Authentic Spare Parts Blog Why is My Car Consuming so Much Fuel?

Cars form an essential part of many lives. Some use it to drive to work, others for just leisure, and some drive them for a living. So when a car starts consuming too much fuel, it can leave people flustered. When a car uses more fuel than you think it should, it is generally time to check for one of the following things:Speed and mileage: Cars can lose fuel efficiency if driven at speeds exceeding 65mph. Generally, they get the best fuel-mileage at about 2100 RPM's, or 60 mph on a highway. City traffic can serve to hamper fuel economy. Constantly having to use brakes, slow down or speed up depending on where you are can reduces overall fuel efficiency. Driving at over 65 mph can reduce fuel costs by nearly 25%. Driving at speeds higher than 65 mph would increase fuel costs due to overall consumption. Pay close attention to and drive at the posted speed limit as, most often, it will save fuel but also lives.Air conditioner: Using air conditioner can and will reduce fuel efficiency. Regularly using the air conditioner in your car can increase fuel costs reaching from 13% to 21%. Unless absolutely necessary, it is better to bring down the windows and let the air in, or to use the ventilation features in your car's air conditioner.Tire pressure: It is important to keep a regular check on your car's tire pressure. Either having too much or too little air in your tires could not only bring up fuel costs, but also pose a danger to you as well. Tire pressures directly affect a car's performance on the streets and an over or under inflated tire could harm both the car and the driver. Check and make sure that your tires are also balanced and aligned to improve overall driving and fuel consumption.Air filters: Having a dirty or clogged air filter could force your car to spend more fuel to do the same amount of work as before. By constantly having your car's filter's checked, you can not only reduce dirt and grease, but improve your car's overall performance as well.How can I increase my fuel efficiency?Other than taking good care of your car and keeping an eye out for any faults, here are a few tips to increase your fuel efficiency:Kind of fuel: Are you using the best kind of fuel for your car? Fuels can come in either regular or premium, and you do not necessarily need the premium fuel for better performance. By researching what kind of fuel suits the specifications of your car, you could potentially save up to 20 cents per gallon. A neat trick to reduce fuel costs and get better mileage is to not completely fill up your tank or 'top it off'. By filling your tank a bit over half way, the overall weight of the car is reduced and you can get better mileage and a smoother ride.Idling: Idling is when your car's engine is on but the vehicle is not moving. It is not always possible, but reducing idling will help improve fuel efficiency.Technical faults: Getting your car regularly serviced by a qualified mechanic can help eliminate a lot of factors that can contribute to rising fuel expenditure. These include dragging breaks, any issues with the battery, bad fuel injectors and many more factors that could potentially affect your car. It is important to regularly take your car to a service provider for maintenance.New car: If you are considering purchasing a new car, consider cars that are fuel efficient, as this will reduce your overall cost of ownership.