If you own a vehicle, then you know the importance of scheduling regular maintenance with a professional auto mechanic. During a regular checkup, your mechanic will inspect the vehicle’s hoses, belts, tires, electronics, engine and more for condition and potential problems. Preventative maintenance is the best way to find and fix things before they get worse. However, the need for European auto repair in Conway, AR is not always obvious. For example, although you’ve noticed that you’re not getting the gas mileage you once did, you might not know why this is happening.
Luckily, an auto repair expert can help by offering thorough inspections, tests and informed diagnoses. Below are the most common reasons for a decrease in gas mileage.
Low or incorrect type of oil
Whether you change your car’s oil yourself or take it to your mechanic for service, you should know what type of oil is going into your vehicle. The oil you choose can significantly impact your fuel economy, or worse, harm your engine. So, if you’ve been using traditional oil, consider trying a synthetic or synthetic blend and see if that increases your vehicle’s performance. Another culprit is a lack of sufficient engine oil. Low oil levels can put strain on your car’s engine and quickly lead to a noticeable decline in gas mileage.
Faulty fuel injectors
Fuel injectors do exactly what their name implies—they send fuel to your engine. However, only gas should be able to get from the injectors to the engine. If the fuel injectors are dirty or leaking, then an inadequate amount of fuel is making it to the engine. Less fuel in the engine will lead to a decline in gas mileage and vehicle performance. Your mechanic can check your fuel injectors and replace them, if needed.
Aggressive driving habits
Your driving habits have a lot to do with your MPG and the overall performance of your vehicle. In fact, experts share that aggressive drivers are more likely to waste gas on a day to day basis, while calm drivers not only maintain or increase their gas mileage, but also encourage safe driving. The top two ways aggressive drivers waste fuel is by accelerating too quickly and revving the engine for whatever reason. Idling for more than a few minutes also wastes gas.
Tire trouble
Poor tire condition can put your safety at risk. With too much or too little air pressure, the rubber can rip apart while you’re driving, but under- or overinflated tires can also have a negative impact on your gas mileage. Improper air pressure in one or more of your tires can make the engine, transmission and differential work harder to maintain vehicle speed. The result is reduced gas mileage. Keep a compact tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment so there’s no excuse to not check the tire pressure every now and again.
Practicing preventative maintenance and being aware of changes in your vehicle’s performance can help make your car last longer. If you need foreign or European auto repair in Conway, AR, don’t hesitate to call Riverdale Automotive!