Mileage Headed Downhill? (What Causes Bad Fuel Economy?)
October 12, 2025
Name someone you know who enjoys spending a lot of money on gasoline. Yeah, me neither. That’s because it costs quite a bit to keep fueling your vehicle.
One way to save money on gas is to get good fuel economy, and most of today’s vehicles are designed to maximize your mileage. But you might find you’re filling up more frequently than you used to and are wondering what can cause your fuel economy to tumble. Here are a few possible reasons your mileage has been headed downhill.
A logical spot to start is in your fuel system. You may have a faulty fuel injector or an old fuel filter clogged with debris. Another problem might be oxygen sensors, which measure the air coming into your engine and the emissions going out. An illuminated Check Engine light may be a sign of trouble there. Plus, worn-out spark plugs can reduce your fuel economy.
Under- inflated, or over-inflated, tires can also be a cause. Make sure they’re all at the same pressure. When’s the last time you changed your engine air filter? One that’s clogged and dirty can rob you of better fuel economy. Another bandit is a dirty, leaky, or clogged exhaust system, so have it checked out by a pro.
Finally, how you drive can also mean wasted gasoline. Jackrabbit starts and speeding use more fuel than smoother acceleration. And if you often sit there with your engine idling while you’re waiting somewhere, you’re throwing fuel away. Just turn the ignition off.
Try out some of these fuel-conserving habits and they’ll pay off for you in the long-run.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto
Why is My Brake Pedal Hard to Push?
January 11, 2026
When you push on your brake pedal, you should find your vehicle easy to stop. But at some point, you might notice stopping takes much more pressure on the pedal than it used to. When it gets to that point it becomes a safety issue, and you should bring your vehicle in so we can track down whats... More
Steer Clear (Power Steering Pump Replacement)
January 4, 2026
When it comes to ease and precision of steering, todays vehicles are engineering marvels. One of the keys to just how good steering is lies in the refinement of power-assisted steering which we know simply as power steering. At the heart of the system is an electrically or belt-driven power ste... More
Flat Tire? Three?s the Charm (Tire Repair)
December 28, 2025
For most drivers, at some point youre going to have a flat tire. Depending on how it was damaged, it may have to be replaced. But sometimes, a repair will do the trick, as long as the puncture isnt on the sidewall and the hole is smaller than inch/6.35mm in diameter. Here are the three common w... More