Precision Motorworks

1501 Elliott Ave West

Seattle, Wa 98119

206-282-1000

“ Next to the Magnolia Bridge Across from Albert Lee Appliance”

OPEN SATURDAYS

FREE

LOANER

CARS

DEALERSHIP

MASTER

TECHS

Gas Saving Tips

Check & Replace Air Filters Regularly

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your BMW’s gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.   Your car’s air filter keeps impurities from damaging the inside of your engine.   Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.

Keep Tires Properly Inflated

You can improve your BMW’s gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.4 percent for every 1 psi drop in pressure of all four tires.   Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent by using BMW’s manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil.   For example, using 10W-30 motor oil in an engine designed to use 5W-30 can lower your gas mileage by 1-2 percent.   Using 5W-30 in an engine designed for 5W-20 can lower your gas mileage by 1-1.5 percent.   Also, look for motor oil that says "Energy Conserving" on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Driving tips

Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.   It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town.   Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may save more than gas money.

Observe the Speed Limit

While each BMW reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.

As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.50 per gallon for gas.

Observing the speed limit is also safer.

The figures above are from studies and literature reviews performed by Energy and Environmental Analysis, Inc., Washington, DC.