3 Reasons You May Be Getting Poor Gas Mileage

Do you know how your tire choices will affect your ability to stop during a rainstorm? I didn't used to think that these kinds of things mattered that much, but after carefully considering my options a few years ago, it really became clear that I needed to focus on choosing better wheels for my car. I was able to work with a tire professional to narrow down exactly what I needed, and within a few months, it was obvious how much of a difference it was making. This blog is all about finding great tires that will work for your car.

3 Reasons You May Be Getting Poor Gas Mileage

13 August 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Have you noticed lately that you seem to be filling up at the pump more than usual and that your gas gauge seems to hit empty sooner than it used to? You know for a fact it's not your imagination that you're not able to drive your car as many miles before having to fill up the tank again. If this sounds like you, here are three reasons you may be getting poor gas mileage:

Your Tires Are Underinflated

It's true that the primary purpose of the tires on your car is to provide traction for your vehicle. You also know tires are the things that go round and round and get you to where you need to go. However, if your tires are underinflated, it may be the reason your gas mileage has taken a hit.

Just because your tires don't look low, doesn't mean that they don't have adequate amounts of air in them. This is why it's a good idea to check them at least once a month with a tire pressure gauge. If you are constantly putting air in your tire, you should get your tires checked at a tire shop, as you might need to get it replaced.

Your Air Filter Is Clogged

The primary function of your car's air filter is to keep dirt and other contaminants from getting into your engine. If particles do happen to get through, it can cause increased wear and tear on your vehicle's engine and can even contaminate your oil. If your air filter is dirty, other things it can cause is poor gas mileage.

How often you change your air filter can vary and usually depends on what type of vehicle you have, along with the type of conditions you drive in. As a general rule of thumb, your air filter should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

You're Driving Too Fast

This is probably one of the easiest ways to improve your gas mileage, especially if you spend a lot of time driving on the open highway. For instance, by choosing to drive 55 mph instead of 65 mph, your gas mileage can improve by 10 to 15%.

Besides driving at an appropriate speed, other ways to improve your gas mileage while on the highway include: getting rid of excess weight, drive with the windows up and the air conditioning off, and by drafting the vehicle in front of you.

Check out a website like http://evanstire.com for more information and assistance.