Buying gas is just one of the many costs that come with owning a vehicle. Whether you drive to work or school every day, getting good gas mileage can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you’re wondering why your car is getting poor fuel economy, there could be several reasons that it’s using up gasoline at a faster than normal rate. Here are a few reasons your car may have poor gas mileage per gallon, and what you can do to fix it.
You Have Incorrect Tire Pressure
If the air pressure in your tires is too low or too high, it can cause you to lose fuel. Uneven tire pressure makes your car work harder, which in turn makes it burn gas faster. This is an easy fix that only requires a quick trip to the gas station so you can add air to your tires and make sure they’re at the recommended PSI level. You can find this number on the doorplate located on the inside of the driver’s side door.
Bad Oxygen Sensors and Air Filters
The oxygen sensor in your car ensures that it has the correct mixture of air and fuel. If this part goes bad, it won’t recognize when things are off-balance. Air filters should also be clean and clear. By checking these two parts, your vehicle should run a lot cleaner and much more efficiently.
Spark Plugs and Fuel Injectors
The spark plugs are what create a spark for all combustion engines to run. If they’re not in good condition or they are misfiring, it can affect your gas mileage negatively. Fuel injectors are what put the fuel into your engine. If they’re clogged or leaking, it will definitely make your car run a lot less efficiently and can waste a lot of gas without you knowing it. Have your plugs and fuel injector inspected to ensure that they’re in good working order.
Driving Habits
You might be surprised to learn that your driving habits can have a profound effect on fuel economy. If you’re an “aggressive” driver or your drive in a lot of heavy highway traffic, it can affect your gas consumption in a major way. Accelerating too quickly causes fuel to burn up faster, and the same applies whenever you rev your engine. Think about your current driving habits and try to correct them to get better gas mileage.
For all your vehicle’s repair and maintenance needs, call Marks Auto Service in Rockford or Loves Park.
