There are several factors that effect how much gas your vehicle uses.
In modern cars the driveline is fully linked and is dependent on all sorts of inputs from sensors and switches to determine exactly how to set the fuel mixture. That’s on top of the normal players like correct fuels, clean air filters, unrestricted exhaust, etc.
If your car is slipping a bit an fuel consumption here’s a few things you can do yourself first.
- Air pressure, somewhere in the 34psi range is fine or refer to the sticker in the gas flap, owners manual, drivers door frame or even read the sidewall of the time.
- Wash it, a clean car is more slippery in the air than a dirty one. Not too mention the extra weight is you have a gravel driveway like I do.
- Fuel quality – this one is sort key on todays cars. While many cars are e85 programmed not all are. Using a fuel with the least amount of ethanol available is best for efficiency and performance. The BTU rating of ethanol is significantly lower than the rating of pure gasoline. For you smart phone users who are dedicated to this, there are several free apps out there for locating ethanol free stations. Even switching to a higher volume station of a name brand car change the economy. My own car runs best on Citgo and BP, put gas from Valero in it and there is a noticeable change in performance and about a .5 MPG. For you guys running older stuff like mine, the less ethanol the better.
- Then you have the thing you can’t change, the weather. When its very cold your engine runs colder, a cooler engine puts more fuel to it.
You can also come in to Precision Autowerks and let us look your car over, we’ll give it a 27 point + check over and if needed, run a short test of all systems and check things like air filters, condition of fluids and so on. Things like spark plugs, fuel filters, transmission fluids, engine oil weight, tire wear and type can all effect the efficiency of your car.
We can work together to get it back where it should be.
