Checking Your Car Fluids - Gasoline
by All Vovo on 02/28/11
As you know, gasoline is the fuel that makes your car run. After filling up with gas at the gas station (We recommend quality gasoline---see the car manual for octane rating to be used to avoid harmful pinging), your gas is stored in the gas tank at the back of the car. The fuel pump moves the gasoline to the engine (We recommend keeping at least a quarter tank of gas to cool the electrical fuel pump components, to help maximize the life of the fuel pump).
On the trip from your gas tank to the engine, the gas gets filtered. First by the fuel pump's strainer (sock), then by the fuel filter, which should be changed once a year on carbureted cars, and on fuel injected cars, change it every two years or 24,000 miles. A restricted fuel filter can also shorten the useful life of a fuel pump. Either the carburetor or fuel injection system mix the gas with air and deliver it to the engine's cylinders. Inside the cylinders, and electric spark ignites the air/fuel mixture and--VROOOOM!--the heat energy from the burning gasoline makes the car go. Also, calculate your gas mileage periodically. Some problems won't show up as a drivability issue. If you never calculate the gas mileage, you may be spending more than you need to on gas.
In my next post I will continue on with tips on your Engine Oil. We really hope that by going through the very basic principles of how cars are meant to work, and how they use these vital fluids, you will feel more responsible and wise as a car owner and driver.
