One of the questions we get the most at Glenn’s Auto Service is, “how can I get better gas mileage?” or “Why has my car’s gas mileage gone down?” And with gas prices so high, it’s no surprise most drivers care so much about their fuel economy. When your car gets older, it’s not unusual for your gas mileage to suffer. However, when you take good care of your vehicle, including getting regular preventative maintenance, your fuel economy should stay consistent.
Top Causes of Bad Fuel Economy
Of course, many car owners do see decreased fuel economy. But why? Why does your car start to get bad gas mileage? Here are some of the most common causes and what you can do about them.
Tire Pressure Is Off – it might not be the first place you check, but low tire pressure can affect your fuel economy. Thankfully, this is an easy fix. Just properly inflate your tires, based on the correct amount of pressure listed on the sidewall of the tire.
Spark Plugs Are Old – old sparks plugs can hurt your gas mileage. They work with your fuel injectors to ignite fuel in the engine combustion chamber. If your spark plugs are worn out, your fuel efficiency will decline. If they’re bad, you can change your plugs or come see us and we’ll do it for you.
Oxygen Sensor Has Failed – a bad oxygen sensor can also hurt fuel economy by as much as 20 percent. A clogged or dirty air filter can be just as bad. By changing your oxygen sensor or air filter regularly, your fuel efficiency should remain strong. Make sure your fuel injectors are also clean and free of clogs because that can hurt fuel economy too.
Dirty or Old Oil – old or dirty oil can cause decreased gas mileage as well. When motor oil is past its prime, or your oil level is low, decreased fuel efficiency is common.
The good news is these are basic issues that have simple fixes. That’s why routine preventative maintenance is so valuable. It helps keep your vehicle working right and running smoothly. And your fuel economy should stay consistent.
How You Drive
However, there are other things that affect fuel economy. Driving habits can also affect your fuel efficiency. For example, do you run the AC a lot or use your vehicle’s entertainment system whenever you drive? What about your speed? Do you slam on the brakes a lot? All these factors affect gas mileage. The slower you drive the better mileage your car will get. Slowing down not only saves on fuel, but it also helps you stay safer on the road.
Get Better Fuel Economy with Help from Glenn’s Auto Service
One of the most important factors in the car you drive is fuel economy. It doesn’t look like gas prices are coming down anytime soon. So, people are always looking for ways to improve their mileage.
If you’ve seen your gas mileage slip recently, you should bring your vehicle into Glenn’s Auto Service in Downey. We’ll get to the bottom of the issue and get your mileage back up to speed. Don’t spend more of your hard earned money on gas than you need to.
If you’re looking for the right service and repairs for your vehicle in Downey, then please call us at 562-359-4232 to schedule your next service. You can also schedule an appointment with us online by clicking here. We are your trusted Downey, CA auto repair shop for all services and repairs on all makes and models, including:
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