For millions of regular drivers car problems that lead to poor gas mileage could be costing them hundreds or thousands of dollars every year. If you notice that you’re trips to the pump are more frequent than they used to be, then your car probably isn’t running at optimal efficiency. That’s the honest truth.
The average American household spends about $3,000 on gas every year, and businesses with a battalion of fleet vehicles spend much more than that. You really want to be getting the best fuel economy you can because you’ll save more in the short term on gas and fix the underlying car problems that are tanking your fuel economy to begin with. It’s a win win for sure.
Easy Stuff First: Underinflated Tires
The first place that you probably think to look is your tire pressure. That’s a smart move because underinflated tires are one of the prime culprits in terms of poor fuel economy…and potentially one of the easiest fixes in terms of car problems.
You should ideally check your tires about once a month since your tires can naturally leak a small amount of air. A tire pressure gauge is also a good investment because they’re super cheap and they’ll let you know that you’re following the manufacturer’s tire pressure level recommendation.
This number (for some cases, around 32-35 pounds per square inch of pressure) can usually be found on your driver’s side doorplate. The maximum tire pressure displayed on the tire itself is just that…a maximum. You might not want to run up against that number too much since your car’s tires can gain a few PSI of pressure simply by being out in the heat.
The last thing that you need is to be stranded on the side of the road on a baking hot day. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Tires that are misaligned can also drag and ruin your fuel economy instead of flowing smoothly and saving you money at the pump.
A vibrating steering wheel could be a sign that your tires are misaligned; if left unaddressed, this issue could quickly wear your tires down. Yet another reason to take your car problems to All Around Auto Repair.
Hidden Gas Guzzlers: Roof Racks and Extra Weight
Believe it or not, that roof rack you rarely use could be costing you at the pump. Extra drag from roof cargo boxes or bike racks can cut fuel economy by as much as 10–15% on the highway. Same goes for carrying around heavy junk in your trunk — every extra 100 pounds can lower your miles per gallon by about 1%. Quick fix? Ditch the clutter and remove roof accessories when you don’t need them. It’s a small tweak with a big payoff for better gas mileage.
Driving Habits That Drain Your Tank
It’s not always the car — sometimes it’s the driver. Aggressive driving (hard acceleration, speeding, sudden braking) can drop fuel efficiency by up to 30% in city driving and 15% on highways. Cruise control and smooth acceleration can literally stretch your gas dollar. In fact, the Department of Energy says driving steadily at 55 mph instead of 70 mph can save you nearly 20% in fuel. That’s real money back in your pocket over time.
Tech Tools That Track Efficiency
2025 cars — even older models with aftermarket gadgets — now let you monitor fuel economy in real time. Apps and onboard systems can track your driving patterns, spot wasteful habits, and even recommend the best time to refuel when gas prices dip in your area. Pairing this data with regular maintenance checks gives you a serious edge in keeping your vehicle running lean and efficient. Think of it as a fitness tracker, but for your car.
Let the Pros Check Under the Hood
Other car problems that can kill your fuel economy are somewhat more insidious and harder to detect. Shoddy or failing sensors and filters are things that the trained car technicians at All Around Auto Repair have diagnosed and repaired literally thousands of times. Routine car problems like this are fixed every day.
A failing oxygen sensor coupled with poor air filters can worsen your gas mileage by as much as one-fifth. Oxygen sensors help to balance the fuel and air composition, and air filters need to be unclogged or replaced to keep your engine running at top-notch performance.
A poor fuel injector or misfiring spark plug can also wreak havoc on your vehicle’s fuel economy. These are car problems that shouldn’t be ignored and can affect your engine’s performance long term.
Bad spark plugs can decrease your fuel economy by a staggering 30 percent, according to the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
As far as car problems go, this one isn’t difficult for the trained mechanics at All Around Auto Repair to diagnose, but it can seriously improve your fuel economy to have fixed!
Car problems that aren’t addressed can lead to serious issues down the road. Something as simple as an oil change can boost your fuel economy by ten percent or more. Why wait to save money at the pump? Contact us for more information.
