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United Tire and Service News

How to Improve Your Car’s Fuel Economy in Philadelphia PA

4/22/2022 3:05:00 PM | (459) View Count | Return
Owning a vehicle in today’s modern society is a fundamental necessity. However, there is one element about vehicle ownership that frustrates most of us. Although maintenance and auto repair service can be frazzling, the constant rise in the price of fuel is one of the biggest issues for motorists. As gas prices remain high, improving your car’s mileage is crucial. You want to utilize every possible way of stretching a tank of gas further and reduce the number of times you must fill up per month. Regardless of what car you drive, you can always use a little extra money at the end of the month, and cutting back your gas expenses is a great way to do so. 
Fuel Economy
 

Why Am I Seeing A Decrease in Fuel Economy?

 
Bad Fuel Injectors: Fuel injectors are what puts fuel in your engine. If your fuel injectors are leaking or dirty, less fuel is making it to the engine, leading to a decrease in performance and gas mileage.
 
Using the A/C Too Often: If you live in a milder climate, consider turning off the air conditioning and rolling down your windows instead. Having your A/C on wastes a lot of fuel on powering the system. At higher speeds, however, be sure to roll up your windows, as leaving them down creates drag.
 
Your Driving Habits: If you are an aggressive driver, you may be wasting gas. Accelerating quickly and revving your engine both waste fuel. Idling is also wasteful. Most engines only require 30 seconds or so to warm up, so there is no need to idle your car for several minutes on a brisk morning.
 
The Type of Oil You Use: The type of oil you choose for your engine can have a significant impact on your fuel economy. If you are using a traditional oil, considering swapping it out for a synthetic or synthetic blend to reduce friction and increase performance.
 
Bad Spark Plugs: If your spark plugs are misfiring or are otherwise not functioning properly, it can have a negative effect on your MPG. Have your spark plugs checked by your mechanic if you have noticed decreased mileage.
 
Bad Oxygen Sensors or Air Filters: Having a bad air filter or oxygen sensor can decrease your MPG by up to 20%! Your oxygen sensors help the engine maintain a proper balance of air and fuel, which maintains efficiency. If your air filters are dirty, your engine can’t perform its best. In a way, a dirty air filter prevents your engine from “breathing.”
 
Tires: Underinflated tires will make a huge dent in your MPG. We recommend you keep an inexpensive tire pressure gauge in your vehicle to periodically check your pressure.
 
Wheel Alignment: If you've hit a pot hole and misaligned your car, your fuel economy could be impacted pretty significantly. Since the wheels of a misaligned car drag instead of moving freely, the vehicle is working harder to drive down the road. A misalignment can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10%. 
 

Our Recommended Steps to Reduce Fuel Consumption

There are many tips that you can implement to help increase your mileage and save money on gas. Cars run their best and consume less fuel when they are well maintained. Below are a few ways to keep your car in peak condition and improve your fuel economy. 

Reduce Excess Weight

Extra weight in your vehicle reduces your gas mileage. Weight in your car causes the engine to work harder to move the car, which increases the amount of fuel required for operation. If you’re carrying a lot of weight, lightening the load can help you get a mile or two more per gallon. Don’t carry around items you don’t need. Removing unnecessary items from your car will reduce your car’s weight and can reduce fuel consumption by 1-2%.
 

Get a Coolant Exchange

When it comes to great gas mileage, people often overlook the role the cooling system plays in performance. This service replaces old and dirty coolant with fresh, new coolant. The coolant is important for moving heat away from the engine. Overtime, there can be buildup within the coolant, which can prevent the system from cooling off correctly. If your vehicle is working overtime to cool down with older and dirtier coolant, this can decrease your engine's performance and your car's fuel efficiency as well. 

 

gas capGet Regular Tune-Ups

Routine maintenance services such as regular oil changes, air-filter changes, and spark plug replacements will lengthen the life of your vehicle as well as improve fuel economy and minimize emissions. You should follow the schedule in your owner’s manual for tune-ups, preventative maintenance, and other services your vehicle needs to stay effective. 
 

Properly Inflate Tires

The easiest way to reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption is to inflate your tires to the right pressure. Under-inflated tires result in your engine using more gas to move the car. Your tires should be inflated to the pressure indicated in your owner’s manual for the best balance between gas mileage and traction. Under-inflated tires by 10 PSI per tire can cost you 5 MPG or more.
 

Alter Your Driving Style

One of the best ways to improve fuel consumption is to maintain a consistent speed while driving. Constantly slowing down and speeding up can increase your fuel consumption by over 10 percent. Don't accelerate quickly or stomp on the brakes — coast to a stop. This will give you savings on fuel as well as wear and tear on your brakes. Turn off your engine when you are parked or stalled for a while. These driving styles will keep your vehicle from consuming excessive fuel. 
 
By altering your driving style and maintaining your vehicle, you will notice an improvement in fuel economy. You don’t need a fuel-efficient car to save on gas. There is plenty you can do to increase your gas mileage. By using these tips, you can save money at the gas pump. Keep in mind that taking your car in for regular check-ups and tune-ups, and auto repairs will also save you a great deal of money and keep your vehicle working effectively. A car that doesn’t run at its optimum performance level can cost you a lot in the long run. You can schedule your next service online now. 

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At United Tire & Service, our staff is here to serve customers throughout Pennsylvania. We offer top-quality auto repair services done by expert technicians. From an oil change or brake repair to auto air conditioning repair, muffler repair, engine diagnostics, wheel alignment, car batteries, fleet repair, tire repair, suspension repair and Pennsylvania state vehicle inspections, we do it all. We also stock a wide selection of tires from all the top brands in the industry including Goodyear Tires, Dunlop Tires, Kelly Tires, and many more. Schedule an appointment with us today at one of our locations in Concordville, Downingtown, Emmaus, Feasterville, Phoenixville, Southampton, Paoli, West Chester or Willow Grove, PA. We are your number one source for top quality, affordable auto repair and tires!