Things That Might Be Causing Your Car To Get Bad Gas Mileage

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If your car is running fine but you notice that your gas mileage is not as good as it used to be, there might be a problem with your car that needs to be addressed. If you are experiencing bad gas mileage, you could take your car to an auto repair service to see if they could diagnose what is causing this to happen. There are several common causes of bad gas mileage, and here are some of the things they may look at.

Your driving habits

The first thing to examine before bringing your car to the shop is changes in your driving habits. If you suddenly start accelerating your car really fast compared to how you usually drive, your car might consume more gas. Additionally, if you run your AC system all the time, when normally you never use it, your car also might use more gas. If you have made changes like these, then these changes might be the cause of your bad gas mileage.

Your tires

One of the first things a shop may check is the pressure in your tires. You might not suspect that your tires would affect the amount of gas your car requires, but your tire pressure can affect this. If you are running with too little air pressure, it can cause your car to use more gas, and this occurs because low tire pressure will cause your car to need to work harder to move it along the roads. Checking your tire pressure every month is a great way to avoid driving with incorrect pressure in your tires.

Your oxygen sensor

The other top cause for poor gas mileage in a car is a bad oxygen sensor. Normally, when an oxygen sensor goes bad, it will cause the "check engine" light to go off in your car; however, there may be times when this does not occur. If your check engine light is on and you are getting bad gas mileage, replacing the oxygen sensor is often one of the most affordable and simple fixes for the problem. An oxygen sensor is a small, inexpensive part in the car's engine, yet it plays a big role in the engine. This sensor basically tells your car's engine how much air and fuel to mix. When the sensor goes bad, it typically causes a car to use way more fuel than it should, and this is what leads to decreased mileage in a vehicle.

If you would like to fix the problem you are having with your vehicle, contact an auto repair company to schedule an appointment to have them look at your car.

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29 March 2019

Keep Your Vehicle Safe

Hello. My name’s Samuel Jacobs. I retired from my job as an auto mechanic last year. During my years as a mechanic, I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Some have remained friends to this day. When I was working, there is one thing that I came across at least weekly. That is how uneducated people are when it comes to their vehicle’s tires. Properly cared for tires are crucial to the safety of your vehicle. Without them, your car isn’t going anywhere. If they give out on you while you are driving, there is the potential for serious injury. I’m going to share some tire safety information here. Things like the importance of correct inflation, how to check the tread, when to replace tires, tire rotation, and what to do in case of a blow-out. I hope you find this information to be helpful.