10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy
October 23, 2025
Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldn’t you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better:
• Not enough air in your tires. Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more resistance to rolling. Keep them inflated properly, plus ask us about more fuel-efficient tires.
• Faulty oxygen sensor. A faulty or dirty oxygen sensor can cause your engine to burn too rich a mixture of air and fuel. That can also trigger a Check Engine light. Have us check yours.
• Oil age and type. Contaminated or improper viscosities of engine oil can create more resistance in your engine. Have regular oil changes and consider newer high-mileage oils.
• Bad wheel alignment. When your wheels aren’t lined up straight, they have more resistance. Let us check your alignment and straighten things out if necessary.
• Aging ignition system. When’s the last time your spark plugs, spark plug wires and coils were changed? Misfires can rob you of good mileage.
• Dirty fuel injectors. They can be inefficient if they’re not clean. Have us check yours to make sure they’re working as they should.
• Fouled fuel filter. After filtering impurities out of your fuel, the filter may be clogged and affect your engine’s performance.
• Worn out or stuck brakes. This creates drag on the wheels and prevents you from rolling freely down the road. Have us inspect yours to see how yours are.
• Worn piston rings. These form a seal in the cylinder walls so you have top compression. When the seal is sloppy, down goes your fuel pressure and mileage.
• Poor maintenance. If you don’t keep your engine’s systems running efficiently, they can nibble away at your fuel economy.
Let us help you keep your eye on each one of these so you aren’t wasting money and gas.
Auto Lab Troy
2790 West Maple Rd.
Troy, Michigan 48084
(248) 643-7690
Need Service?
More articles from Auto Lab Troy

Don?t Be Hosed (Radiator Hose Replacement)
January 18, 2026
If you are like most drivers, you dont worry too much about what shape your radiator hoses are in. But they are a vital part of your coolant system, helping carry engine coolant from the hot engine to where it is cooled off in the radiator. When the cooling system has a problem, you will likel... More

Smooth Operator (Shock Absorbers)
January 11, 2026
When you are comfortably headed down the road, you may not realize how many of the imperfections in the driving surface are being smoothed out, so you hardly feel most of them. You can thank your shock absorbers for a lot of that comfort, and its important to make sure you keep your shocks in go... More

What?s That Yellow Squiggly Line Anyway? (What Warning Lights Mean)
January 4, 2026
You may have noticed when you start your vehicle, youll see several symbols light up on the dash. Theyre different colors and shapes, and sometimes its hard to figure out what each of those symbols mean. They are warning lights and symbolize something in your vehicle is sending you a message. I... More
