Gas mileage is an important piece of data for you to have as a car owner. It tells you a lot about the health of your car’s engine and if your fuel mileage is not where the manufacturer says it should be, you need to figure out why. Louisville Automotive Shop has these tips to help you figure it out.
Improper Tire Pressure or Skipped Tire Services
Tire pressure as well as wheel and tire services make a huge difference in how your car uses the fuel it needs. When tires aren’t properly inflated, the surface of the tire doesn’t meet up with the road’s surface the way it needs to in order to move the car. Likewise, skipping things like wheel alignments and tire rotations keep the tires from having what they need in order to make the best connection with the road’s surface.
Other Missed Service Appointments
Skipping or delaying other important services also overworks your car’s engine. If your coolant is old, for instance, it can’t properly cool the engine and it’s working harder, therefore worse fuel mileage. Same goes for oil changes and transmission problems. All of these different services support a specific area of the car, but ultimately they also support the car’s engine and its ability to properly function.
Problems Somewhere with Fuel, Air, or Even Spark
Any issues with spark, air, or fuel automatically affect gas mileage. That’s because combustion is where all the magic happens. Missing the boat on any of those variables causes the engine to work harder and that means bad fuel mileage. Figuring out what exactly is missing can sometimes be tricky, though, which is why it helps to have experienced auto technicians in your corner.
How You’re Driving
You’re part of the whole kit and kaboodle, too. Your own driving habits influence how the engine functions and how it uses the fuel you’re putting in the tanks. If you’re driving aggressively, speeding, and doing other things behind the wheel that affect fuel mileage, you’re going to see that in increased fuel bills. Tracking your fuel mileage and being a conscientious driver can help a lot when you’re trying to get your gas mileage numbers back up.
Still a mystery? It doesn’t have to be. Call us today at Louisville Automotive Shop in Louisville, KY. We can perform diagnostic testing to help you to understand what’s affecting your car’s fuel mileage and get you back on track.