Does your heart ache every time you have to spend at the gas station? You chose not to purchase a hybrid or an electric car for a reason, and now you’re stuck with this huge gas guzzler. If your vehicle isn’t getting the gas mileage it used to, there could be several reasons.
Reasons for Low Mileage:
A vehicle that sips more fuel than it used to can be frustrating, but there are several reasons this might happen.
Old Engine Air Filter:
Over time, your car’s air filter will get clogged with dirt and debris. It restricts the volume of air flowing into the engine. Your engine will burn old, and you’ll decrease your car’s performance – including gas mileage.
Dirty Oxygen Sensor:
The oxygen sensor monitors the correct air-fuel ratio. If it gets unclean or damaged, it might cause your car to run leaner than usual. It will result in reduced gas mileage and engine damage. Luckily, it’s easy to replace an oxygen sensor.
Damaged Fuel Injectors:
If your car’s fuel injectors are damaged, they might not be able to deliver the right amount of gasoline to your engine. It will make your car run less efficiently and use more gas than usual. You can have your fuel injectors cleaned or replaced if they’re not working correctly.
Worn Out Piston Rings:
Piston rings keep oil out of the combustion chamber by sealing it. If your piston rings are worn down, your engine will need to use more oil and gas. If your piston rings become damaged, you’ll have to replace them.
Bad Spark Plugs:
Spark plugs fire the air-fuel mix in your car’s engine. They might misfire and require more gasoline if they are clogged or damaged. If your spark plugs aren’t performing correctly, you may clean or replace them.
Ignoring Maintenance:
If you don’t keep up with regularly scheduled maintenance, it can lead to poor gas mileage. Things like changing your oil, checking your tire pressure, and cleaning your air filter can all help improve your gas mileage.
Bad Fuel:
If you’re using low-quality or stale fuel, it can lead to poor gas mileage. Make sure you’re using fresh, high-quality gasoline in your car.
How to Improve Gas Mileage?
Luckily, you can do a few things to improve your gas mileage.
Reduce your air conditioning usage: Using air conditioning can decrease your gas mileage by 20%. When it’s hot outside, try to use other methods of cooling off your car, like opening the windows or using a fan.
Avoid idling: If you stop for more than 60 seconds, it’s better to turn off your engine. You can try a different route to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
Lighten your load: The heavier your car is, the more gas it will use. If you have any extra weight in your trunk or backseat, take it out!
Final Thoughts:
It might not always be straightforward to determine the cause of your low gas mileage. If that’s your case, our experts at Lynn Layton Ford, serving Basham, AL, are happy to take a look!
Schedule a service today, and let us deal with your fuel inefficiency woes!
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