Car Fuel Consumption: Tips To Optimize Mileage

There are many reasons why your car could be burning more fuel than normal. From the wrong tyre pressure to a slipping clutch, a faulty exhaust or burnt-out spark plug—all of these mechanical issues will cause your car to have to work harder, using more fuel to match your usual performance.

Clogged fuel injectors

Fuel injectors spray fuel into the engine and must have a precise spray pattern to function properly. Clogged fuel injectors can prevent the engine from receiving the correct amount of fuel, causing it to burn more fuel than usual.

Routine maintenance can help prevent clogged fuel injectors. Checking the owner's manual for the recommended air filter replacement or cleaning interval can help prevent clogged fuel injectors.

Driving habits can also affect fuel consumption. Driving at lower engine revolutions and making wiser gear changes can help improve fuel economy.

Other mechanical issues can also cause a car to burn more fuel than usual. From the wrong tyre pressure to a slipping clutch, a faulty exhaust or burnt-out spark plug—all of these mechanical issues will cause the car to have to work harder, using more fuel to match the usual performance.

Dirty mass airflow sensor

The mass airflow sensor (MAF) is an auto part that measures the amount of air that flows through your engine. Similar to oxygen sensors, the information it collects helps in calculating the proper air-to-fuel ratio in the engine. A dirty mass airflow sensor might not be able to measure airflow accurately. This can affect the amount of fuel that’s injected into the engine. Aside from poor fuel economy, you might also notice frequent stalling.

The MAF sensor is located in your engine in the air duct. You will find it in the duct between the throttle body and your air filter box. This sensor detects the amount of air flowing into the engine and reports the quantity to your engine control module (ECM). Using this data, the ECM adjusts the amount of air and fuel in the combustion chamber to ensure your engine detonation is efficient at all times.

If the mass airflow sensor is dirty, it won’t be able to detect the correct airflow. Advanced Automotive advises that it will also cause problems if it is going bad. One sign that your vehicle’s MAF is going bad is black exhaust from excess fuel. Too much fuel can wind up in the combustion chamber if the MAF is not sending correct readings to the engine control module.

If your vehicle shows signs of a rough idle, loss of power, or even a “Check Engine” light warning, there’s a good chance your Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor is dirty. These days, most fuel-injected engines are equipped with an MAF sensor; this device measures the volume of air entering the engine. The computer then uses this information to determine how much fuel must be injected into the motor. In most cases, the MAF sensor gets dirty with accumulated debris, usually oil, dust and pollen, that can cause inaccurate sensor readings and negatively affect the engine’s air-to-fuel ratio.

Dirty air filter

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, so there’ll be less oxygen in the fuel mixture. Once this happens, your engine will consume more fuel than required. This is common for older vehicles that can’t detect poor air quality. To prevent this from happening, make sure to check your owner’s manual for the recommended air filter replacement or cleaning interval.

Routine oil change improves engine performance and helps maintain good gas mileage. That’s because clean oil promotes proper lubrication of your engine components. It keeps your engine running smoothly. Old and unchanged oil can thicken in time. Thick oil won’t flow smoothly through your engine.

The mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air that flows through your engine. Similar to oxygen sensors, the information it collects helps in calculating the proper air-to-fuel ratio in the engine. A dirty mass airflow sensor might not be able to measure airflow accurately. This can affect the amount of fuel that’s injected into the engine.

Aside from poor fuel economy, you might also notice frequent stalling. Some prefer to clean this sensor with a cleaning spray. Note, however, that cleaning a MAF sensor is not a good idea. The windings on the electrical portion of the sensor where the air passes through can be so small, so the cleaner won’t be able to clean it.

There are so many reasons why your car could be burning more fuel than normal. From the wrong tyre pressure to a slipping clutch, a faulty exhaust or burnt-out spark plug—all of these mechanical issues will cause your car to have to work harder, using more fuel to match your usual performance.

Mechanical issues

There are many reasons why your car could be burning more fuel than normal. From the wrong tyre pressure to a slipping clutch, a faulty exhaust or burnt-out spark plug—all of these mechanical issues will cause your car to have to work harder, using more fuel to match your usual performance.

Routine oil change improves engine performance and helps maintain good gas mileage. That’s because clean oil promotes proper lubrication of your engine components. It keeps your engine running smoothly. Old and unchanged oil can thicken in time. Thick oil won’t flow smoothly through your engine.

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, so there’ll be less oxygen in the fuel mixture. Once this happens, your engine will consume more fuel than required. This is common for older vehicles that can’t detect poor air quality. To prevent this from happening, make sure to check your owner’s manual for the recommended air filter replacement or cleaning interval.

Your fuel injectors supply fuel to the engine. The spray pattern of these injectors must be precise. Once these injectors get clogged or dirty, they might not be able to spray fuel efficiently when needed.

Your mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air that flows through your engine. Similar to oxygen sensors, the information it collects helps in calculating the proper air-to-fuel ratio in the engine. A dirty mass airflow sensor might not be able to measure airflow accurately. This can affect the amount of fuel that’s injected into the engine.

Driving style

Routine oil changes are important to improve engine performance and maintain good gas mileage. Clean oil promotes proper lubrication of your engine components, keeping your engine running smoothly.

Driving habits can also impact fuel consumption. Driving at higher speeds or accelerating rapidly can cause the engine to work harder, resulting in added fuel consumption.

Avoiding rapid starts and maintaining a steady pace can help reduce fuel consumption. Smooth acceleration and deceleration can also help improve fuel economy.

Regular maintenance and good driving habits can help reduce fuel consumption and improve fuel economy.

Frequently asked questions