Gas mileage-What are some common reasons for not getting good gas mileage?

Question

Admittedly, car stuff is not my strong point to say the least, but I do know to get the oil changed regularly and keep the maintenance current. It just seems that I am not getting the mileage that I should be getting on my little Saturn.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

check air pressure on the tires, driving mood affects gas milage, AC affects gas milage, type of driving affects gas milage, the speed in which you drive affects it, alignment of your wheels, also sometimes they like to inflate or exagerate the MPG on your car if you got the numbers off the sticker

get new filters, spark plugs, and clean the injectors

If you are really worried about gas milage and you drive on the interstate just stay behind a semi

Answer 2

Oil Changed lately?
Air filter Checked?
Tires inflated to proper pressure?
Try Fuel Injector cleaner.
Air conditioner helps while moving (reduces drag when windows open. It hurts if sitting in traffic.
Tune up?
You will not get the mileage promised on a sticker. This is calculated on a flat track with no weight load and no traffic Expect to get 30 percent less.

Answer 3

You may not be shifting gears properly, or you are driving in the wrong gear. If you drive with the AC on then the fuel consumption will increase. If it is an old car the engine may need a tune up. Also keep in mind that you will never obtain the gas mileage values that the manufacturer "boasts".

Answer 4

Tune ups/ plugs wires cap and rotors are important. Speeding can reduce gas, air conditioners also do. You may also have a car with high mileage. The motors get tired. They consume more oil and gas then a new car. A standard shift car also uses less gas.

Answer 5

More often than not, ive come to know that under-inflated tires on cars, make the gas mileage poor. I think i heard somewhere that every day almost 7000 gallons of gas is wasted due to poor performance caused by low air in tires! (it was on MSN) So check that air!!.
AC is a factor, but an extrtemely small one. (check out mythbusters. They experimented with that). Also a lot of stop and go traffic can be to blame. unfortunately, until traffic dissappears, we cant fix that one! = )

BTW i OWN an old car, and as the girl claims to know of the motor getting tired in them and gas and yadda yadda....I have NEVER had a problem with mine. No leaks etc. and I do the work myself. (and its got 356,000 miles) original rebuilt. So dont assume until you've owned please. Its hurtful to classic car owners.

Niki

Answer 6

Poor driving habits & low air pressure in your tires are 2 of the biggest contributors of poor economy. Have the fuel system cleaned at least one every 2 years. Thsi will keep the injectors and the fuel rails clean. Be certain to check and change as needed all the filters too.
Good Luck

Answer 7

#1 Read your owner mannal
#2 Keep your car in good shape by reading the maintenance book
#3 Read DC * Answer... Try it for 2 tanks full and you will see!!!
The money you are saving on gas.......
My friends calls me an OLD LADY when , I'm driving.. This Summer Gas will be over $3.00 per. Gal. Friday Oil went up to over $70.00 and when winter comes , home heating oil will go up.........

Answer 8

Ok simple fix. You drive a Saturn which is a GM car. They along with the rest of American manufactures get the least gas mileage.

Answer 9

It depends partly on how you drive. Here in Cali, lots of people like to go 85 or 90 on the freeway...guess what, that burns more fuel than 70 or 75. Also depends on where you live...lots of stop-and-go will burn a lot more fuel than steady highway speeds.

Answer 10

the heavy foot on the gas pedal is the culprit.....the lighter u are on this pedal the better off u will be......dont rev up a lot on each gear and shift smoothly without pushing gas pedal deeply.....u should get better than the mileage u wanted.