Steel Carport or Garage Could Improve Gas Mileage
Filling up at the pump these days is like taking out a second mortgage and is seriously threatening long-awaited summer traveling plans. With gas prices surpassing the $5 a gallon mark nationwide, motorists are getting creative to cut down on fuel expenses, including carpooling, consolidating errands or just staying home to save a few bucks. But before blaming inflation or even the President, who by the way has almost zero control of gas prices, it’s important to revisit the more usual suspects, namely, the weather. Sizzling summer temperatures could be siphoning your checking account and leaving your budget on E. Excess heat due to sunlight and humidity can not only prematurely age your vehicle, but high temperatures also hamper fuel economy. Did you know that on average, a car left in the sun loses about a liter of gasoline per week? Excessive heat is detrimental to fuel consumption and strains coolant systems and cabin climate control in an endless war of attrition. Steel carports and garages from carport.com can make sure you get the most out of every mile and improve gas mileage.
How the Sun Throws Shade on Fuel Economy
Pulling at the gas pump, your first instinct is to of course compare how much prices have risen compared to last week. You let out an audible sigh as you get out of your car and reach for a credit card from your wallet. Before selecting the appropriate grade of gasoline, you’ve likely already popped up the lid to your fuel tank and began to twist off the cap. Suddenly, you hear a faint, but audible hissing sound from the tank. What is this? Is something with your car? “Great,” you say with a facetious tone. “Something else to worry about.” No need to fret. That gasp isn’t your car begging for attention or even showing its likewise disdain for rising gas prices. That small “woosh” sound is actually the release of pressure due to fuel evaporation, which occurs at a greater rate during the summer. Storing your car in the cooler shade of a carport or garage can minimize the amount of evaporated fuel by eliminating sunlight exposure.
Give Your AC a Much Needed Break
Where would we be without air conditioning? Only indoor plumbing, electricity, and of course antibiotics, have created more comfortable conditions for humanity than the healing powers of air conditioning. Unless you have a Jeep or a convertible with detachable doors and roof, even the shortest of commutes are unbearable without AC at the height of summer. Like any other system in your vehicle, routine maintenance and mechanical consideration can go a long way in keeping it running strong. Vehicles parked all day in the sweltering sun can bake up conditions akin to Death Valley. But because your first instinct is to crank the AC to the max, you’re forcing the compressor and engine to work harder than it would normally have to, further impacting gas mileage. By storing your car in the cool shade of a carport or garage, you’ll be doing the AC a solid by reducing power output by allowing it to operate in cooler conditions.
Turning Up the Heat on Would-be Thieves
There’s a more sinister side to supply and demand economics. When less than scrupulous motorists can’t secure gas at favorable pricing, they will resort to stealing and the Black Market to shore up shortages or exploit a hot commodity. Reports of gasoline theft are on the rise nationwide. In some instances, these siphoning rebels are making off with thousands of dollars in gas. Many times, motorists don’t even know they’ve been hit until their car is on a lift at the local shop and the mechanic notices small drill holes in the underside of a tank. A fully enclosed metal garage can fortify your car from not only the elements, but also opportunistic crooks looking for an easy fix on liquid gold.
Keeping You Honest Will Improve Gas Mileage
Because most car owners tend to store their tools and equipment in the same metal structure as their car, they are more looking to stay on top of car maintenance. The reason? It’s the simple, yet constant reminder and presence of these tools that stress the importance of vehicle upkeep. If you’re walking past your jack and socket set everyday, these items will hopefully jar your memory that your car is due for an oil change or that you need to swap out the spark plugs. Car protection and routine maintenance often go hand-in-hand when it comes to helping improve gas mileage.