A Service That Pays for Itself in Saved Gas
By the team at Zabor Auto | Rockdale and Crest Hill, IL | Updated June 2026 | 8 minute read
Quick answer: Zabor Auto’s Summer Fuel Economy Package is a $230 seven-point service that includes an oil and filter change, tire rotate and balance, tire pressure set to manufacturer spec, new engine air filter, battery test, alignment inspection, and a weight check of your trunk. For a driver covering 15,000 miles a year at 24 MPG, the resulting fuel economy improvement typically returns $150 to $200 per year in saved gas, which means the service pays for itself inside 12 months and continues to save money after that.
If your gas mileage has been quietly slipping over the last year and you have been blaming Will County gas prices, the truth is more boring and more fixable than that. Most cars lose 8 to 15 percent of their fuel efficiency between regular service intervals, and the causes are almost always the same handful of small things. Tires under-inflated by 4 PSI. An air filter clogged with a year of Illinois dust. A misaligned suspension dragging the wheels half a degree off straight. Six or seven pounds of forgotten gear riding around in the trunk.
Each item costs you a fraction of a mile per gallon. Stacked together, they can knock 3 to 5 MPG off a vehicle that was running fine 12 months ago. Our Summer Fuel Economy Package addresses all of them in one appointment for $230. Here is what you get, why each step matters, and how the math works out.
What is Included in the Summer Fuel Economy Package?
The package is built around the seven highest-impact items for fuel economy on a typical passenger vehicle. Every service is performed by an ASE-credentialed technician at either our Rockdale or Crest Hill location.
Where each step is quietly saving you fuel
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Engine oil & filter change. Fresh oil reduces internal friction. Dirty oil can quietly cost 1 to 2 percent MPG on its own.
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Tire rotation and balance. Even tire wear keeps rolling resistance consistent and stops one corner of the car from dragging.
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Tire pressure to manufacturer spec. Every 1 PSI low across all four tires costs roughly 0.2 percent MPG. A typical car runs 3 to 5 PSI low in summer.
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New engine air filter. A clogged filter forces the engine to work harder for the same power. Up to 10 percent MPG loss on older vehicles.
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Battery load test. A weak battery makes the alternator work overtime, which becomes parasitic drag on the engine.
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Alignment inspection. Half a degree of toe misalignment can scrub MPG and destroy tires. We measure first, then quote a full alignment only if needed.
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Excess trunk weight check. Every 100 pounds of unnecessary cargo costs about 1 percent MPG. Most trunks hide 30 to 80 pounds that should not be there.
How Much Fuel Does the Summer Fuel Economy Package Actually Save?
The honest math depends on your annual mileage, your current MPG, and the price of gas. Here is the calculation for a driver who matches the average Will County commuter:
Example: typical Joliet area commuter
- Annual mileage: 15,000 miles
- Current fuel economy: 24 MPG
- Gas price: $3.50 per gallon
- Current annual fuel cost: $2,187
After the Summer Fuel Economy Package (8% improvement): New fuel economy 25.9 MPG, new annual fuel cost $2,027, annual savings of $160. The package costs $230. Net savings over 18 months: roughly $10. Over 24 months: roughly $90. Over the typical 5 years between fuel system overhauls: $570.
If you drive more than 15,000 miles a year, tow a trailer, or live somewhere with hills (which describes a lot of Crest Hill), the savings compound faster. Customers running 20,000 to 25,000 miles a year typically recover the cost of the package in 6 to 9 months.
How Long Does the Summer Fuel Economy Package Take?
The full package runs about 60 to 90 minutes in the bay. We recommend dropping the car off in the morning and picking it up at lunch. Most customers wait in our lobby, where there is coffee and decent WiFi.
Why is Summer the Right Time for This Service in Will County?
Three reasons.
First, summer heat is brutal on tire pressure. Every 10 degree overnight temperature drop pulls about 1 PSI out of each tire. From April to June in northern Illinois, the average car loses 3 to 5 PSI per tire. Re-inflating to spec is the single biggest one-day MPG improvement most drivers can make.
Second, pollen and road dust season is over. By mid-June, the worst of the spring air pollution has settled. A fresh engine air filter installed now will stay cleaner longer than one installed in March or April.
Third, summer is when you actually use the gas. Family road trips, weekend drives, and longer commutes (because the sunset is later) mean you burn more fuel between June and September than any other quarter. The savings from each MPG gain are largest when you are driving the most miles.
Is the Summer Fuel Economy Package the Same as a Tune-Up?
No, and the distinction matters. A traditional tune-up focuses on ignition system components (spark plugs, ignition coils, sometimes wires and distributor cap on older vehicles) and is a much bigger job. The Summer Fuel Economy Package is preventative maintenance focused specifically on the small drag factors that hurt fuel economy without setting off a check engine light.
Most cars need a Fuel Economy Package every 12 months. Most cars need a full tune-up every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the manufacturer’s interval and the type of spark plugs installed.
Where Can I Get a Fuel Economy Service Near Me in Rockdale or Crest Hill?
Zabor Auto runs two locations serving the Joliet area:
- Rockdale: 601 Moen Ave, Rockdale, IL 60436 | (815) 741-4647
- Crest Hill: 2209 Theodore St, Crest Hill, IL 60403 | (779) 220-8400
Both locations are family-owned, independently operated, and staffed by ASE-credentialed technicians. We give written estimates, we do not perform work without authorization, and we explain every recommendation in plain English before we touch your car.
Backed by Our Industry-Leading 2-Year, 24,000-Mile Warranty
Every repair at both Zabor Auto locations is covered by our nationwide 2-year, 24,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. That is double the industry standard for independent shops and applies whether the job is a routine oil change or a complex engine repair. No extra cost, no hidden exclusions on common services.
We can stand behind that warranty length for three reasons: every technician at both locations is ASE-credentialed, every part we install meets or exceeds manufacturer standards, and every repair is documented in writing from estimate to final invoice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I really improve my gas mileage by 8 percent with basic maintenance?
Yes, and often more. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that proper tire inflation alone can improve fuel economy by up to 3 percent, a fresh air filter can add another 6 to 10 percent on older vehicles, and properly maintained engines see another 4 percent improvement. Most cars do not get all three at once, which is why a single comprehensive service produces noticeable results.
Will the Summer Fuel Economy Package fix my check engine light?
No. A lit check engine light means a sensor has detected a fault, and that requires a diagnostic scan to identify. If your check engine light is on, mention it when you book and we will scan the code as part of the visit. There may be a small additional charge depending on what the code reveals.
Do I need to bring my car in for the Summer Fuel Economy Package every year?
Most drivers benefit from running it once a year, ideally in late spring or early summer. Drivers who put more than 20,000 miles a year on their vehicle may benefit from a midyear check on tire pressure and air filter.
How do I know if my alignment is off?
Common signs are uneven tire wear (more on the inside or outside edges), the car drifting to one side on a flat road when you let go of the wheel, or a steering wheel that does not sit centered when driving straight. The inspection in the Fuel Economy Package will tell you definitively whether a full alignment is needed. A full alignment is quoted separately if required.
Is Zabor Auto cheaper than the dealership for this kind of service?
Almost always. A comparable bundle at most dealerships in the Joliet area runs $300 to $400 and often does not include the air filter or the alignment inspection. The $230 price at Zabor Auto includes all seven items and is performed by ASE-credentialed technicians using the same OE-spec parts.
Can I add the AC Performance Test to my Summer Fuel Economy Package appointment?
Yes, and many customers do. The AC Performance Test is $145 and can be performed alongside the Fuel Economy Package in the same visit. Let us know when you book.
What are Zabor Auto’s hours?
Both locations are open Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.