The ABC Auto Works & Tire Center Guide to Saving Fuel: Car Weight
April 5, 2019
The team at ABC Auto Works & Tire Center in Walled Lake and Michigan car owners are all talking MPG right now. Better gas mileage. Fewer emissions. Walled Lake drivers want to save the environment and their pocketbooks.
And we all know—or should know—that preventive maintenance will help maximize MPG. But is there something more Walled Lake car owners can do? After all, some of us Walled Lake folks can’t cut back on our driving, and others would like to do more to economize.
Weight is one major enemy of fuel economy. The more you lug around in your vehicle, the more fuel you have to burn to get from Walled Lake to Commerce. And that means buying more gas in Walled Lake and producing more emissions.
Of course, your SUV’s weight isn’t negotiable. And you can’t do much about the weight of your passengers. And this isn’t an article about diet and exercise.
But look around your SUV. Are you hauling a bunch of unnecessary weight around Michigan? Do you really need your golf clubs every time you leave your Walled Lake home? Store sports equipment in the garage. Load it when you need it and store it when you don’t. Who knows? The extra exercise just might reduce the other type of weight in your vehicle.
The same goes for anything else in your car: make-up kits, music collections, extra electronics, spare clothing; whatever your particular extras may be. Pack it when you need it; store it when you don’t.
Clean out your Walled Lake. You’d be surprised how much weight you’re lugging around Walled Lake in plain old junk. Toss old papers, leftover food, and regular old dirt. Even if it’s not a lot of weight, you’ll feel better when you get into your car. A good cleaning is also part of good car care.
Now, don’t toss stuff you really do need. You do need that spare tire—the one in your trunk. And a kit of emergency essentials is not a bad idea. But just carry around the day-to-day essentials. You can pack a more extensive kit and store it in your garage, then toss it in your Walled Lake when you go on a longer trip, but you don’t have to lug it around all the time. After all, are you a driver? Or are you a junk chauffeur?
Lose the junk and save some money in Walled Lake.
Need Service?
More articles from ABC Auto Repair & Tire Center

Stop Right There!
August 9, 2026
Your vehicles brakes are only as good as its master cylinder. This part is truly is the heart of your braking system, because if it isnt working the way it should, the rest of the brake system cant either. The master cylinder is what takes the pressure you put on the brake pedal and ultimately... More

Straight Steering Starts Here
August 2, 2026
Wheel alignment is one of those maintenance items you probably dont notice until something doesnt feel quite right. But alignment plays a major role in how safely and smoothly your vehicle handles. If your wheels arent all pointed in the right direction, everything from steering response to tire ... More

That Clunk Isn’t Normal: Why Your U-Joints Need Lubrication (Lubricate U-Joints)
July 26, 2026
If youve noticed a clunk when shifting from park to drive, accelerating from a stop or letting off on your accelerator, it may be your vehicle warning you about dry or failing U-joints. Those are small, critical components in your drivetrain that allow the driveshaft to flex as your suspension mo... More
