If you have made more trips to the gas pump lately, it is time to determine why your fuel economy is decreasing. Gas mileage lowers for a variety of reasons, some of which require auto repairs while others involve simple changes to driving habits. Learn about some of the most common reasons for decreased gas mileage to take better care of your investment.

5 Reasons Why Your Fuel Economy Has Lowered

1. Bad Spark Plugs

Spark plugs provide the literal spark your engine needs to ignite and combust. They typically last about 100,000 miles; however, they start misfiring about 80,000 miles in. This puts extra stress on your engine, causing your car to use more fuel to make up the difference. Since spark plugs decrease fuel economy by up to 30%, visit your local auto repair center to get them replaced.

2. Aggressive Stop & Start Driving

Speeding as well as sudden acceleration on a consistent basis lowers gas mileage by up to 30% on highways and up to 40% in stop-and-start traffic. Get in the habit of maintaining the speed limit to preserve gas and keep yourself safe. Coast as much as possible and avoid busy roads and highways during rush hour whenever you can.

3. Dirty Oil

Dirty motor oil clogged with metal shards and road debris cannot lubricate your engine’s thousands of moving parts properly, causing it to work harder and use more fuel to power your car. Schedule oil changes about every six months or every 7,500 miles in light of factors such as road conditions and driving habits. Also, start checking your oil regularly--if it is brown or black, it needs replacing.

4. Under-Inflated Tires

Tires without enough air make more contact with the road, resulting in premature wear and tear. They also require more fuel to propel your vehicle forward, resulting in decreased gas mileage. Check your tire pressure every month using a gauge tool and refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended pounds per square inch of pressure, or psi. Overinflated tires are also detrimental because they make too little road contact and increase the risk of blowouts.

5. Excessive Weight

Vehicles loaded down with sporting equipment, tools, shoes, and anything else in their trunks and cabs use more fuel to make up for the extra weight and stress. Every 100 extra pounds of weight in your car decreases gas mileage by 2%, so remove anything you do not need in your vehicle.

Discuss these and other reasons for lowered fuel economy, such as bad fuel injectors and oxygen sensors, with the auto repair team at G & J Auto Center in Columbia, MO. Oil changes, wheel alignments, and tire repairs are among the many services this shop offers to keep your vehicle in outstanding condition. Call the auto repair center with more than 20 years of experience today at (573) 474-5819 to schedule service or learn more online.