Barbara Terry - America's Favorite Auto Expert

Friday, September 01, 2006

According to Barbara Terry, Dr. FuelGood there are three major tips to help you save money at the pump and get better gas mileage this weekend.

First, check the air pressure in your tires, even your spare tire. Also make sure to check the oil in your car. It can be done in about 30 seconds. Most importantly don’t use a low quality fuel, or it can damage your intake valves.

Barbara Terry/Dr. FuelGood: “ It creates a black goopy substance, which is a carbon deposit and it can build up within the first 500 miles of your new car, so it’s important to protect your investment for performance and longevity.”

Thirty-three percent of Americans wait to get to Empty before they fill up.

Barbara Terry/Dr. FuelGood: “It can actually be a detriment to your vehicle because that sludge pushes up through the bottom of the gas tank; if you’re really waiting 20 miles past empty to fill up. That sludge will run through your whole fuel system which is not good for your car.”

What should you do if you happen to hit a traffic jam this busy roadway weekend?

Barbara Terry/Dr. FuelGood: “You’re getting 0 miles per gallon if you’re idling so if you’re in traffic kill the motor and start it back up when the traffic jam frees up.”

If your car needs repairs before you hit the road Dr. FuelGood has some advice for you.

Barbara Terry/Dr. FuelGood: “If you need to get one thing fixed and they give you a laundry list of things to get done, go get a second opinion at another shop.”

Now that you know some driving tips for Labor Day weekend, do you even know what you’re celebrating? What does Labor Day mean? Here’s what some locals had to say.

Alicia Wilcox/Driver: “No I don’t know what Labor Day means. Labor as in work day or work off day?”

Kim Hemenway/Driver: “I don’t know why we celebrate it, something about working. I don’t know.”

If you'd like to find out more tips to save at the pump or learn about the pump personalities or take the Fuel IQ Test, you can check out