my car is using up too much gas.?

Question

im spending way too much money on gas. its about $100 bucks a week. let me tell you my daily schedule. girlfriend is off work so we wake up to take her 4 year old son to go to school. but first we have to stop over her sisters house to pick up her kids to drop them off. now its on the way so no big deal. according to mapquest, thats a 20 min , 6 mile drive. considering the fact that its in philadelphia and all the traffic lights, add more minutes to that. then we go back home. then we have to go back out so my girl can take me to work. thats 22 min, 8.82 miles. then she takes car back home. runs her errands. take has to go pick up son from school. then goes back home. then comes back out to pick me up from work. then we go back home. is all this driving what is causing me to use up $100 worth of gas a week.

its a 2006 dodge stratus. bought it in july 06. right now it has 32,000 miles on it

Answer 1

Carpool, get a smaller car, or take public transportation.

Answer 2

I own a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 6 cylinder (not the best gas mileage vehicle on the road), and it is my work vehicle in the city. I do a lot of work related stop and go city driving on a daily basis, and don't even approach your weekly gas bill. You definitely have a problem.

Typically I would expect that the novice (non-mechanic) would be able to evaluate that ... a car just isn't running very good, and be correct in the assumption that something is wrong. I am assuming that your car must be running ok.

Be sure you are not using premium gas, when your car calls for regular. There is no advantage in the higher octane fuel if it is not called for by the auto manufacturer. Using the higher octane will lead to big maintenance problems later, and can reduce the life of your vehicle (not to mention the added expense at the pump).

After getting a tune-up - make sure you have a clean air filter, that your tires are properly inflated (big gas guzzler), and that you don't have drag on the brakes (another gas user), the next thing you might check is your oxygen sensors.

This is something that most overlook. There are usually one to three of these sensors on a vehicle. They are important in fuel injected cars (not sure if yours is fuel injected). These should be replaced over a period of time. They control the air/fuel mixture, which is a very important aspect of fuel efficiency. Even thought the Oxygen Sensors are monitored by the on-board computer, and would definitely give you a Service Engine Soon (Check Engine) light, they may not yet be indicating a problem, and still be causing you fuel efficiency problems.

Beyond this - there are several other sensors that directly affect fuel efficency, most related to proper fuel/air mixture ratios needed to get the best efficiency and engine operaton from your vehicle. All of these other sensors monitored by your vehicles on-board computer would also indicate a problem by displaying the Check Engine Soon or Service Engine Soon light on your dashboard. This idiot light would remain on all the time, as you drive. If this is the case it is time for the vehicle to go to the mechanic.

The bottom line is ... always look at your driving habits. If you are constantly riding the breaks, or breaking often because you follow too closely to vehicles ahead ... your adding up the bucks in fuel loss. The more you use the breaks the more you have to step on the gas ... dollars!

Good luck!

Answer 3

For one...that's at least 8 trips to and from the city that you mentioned (4 back and forth to school and 4 to your work). Try to cut down on that. That is probably where most of your gas is going. combining your trips all into one will save you time, money, and gas. You should always try to get all your stops into as few trips as possible.

Also, get a tune up and an oil change. Inflate your tires to the manufacturer's specifications (not any more!), use the correct octane gas (e.g. dont use 93 when your car takes 87), take out any heavy items from your trunk or backseat that you dont use on a daily basis, and dont accelerate too quickly or speed (i keep the tachometer below three).

Also, what kind of vehicle do you have? A small car or a truck or a gas-guzzling SUV? Are you getting your correct mileage for your vehicle?

Answer 4

Has the fuel comsumption gone up recently or is the car runnign properly?
I just bought a smaller vehicle, cutting down on miles is not an option because almost all of our driving is incorporated in our work commutes, we have already cut back on as much driving as possible.
Look very carefully at each and every drive and try to shorten or combine a few.
If you have already done that and public transportation is not an option you might look at a more fuel efficient vehicle or car pooling.
good luck,

Answer 5

No. There could be some small immeasurable volume of gas used to potential the alternator that makes up for the potential used for the blower motor. in case you weren't dumping warmth into the passenger compartment, the surplus warmth would only be dissipated via the radiator. Jury is out on AC. Ongoing argument for some years. particular, it takes potential to run the compressor that compresses the low rigidity severe temperature gas to larger rigidity this is pumped into the condenser. yet, maximum sane human beings have their domicile windows closed while working the AC. This make the motor vehicle extra aerodynamic and provides much less drag. Older automobiles had compressors that ran each and all the time even while cooling grow to be no longer talked approximately as for. extra modern-day automobiles have compressors that only run while cooling is needed.

Answer 6

What is your driving style like? Accelerate slowly. When you see a stop sign ahead or a red light take your foot off the gas pedal and coast before braking.

Not you but people who take their foot of the gas and go immediately to the brake pedal lack foresight and situational awareness which makes them accidents waiting to happen. Remember take your foot off the gas, coast, then brake. This will also reduce your maintenance costs.

Treat these women as mature adults and have your girlfriend’s sister and your girlfriend pay for gas!
If they are not helping pay for gas then they have no problem with having you drive them all over town

Answer 7

Find another route with fewer traffic lights. A car burns gas whenever the engine is running, even if it is not moving.

Answer 8

try setting the trip meter to determine if it is a result of alot of miles for "running errands" or if your fuel economy has taken a nose dive.
If it is the miles, then talk with your girl/
If it is the fuel economy, give the car a tune-up.

You also don't mention what type of vehicle you have and what the fuel economy of it is supposed to be.

Answer 9

could be engine stuff too... try replacing your spark plugs, wires, and possibly fuel filter change. that will really help out your mileage

Answer 10

omg that was happening to me but i had not noticed that one my hoes what torn and was dropping all my gas...lol... have you checked you car that its in good condition or is the gas expensive over there?