Throughout the world, prices are on the rise, and there’s nowhere that’s more evident than with gas prices. Gas prices often fluctuate, and right when you think you’re going to get a deal at the pump, it seems like the prices skyrocket. It’s not a fun situation to be in, but what’s even worse is experiencing poor fuel economy in your car, something that can happen for many different reasons. When you understand the causes of poor fuel economy, you can fight against them and get your car to drive efficiently again.
Poorly Inflated Tires
One common reason why you may end up with poor fuel economy is having poorly inflated tires. When you underinflate your tires, you are changing your car’s ability to find traction on the road. The ideal tire inflation provides the right amount of traction to keep you on the road without creating too much drag to slow you down. Under-inflated tires get too much fiction, meaning you need to expend much more fuel to drive the same distances. If you want to boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, make sure you have the right tires for your unique make and model and inflate them to the proper PSI.
Faulty Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are a relatively small component within your car, but they’re still incredibly important. Spark plugs emit electricity when starting your vehicle, igniting the fuel and air mixture in your engine.
This process gets your car moving, but as your spark plugs age and wear down, their efficiency lowers, hurting your vehicle in numerous ways. One of the bigger signs that you need to replace your spark plugs is poor fuel economy. Older plugs mean your car isn’t burning fuel efficiently. If you think you may be in this situation, it’s time to bring your car in for an inspection and get yourself some brand-new spark plugs.
Bad Driving
Another reason you may have poor fuel economy is that you’re not driving like an expert would. Many people push their foot on the gas pedal too quickly and too harshly or take turns too quickly. Excessive acceleration and revving your car too much will quickly drain your gas. On the other side of things, excessive idling can also dramatically hurt your fuel economy. It’s important to practice defensive driving that falls in line with the way the vehicle manufacturer intended the car to function.
Once you can identify the different reasons why you might be experiencing poor fuel economy in your car, you can take the necessary steps to address the issue. Poor fuel economy hurts your car, your pockets, and the environment. Take the necessary action to fix poor fuel economy so that you can drive off with peace of mind knowing that your car is in good condition.
