Feeling like fuel is eating up more and more of your monthly budget? Discover the top causes of bad gas mileage and save your wallet by learning how to fix them.
Summer gas prices can have you sweating at the pump. So, if you find yourself stopping for gas more often than usual, the first question you should ask is, “Why is my car getting bad gas mileage?” The second is, “How can I fix it?” Fortunately, we might be able to answer both of those questions and help save your wallet. Read on to dive into the common causes of poor gas mileage and how to fix them.
Before checking for things out of your control, like malfunctioning parts, here’s something you can control — driving habits. You’ve probably heard of Newton’s first law of motion: “…an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion…” The same is true for your vehicle, which requires more fuel to get moving than it does to stay moving.
As such, aggressive acceleration, deceleration, and speeding can all lead to bad fuel efficiency. Do your best to drive smoothly — ease onto the gas pedal, brake gradually, and maintain a constant speed to maximize fuel efficiency.
It’s a fact of life that heavier vehicles require more fuel to drive. While you may not have forgotten a full set of weight-lifting plates in the trunk of your car, when it comes to performance and fuel efficiency, every pound counts. Take a look at what’s in the trunk of your car or the bed of your truck.
Those donation clothes you’ve been riding around with for months? Drop them off. The sandbags for wintertime traction that you forgot to take out of your truck bed? Take them out. By removing excess weight from your vehicle, you can help maximize your chance of attaining good fuel economy once more.
Routine maintenance and tune-ups are crucial to the health of your vehicle, and neglecting them can lead to a variety of issues that reduce fuel economy, like:
So, if it seems like you’re losing gas mileage every time you drive, consider whether your vehicle has had regular oil changes and other types of scheduled maintenance recently. If it hasn’t, it’s probably time for a checkup.
Your tire pressure can play a massive role in fuel economy, too. Low tire pressure can increase rolling resistance, which is exactly what it sounds like — the amount of resistance your vehicle exhibits against rolling.
A higher rolling resistance can cause your vehicle to burn more fuel, while a lower rolling resistance results in better fuel efficiency. So, get in the habit of checking your vehicle’s tire pressure and airing them up to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (pressure per square inch) — it not only helps improve gas mileage but can also enhance their lifespan.
The alignment of your vehicle refers to how its suspension is calibrated. When your vehicle is out of alignment, its wheels can be pointed inwards or outwards, either horizontally or vertically, which can impact rolling resistance.
When aligned properly, the balance between rolling resistance and handling capability is in tune — giving your car the best chance of attaining optimal performance and fuel efficiency. If you notice that your vehicle pulls to one side, squeals when turning, or wears its tires funny, it’s probably time to take it in for an alignment; your tires and gas mileage will thank you!
Over time, your vehicle’s fuel injectors can become clogged by various debris and congealed fuel. When this happens, your engine’s fuel supply can be disrupted, leading to poor performance and increased fuel consumption. Fortunately, most cars will illuminate the check engine light if one or more of their fuel injectors become clogged. So, if you notice that one of your malfunction warning lights has come on — check engine or otherwise — whatever is causing it is likely the root of your poor gas mileage.
The proper air-fuel ratio is critical for your engine to run properly. To obtain that, modern vehicles use oxygen (O2) and mass airflow (MAF) sensors. The MAF sensor identifies how much air enters the engine, while the O2 sensor reads how much oxygen exits the engine via the exhaust. Both readings help your vehicle’s computer determine what air-fuel ratio to use for optimal performance. If either of these sensors goes bad, fuel efficiency will generally plummet and the check engine light will illuminate. If your car exhibits any of these symptoms, we recommend stopping by Ed Hicks Nissan to have it inspected.
Many factors can contribute to poor gas mileage, but a Nissan expert can help get to the root of the problem. If your car is suddenly experiencing a drop in mileage, turn to the pros at Ed Hicks Nissan in Corpus Christi for help. Our team of experienced technicians is ready to diagnose the problem and walk you through your service options. Schedule a service appointment today and be on the way to worry-free miles.
