some cars have fiddly latches that can break fingernails.

The first time you change your air filter, you’ll be amazed that repair shops and quick-lube joints charge $15 to $30 or more in labor to do it. For most cars, changing the filter is a simple matter of removing a few clips or screws, taking the old filter out, putting the new one in, then replacing the top of the filter box. It’s literally a five-minute job. (That said, some cars are more complex, so check your repair manual before starting.) Note which way the old filter comes out so you don’t install the new one upside-down. If the filter material is red or green, you may have a reusable filter that can be cleaned — ask your parts dealer.

2. Checking tire pressure

Degree of difficulty: Easy
Cost: One-time investment of $15 or less
Benefits: Improves fuel economy, ride comfort, safety.
Pitfalls: Dirty hands and knees.

Tires are the most oft-overlooked parts of our cars. They lose air over time (and with colder temperatures), and low pressure translates to increased fuel consumption Launch CReader VIII. Buy a digital tire gauge ($15 or less, I got mine free at a tire dealer promotional event) and check the tires first thing in the morning before the car has been driven (driving heats the air inside the tires and raises the pressure). You’ll find the proper inflation pressures in your owner’s manual as well as on a sticker in the driver’s doorjamb or behind the gas-filler flap. If one or more tires are low, refill at a gas station air pump, but don’t rely on the air pump’s pressure gauge — use your own. If you overfill the tire, press the pin inside the valve to let air out.

3. Changing burned-out bulbs

Degree of difficulty: Moderate
Cost: $1-$8 for tail/parking lights; higher for headlights
Benefits: Improves safety, avoids potential traffic tickets.
Pitfalls: Broken glass can cause cuts; failure to follow instructions could result in breaking something.

Changing bulbs is a simple job, but not always a straightforward one. If you’ve never done this before, it’s best not to proceed without instructions; access to the bulbs isn’t always as easy as it seems, and doing it wrong could result in breaking a pricey trim piece or, worse yet, breaking the bulb and cutting yourself. Your repair manual (and, in some lucky cases, your owner’s manual) will tell you exactly what to pry, pull, push and twist; follow the instructions and it’s a walk in the park — and a huge cost savings.

4. Changing wiper blades

Degree of difficulty: Easy to moderate
Cost: $5 to $20 per blade
Benefits: Better visibility, increased safety.
Pitfalls: Possibility of broken fingernails and/or frazzled nerves.

Changing wiper blades is another one of those quick jobs that quick-lube places use to make a quick profit. Some cars use small fasteners or spring-loaded levers that can be tricky to manipulate, but on most cars it’s as easy as pushing a lever and pulling off the blade, then sliding the new one into place. If your repair manual doesn’t have instructions, the packaging for the new blades probably will. Make sure the new blade is locked firmly in place; if it falls off while the wipers are running, the wiper arm will scratch the windshield. You can also buy wiper blade refills (just the rubber part; the blade is the rubber plus the metal or plastic that holds it against the glass), which are less expensive, but refills can be fiddly to change and if the blades are old they may not hold the new refill firmly against the glass.

5. Changing the oil

Degree of difficulty: Advanced
Cost: $50-$75 initial investment; $10-$30 per change thereafter
Benefits: Routine maintenance — someone has to do it.
Pitfalls: Requires working under the car; very dirty; if done wrong, could cause expensive engine damage.

The oil change is the high end of do-it-yourself maintenance. It’s a fairly straightforward procedure — raise the car off the ground (preferably on ramps), drain the oil, replace the oil filter, refill with the proper amount of oil and check for leaks. (Your repair manual will walk you through it.) But it’s a dirty job, it requires tools (ramps or jackstands, drain pan, socket set, oil filter wrench), you have to take the old oil to a parts or repair shop for recycling, and if you do it wrong — too little or too much oil, drain plug or filter installed improperly launch x431 v+, etc. — you could literally ruin your engine. Most quick-lube places are cheap enough that it’s not worth the effort, but some people — your author included — just enjoy doing it.

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Finding The Right Local Car Dealer

One of the best ways to get a beneficial deal for a brand new car or even a used car is from a local car dealer. Dealers provide you with all the latest and quality car brands, makes, model choices and lower rates. This is the reason why most of the car lovers and customers favor dealers more than any other choice. However, you cannot just go straight away go to any dealer and make a deal with him or her. You need to find the best dealer to save you money and provide you with the best choices possible.

A dealer should have many characteristics to be able to serve you. One of the most important of these characteristics is that the dealer should be legal and authentic. They should be registered from the government and administrations as well. It’s quite dangerous to carry out a deal with those offer excuses to not show you their registration details. Another important characteristic is that the dealer should have a good track record. Find out about the history of the dealer launch x431 v pro, their service quality and promptness. Also, you need to inquire how their other customers responded to the services that they have provided.

Another factor to consider is good communication throughout the deal. The car dealer and car yard should keep you informed about every stage of progress. In addition, the dealer needs to consider all your suggestions and necessities. A good car dealership is the one that will help you get car loans, maintenance services, car delivery, and all your requirements rather than just handing over the car to you.

The dealership or car yard must keep all the papers intact such as the car’s history, customer details, pin number, registration or any other papers on the car. They should also provide you with quality services. You should never compromise on the quality and the promptness of your car services. It is a good notion for your car to be well preserved with some warranty choices. Another factor to consider is that the dealership should offer you the best services at the most nominal rates. In addition, they should also give you enough options to choose from. From doc fees to any other purpose, the car dealership should provide you with affordable prices and a variety of options.

Moreover, it is also important to use immediate lateral thinking and common sense while interacting with the dealers. Live interactions with them will give you a better perspective on how to deal with them. Deserved or not, it would be naïve to assume that the image that is widely used of a car dealer is anything but negative. While it is true that some used car dealers will try to pass off anything on an innocent and unwary customer Launch CReader VIII, it is also true that most of the dealers take pride in their business and will provide their best services. A car dealer depends on word of mouth and repeat customers in order for their business to prosper.

Next, find out the perfect Car Dealer with ridiculously cheap car prices. You won’t get the same experience with other brands! Check these exclusive Car Dealer offers today, before the link gets deleted.

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Finding Motor Bike Insurance

A good comprehensive motor insurance policy for two-wheelers is one that keeps it secure against damage caused by natural or man-made calamities even acts of terrorism if your insurance company allows you coverage for these in your policy. Motor bike insurance is insurance purchased for motored vehicles that are two wheeled and not a trike or a quad. The primary purpose of such insurance is to provide protection against any losses incurred due to traffic accidents and against liabilities that one could incur in an accident. Insurance companies also require that the registration number of your motorbike should indicate the area of primary use of the motor bike. They also require motorbikes to be within price ranges of $20000 to $25000. The insurance premiums for high price range motorbikes are different and costs considerably more.

Motor bike insurance is usually one of the following types:

Third party insurance – Third Party insurance is one that covers your person and anybody else for any type of legal responsibility to a third party only.

Third party, fire and theft insurance – This is a type of insurance that also covers loss of vehicle or damage caused to the vehicle due to self-ignition, lighting, fire, and even explosion. This insurance also covers theft or attempted theft of the motorbike and/or parts.

Comprehensive Insurance – This type of insurance is the most popular and in addition to covering liability to third parties this type of motor bike insurance also covers the vehicle loss or damage caused by self-ignition, lighting, fire, and explosion or by theft or attempted theft and accidental damage to the motorbike.

Full coverage Insurance – This type of insurance is the combination of Comprehensive and Collision coverage. Liability insurance for bodily injury or property damage is generally also implied with this type of insurance launch x431 v +.

Every policy is usually subject to the terms and conditions of the policy which could differ from one insurance company to another.

Insurance premiums are mandated by the government or determined by the insurance company in accordance with the regulations set by the government launch x431 v. Generally insurers have more freedom to set the pricing of insurance based on coverage of physical damage rather than on mandatory liabilities. When premiums are not mandated by the government, insurance companies generally derive at premium values based on statistical data.

Government makes it mandatory to have a minimum of third party insurance to protect third parties against the financial liabilities as a result of loss, damage or injury caused by the vehicle. Some states require insurance to be carried at all times. Whether a state requires you to have insurance at all times with you or not, it advisable that you keep it on hand in case an officer request’s it.

Getting motor bike insurance helps you in avoiding yourself some unnecessary hassles and is easy on the wallet in the long run too; not to mention that it is required by law. Motor bike insurance usually covers all expenses related to accidental injury or as is specified in your policy. Policies can also cover stereo systems, emergency treatments if any, legal costs if any and loss due to fire and/or burglary.

Generally what is not covered in a policy is normal wear and tear and general ageing of the motor bike, depreciation or any consequential loss of the motor bike and mechanical or electrical breakdowns.



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Finding A Good Mechanic for Your Car

Your car is a machine through and through. Sooner or later, it is going to need repairs to keep it up and running. Although you can do these yourself in some situations, most of us prefer to simply take our cars to a mechanic. Of course, first you have to find a good one.

You can open up the phone book or do a search online and find a ton of car mechanics in your area. The problem is figuring out who is good and who is not. There is no easy answer, but there are a couple of steps you can take that will lessen the risk of getting a bad mechanic or someone who will rip you off.

Be Specific

Cars are unique. Every brand has its oddities. This is why it is best to find a mechanic that works on your specific brand Launch CReader VIII. If you have a BWM, find a beemer mechanic. If you have a Chevy, then don’t take it to the beemer mechanic. Mechanics that work on a particular brand of car know the ins and outs of that car, which tends to result in better repairs for your car.

Ask Around

Unless you are driving a Ferrari or Lamborghini, you probably know somebody else that drives the same make of car you do. Ask people of this ilk who they use for their repairs. People generally are wary of mechanics, so it will be easy to recognize a good mechanic because the person will be bubbling over with good things to say.

Get It In Writing

Honesty is the sign of a good mechanic. Putting quotes in writing is a sign of honesty in the car repair industry. If the potential mechanic you are talking to will not give you a written estimate, you should walk out of that shop without looking back.

Warranty

Depending on the repair, some mechanics may actually warranty the work. Saying they will do it doesn’t mean much, but a written warranty does. Not all mechanics will do this, but those that do are highly credible and you can expect them to do good work on your car.

Shop Appearance

You will often be told that you should look for an ultra clean shop. This isn’t necessarily true. I once made the mistake of buying a MG launch x431 pro. A fun little car to drive until it became apparent it would break down every two weeks. After trying a number of mechanics, I was finally able to find “the guy” in town. He worked out of a shop that could best be described as looking like it was hit by a hurricane…every day! He was just as rough as his shop, but do you know what? He not only fixed my car, he did it cheap and the beast ran better than the day I bought it.

Finding a good mechanic for your car can be a real chore. Don’t give up! A good mechanic can keep your car running for years and years, which is a blessing these days.

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