Why Is My Car Using More Gas? Five Things to Check

Your usual tank of gas is not lasting as long. Before assuming something expensive has failed, look at what changed: your route, your tire pressures, or how you use the car.

1. Check your tire pressure

Start with the pressure recommended on your vehicle’s tire-information label, usually inside the driver’s door opening. Check the tires when cold—before driving, or after the car has been parked for at least three hours. Use the vehicle label rather than the maximum pressure stamped on the tire.

Underinflated tires create more rolling resistance. Correct pressure helps the car roll efficiently and supports safe tire performance. The tire-pressure warning light is not a substitute for routine checks.

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2. Think about how long your trips are

A few short errands can be harder on fuel economy than one continuous drive. An engine uses fuel less efficiently while it is warming up, so repeated cold starts can change your average even if nothing is broken.

For a Menlo Park driver, a week of school drop-offs and nearby errands can produce a different result from a week of steady commuting. Where practical, combine errands into one trip. Long warm-ups in the driveway also burn fuel without adding miles.

3. Look at traffic and driving habits

Repeated hard acceleration and braking use more fuel. Congestion and extra idling can also lower your average. If your commute recently became slower, compare similar routes and conditions before deciding the vehicle has developed a fault.

Leave enough space to drive smoothly, follow posted speed limits, and avoid unnecessary idling when safely parked. These habits can help without buying anything.

4. Remove cargo you no longer need

Equipment left in the trunk adds weight. A roof-mounted carrier adds aerodynamic drag, particularly at road speeds. If you installed a cargo box for a trip and left it on afterward, that is worth considering before looking for an engine problem.

Remove unused carriers according to their instructions, and clear out unnecessary cargo. Keep your emergency supplies.

5. Review maintenance and any new symptoms

Follow the maintenance schedule and oil specifications for your particular vehicle. A fuel-economy change alongside a warning light or a change in how the car drives deserves attention.

A useful diagnosis starts with information: when the change began, whether the route changed, and whether there are any other symptoms. That is more useful than replacing parts based on a low dashboard MPG reading alone.

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Measure the change before chasing it

If you track fuel economy manually, fill to the pump’s first automatic shutoff without topping off, reset the trip meter, and drive normally. At the next fill, divide the miles traveled by the gallons added. Repeat over several tanks under similar conditions.

For example, 280 miles divided by 10 gallons equals 28 MPG. One tank can be misleading; a pattern is more useful. For plug-in hybrids, also note charging frequency and electric driving, which can change gasoline use substantially.

Need help making sense of a change?

Keep a note of your recent mileage and any symptoms so you can explain the concern clearly. Sharon Heights Automotive’s focus is straightforward: help Menlo Park drivers understand their vehicles and make informed maintenance and repair decisions.

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