10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy
December 7, 2025
Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldn’t you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better:
• Not enough air in your tires. Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more resistance to rolling. Keep them inflated properly, plus ask us about more fuel-efficient tires.
• Faulty oxygen sensor. A faulty or dirty oxygen sensor can cause your engine to burn too rich a mixture of air and fuel. That can also trigger a Check Engine light. Have us check yours.
• Oil age and type. Contaminated or improper viscosities of engine oil can create more resistance in your engine. Have regular oil changes and consider newer high-mileage oils.
• Bad wheel alignment. When your wheels aren’t lined up straight, they have more resistance. Let us check your alignment and straighten things out if necessary.
• Aging ignition system. When’s the last time your spark plugs, spark plug wires and coils were changed? Misfires can rob you of good mileage.
• Dirty fuel injectors. They can be inefficient if they’re not clean. Have us check yours to make sure they’re working as they should.
• Fouled fuel filter. After filtering impurities out of your fuel, the filter may be clogged and affect your engine’s performance.
• Worn out or stuck brakes. This creates drag on the wheels and prevents you from rolling freely down the road. Have us inspect yours to see how yours are.
• Worn piston rings. These form a seal in the cylinder walls so you have top compression. When the seal is sloppy, down goes your fuel pressure and mileage.
• Poor maintenance. If you don’t keep your engine’s systems running efficiently, they can nibble away at your fuel economy.
Let us help you keep your eye on each one of these so you aren’t wasting money and gas.
Perfect Tune Auto Repair
5434 S. Old US Highway 23
Brighton, Michigan 48116
810.227.9903
http://www.perfecttuneautorepair.com
Need Service?
More articles from Perfect Tune Auto Repair

"Current" Affairs (Blown Fuses)
October 25, 2026
You may be driving along and find that suddenly your radio stops working. There are no numbers on the display. Then when you get home, you notice the garage door opener doesn't do a thing when you press the button. Hmm, this was working just fine this morning. Are the two problems somehow rela... More

Command Performance (Engine Air Filter)
October 23, 2026
The internal combustion engine in your vehicle counts on two things that mix together to be burned in the engine for power: fuel and air. Both are important, of course. If you run out of fuel, your engine wont run at all. Since theres plenty of air around, you wont run out of air, but you coul... More

Why Alignment Matters (Vehicle Alignment Maintenance)
October 11, 2026
It's one of those things that can happen on a multi-day road adventure or a quick trip to the grocery store. You hit a pothole, go too fast over a speed bump, nail a curb. When it happens, you think, "I wonder if that was hard enough to do any damage?" But things seem ok and you continue on yo... More
