In today’s economic times, it’s more important than ever to protect the investment in your vehicle – whether it’s a vintage collector, luxury car or an everyday car. Yet, there are many misconceptions about car maintenance that make it difficult to know how to best keep your car in good running condition. Properly maintaining the engine and using high-quality fuel in the right grade will go a long way to help protect the life of your vehicle.

Here are a few useful tips:

• Regular maintenance will help keep your vehicle running longer and can help save money at the pump: Fact

Keeping up on regular car care services, such as changing the engine air filter, oil changes and transmission checkups, can help your vehicle run more efficiently and avoid major expenses in the future – no matter how old your car is. Following a vehicle manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by 1 to 2 percent. Be sure to look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to ensure it contains friction-reducing additives. Keeping your engine properly tuned can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Also, finding and correcting smaller mechanical problems before they turn into bigger ones can help save you money in the long run.

• All gasolines are the same: Myth

In addition to basic vehicle maintenance, gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine. So if you’ve been using lower-quality gasolines in your vehicle, it is important to clean up the gunk left behind in your engine. Gunk, also known as carbon deposits, can begin to build up in as little as 5,000 miles.

• Octane levels in fuel don’t really make a difference: Myth

You probably associate octane with the numbers you see at the pump, but the technical explanation for octane is a fuel’s ability to resist engine knock. If you use a lower octane fuel in an engine designed to use higher octane, engine knocking may occur, causing the car to shudder and lose performance. Most modern engines can sense knocking and go into a “safe mode” in order to protect the engine from serious damage, yet can reduce its ability to perform at its best.

According to Kelly Blue Book, 62 percent of new car models recommend premium fuel, which includes higher levels of octane. So check your owner’s manual to determine what your manufacturer recommends. And if you have a performance vehicle that requires premium fuel (octane level 91 to 93, depending on the region), using the specified rating will help you achieve optimal engine performance.

However, it’s important to remember that “premium grade” only references octane level, and doesn’t always equal premium quality. Using a high-quality premium gasoline can provide benefits that go beyond octane.

Properly maintaining your engine is an important component in helping protect the life of a vehicle. In addition to basic vehicle maintenance like regular oil and filter changes and checking spark plugs, gasoline choice plays a vital role in the cleanliness and performance of an engine. Making these smaller, daily choices can help you to drive your vehicle longer, keeping more money in your pocket down the road.