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What Causes Poor Gas Mileage and How to Fix it!

Many of the main causes for poor gas mileage are mechanical and include things like improper air flow, faulty injectors or bad oxygen sensors.
"Your vehicle needs both fuel and air to give the best fuel mileage," says Nicole Syme, owner at LMN Auto & Tire. When one part of the system malfunctions, that can throw off your fuel usage and hurt gas mileage."

Aside from mechanical issues, other factors can affect gas mileage. Syme says bad alignment, improperly inflated tires, poor tread and driving habits can make a difference in how far a Liter of gas goes.

Poorly maintained tires..

"They can cause your car to pull harder and do extra work to get going," says Syme. "If the tire is improperly inflated or aligned, you could be battling against gravity to go down the road."

Worn brakes can also be an issue, says Mike Engelhardt, a mechanic with over 15 years of experience and co-owner of LMN Auto & Tire. "Brake pads tend to get sticky as they wear out, and as old brakes apply resistance to the engine, it's forced to work harder," says Engelhardt. "When the engine has to work harder, it burns more fuel, and you'll get fewer Kilometers out of each Liter."

Here's how to improve gas mileage

Some of the causes for poor gas mileage can be more obvious than others. For example, if your vehicle frequently "pulls" to one side while driving, that could be a clue it's out of alignment. Syme says that keeping up with maintenance can help you spot and prevent issues that may drain your vehicle's fuel economy.

Basic vehicle maintenance includes things like:
·        Getting regular oil changes
·        Having the air filter checked regularly
·        Performing tune-ups based on the manufacturer's recommended schedule

It's also important to pay attention when your vehicle is trying to tell you something.
"When the check engine light comes on or you notice your vehicle running differently, having repairs done right away can not only return you to good fuel mileage, but it can keep your car in tip-top shape to last for the long run," says Engelhardt.

​Aside from basic maintenance, you can also focus on specific areas that tend to be trouble spots. For example, cleaning fuel injectors to avoid clogs that could slow your vehicle down, keeping tires properly inflated throughout the changing seasons and having a mechanic inspect your brakes each time you get an oil change to ensure they're in good working order.

Does changing spark plugs improve mileage?

It can, if worn spark plugs are misfiring, which can drain fuel efficiency. Likewise, replacing sagging belts and maintaining the appropriate level of transmission fluid can help boost gas mileage.

Safe Driving Can Save on Gas

Why are you getting bad gas mileage? Well, it could be your driving. Especially in busy cities or during rush hour, many drivers like to accelerate through a greenlight as fast as possible. And while getting stuck at a red is never fun, sudden acceleration uses more gas and wears out your vehicle more. 
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Aggressive driving reduces gas mileage by 30% on highways and 40% on city streets. Remember, driving too close to the vehicle in front of you doesn’t just reduce your fuel economy, it also increases the chance of an accident and fuel leaks in your vehicle.

Tip: since the risk of sudden braking increases if you drive too close to the vehicle in front of you (i.e. tailgating), the general recommendation is to keep three seconds’ worth of space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.

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At LMN Auto & Tire our tire and auto services experts are ready to help you get the most out of your vehicle.
​Contact us today! 604.294.3788
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