FAQs
Key Takeaways. Old or dirty air filters can reduce engine efficiency, causing poor gas mileage. Faulty oxygen sensors can lead to incorrect air-fuel mixtures, lowering fuel efficiency. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, reducing fuel economy.
Why am I only getting 10 miles per gallon? ›
Aside from mechanical issues, other factors can affect gas mileage. Miskelley says bad alignment, improperly inflated tires, poor tread and driving habits can make a difference in how far a gallon of gas goes. "Poorly maintained tires can cause your car to pull harder and do extra work to get going," says Miskelley.
What is considered excellent MPG? ›
A good MPG is one that allows you to cover a good distance on the least amount of fuel. A good fuel consumption figure for a used car is around 40-60mpg. Cars that can achieve 40mpg are likely to help you keep fuel costs low, and anything above this is even more impressive.
How accurate are MPG ratings? ›
The EPA says its test results are almost always very close to the automakers' numbers. When they don't match, a long discussion ensues. According to the rules, if the EPA retests a vehicle to assess an automaker's results, the fuel economy should be within three percent.
Can bad alignment cause low MPG? ›
Yes, wheel alignment can significantly impact fuel economy. Proper alignment reduces rolling resistance, allowing your car to move more efficiently and consume less fuel. Misaligned wheels create additional drag and force the engine to work harder, thereby increasing fuel consumption.
What improves mpg? ›
How to Improve Gas Mileage in 5 Steps
- Clear out the extra clutter. There are some items you should keep in your car, like an emergency kit. ...
- Limit idling. ...
- Keep your speed steady and within the speed limit. ...
- Check your tire pressure. ...
- Perform regular maintenance.
How to fix poor fuel mileage? ›
Ways to improve gas mileage
- Get a tune-up. Dirty oil, clogged air filters, and plugged fuel filters can reduce your car's fuel economy. ...
- Don't speed. ...
- Use fuel additives. ...
- Watch your RPMs. ...
- Keep moving. ...
- Use cruise control. ...
- Check your tire pressure.
How to diagnose bad gas mileage? ›
Signs of Bad Gas Mileage and What To Do
- You're Driving in Harsh Conditions. ...
- You Have the Wrong Tires. ...
- Your Tires Aren't Properly Inflated. ...
- Your Air Filter Hasn't Been Replaced Recently. ...
- You're Carrying Extra Weight. ...
- Your Car Is Getting Older. ...
- You're Driving More Miles. ...
- How To Improve Gas Mileage: What Can I Do?
Does a fuel filter help gas mileage? ›
If you have a clean fuel filter, better gas mileage will often follow. The reasoning is not quite the same as that with the air filter, but the common principle is anything other than gas or air in your combustion cycle will hurt your engine's efficiency.
Does mpg get better with age? ›
As an engine ages, fuel economy will decrease somewhat. However, in most cases, this decrease in fuel economy has less to do with the age of the engine and more to do with how many miles you've driven and whether your vehicle has faulty or worn engine components.
Midsize conventional gasoline cars achieve their best fuel economy at 55 mph. The fuel economy of midsize conventional diesel cars declines gradually from 45 to 55 mph and then drops quickly thereafter. The midsize hybrid electric vehicle loses efficiency more evenly between 45 and 75 mph.
Does 93 give you better mpg? ›
No, any fuel efficiency gained using premium fuel would stem from engine performance, not the gas itself. Buying premium gas won't have you visiting a gas station any less frequently, especially with a standard engine not designed to take advantage of premium gas.
Do different gas stations give better mpg? ›
The truth is, wherever you go and what kind you get can make a big difference in how well your vehicle runs. Not all gas stations hold themselves to the same standards, and there can be a significant variation in how they treat the fuel in their tanks and where they get it from.
What is considered bad mpg? ›
The mpg figure simply refers to the number of miles you can drive using one gallon of fuel. As a rule of thumb, an efficient car will do more than 60mpg. Anything more than 50mpg can be regarded as decent fuel consumption, but if you're getting less than 25mpg, efficiency probably isn't your priority.
Does brand of gas affect mpg? ›
You might be purchasing a higher grade fuel, or lower grade fuel. Name brand fuels do add detergents or other additives to their fuel, but generally these additives do not affect the vehicles fuel mileage.
How do I increase my average MPG? ›
Ways to improve gas mileage
- Get a tune-up. Dirty oil, clogged air filters, and plugged fuel filters can reduce your car's fuel economy. ...
- Don't speed. ...
- Use fuel additives. ...
- Watch your RPMs. ...
- Keep moving. ...
- Use cruise control. ...
- Check your tire pressure.
Why is my car using so much gas all of a sudden? ›
One of the most common reasons for decreased fuel economy is simply that your vehicle is getting older. As your vehicle ages, it starts to lose some of its efficiency. This is due to several factors, including wear and tear on the engine parts and the build-up of deposits in the fuel injectors.
Does MPG get better with age? ›
As an engine ages, fuel economy will decrease somewhat. However, in most cases, this decrease in fuel economy has less to do with the age of the engine and more to do with how many miles you've driven and whether your vehicle has faulty or worn engine components.
Why is my gas mileage not reading correctly? ›
The most common reason for the fuel gauge to malfunction in a car is due to a bad fuel sending unit. The fuel sending unit measures the amount of gas in the tank and communicates the level to the fuel gauge in your car's dashboard.