Keep Your Vehicle ‘Green’ and Wallet Happy When Headed Back to School

‘Green’ is in and gas prices have soared. And as many of us or our offspring head back to school, we will want to make sure our vehicles are environmentally ‘green,’ and – especially important with today’s soaring fuel prices – make sure our wallets stay ‘green’ as well.  

Ensuring vehicular environmental responsibility goes hand-in-hand with ensuring vehicular efficiency. Most cars, SUVs, vans or light trucks operate when an air and fuel mixture is ignited within the engine, and this combustion provides the energy that propels the vehicle. The ideal ratio of air and fuel is 14 parts air to 1 part fuel (14:1), called stochiometric. When the ratio strays too far away from this mixture, the engine operates less efficiently – fuel economy suffers, power decreases, and pollutants entering the exhaust increase.  

”One of the best ways to maximize fuel efficiency and environmental protection is by installing a fresh set of premium spark plugs, such as Bosch’s Ir Fusion Platinum Iridium plugs.  The Fusion spark plug produces the most powerful spark available, which ignites the air/fuel mixture more efficiently, and the Fusion plug with its combination of rare metals and surface air gap design produces this powerful spark for tens of thousands of miles,” noted Reid Smith, Product Manager, Spark Plugs, for Bosch.  

Bosch’s Fusion is the industry’s only spark plug that combines iridium and platinum in a patented fused fine wire center electrode design.  “This combination provides a more durable and long lasting center electrode, better heat dissipation, and lower, more stable ignition voltage requirements,” explained Smith.  “Bosch’s exclusive surface air gap technology and yttrium-enhanced ground electrodes deliver better performance.”  

“This long-term durability is very important. Wear can erode the electrodes and widen the gap the spark must jump and ignite the air/fuel mixture. This increases stress on the ignition system and can result in less efficient ignition, decreasing performance as well as gas mileage. Durability tests indicate that reduced gap wear in the Bosch Platinum Ir Fusion lowers the voltage requirement on the ignition system as the plug gets older, yielding better, more consistent performance and economy and longer service life,” said Smith.  

And don’t forget check and see if underhood heat has cooked the spark plug wires. Installing fresh premium wire sets, such as those from Bosch, will ensure that the spark plugs get the proper electricity and yield peak, long lasting engine efficiency.

Oxygen Sensors Very Important to Vehicle Operation  

Another very important aspect of proper vehicle maintenance is making sure all the vehicle’s oxygen sensors are operating properly. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen in the exhaust to determine if the correct air/fuel ratio is being burned in the engine, and is crucial to efficient fuel management and engine operations. When operating properly, the oxygen sensor helps keep harmful emissions at a minimum, and vehicle performance and fuel economy at their peak.  

Oxygen sensors are subjected to intense heat, severe cold, thermal shock, vibration, and the ravages of exhaust and external contaminants – but they still are expected to function properly for tens of thousands of miles.  This is made possible by engineering excellence and manufacturing precision. Quality definitely counts, and sensors that go the distance are produced in plants such as Bosch’s facility in Anderson, SC.  

“Have the oxygen sensor or sensors checked and if worn out replaced with the appropriate top quality premium technology sensor, such as those available from Bosch, the inventor of the automotive oxygen sensor. This often improves fuel efficiency as well as drivability, especially in older vehicles.”