Back to all

Mileage Headed Downhill? (What Causes Bad Fuel Economy?)

April 14, 2026

Name someone you know who enjoys spending a lot of money on gasoline.  Yeah, me neither. That’s because it costs quite a bit to keep fueling your vehicle.  

One way to save money on gas is to get good fuel economy, and most of today’s vehicles are designed to maximize your mileage.  But you might find you’re filling up more frequently than you used to and are wondering what can cause your fuel economy to tumble.  Here are a few possible reasons your mileage has been headed downhill.

A logical spot to start is in your fuel system.  You may have a faulty fuel injector or an old fuel filter clogged with debris.  Another problem might be oxygen sensors, which measure the air coming into your engine and the emissions going out. An illuminated Check Engine light may be a sign of trouble there. Plus, worn-out spark plugs can reduce your fuel economy. 

Under- inflated, or over-inflated, tires can also be a cause. Make sure they’re all at the same pressure.  When’s the last time you changed your engine air filter? One that’s clogged and dirty can rob you of better fuel economy. Another bandit is a dirty, leaky, or clogged exhaust system, so have it checked out by a pro.

Finally, how you drive can also mean wasted gasoline. Jackrabbit starts and speeding use more fuel than smoother acceleration.  And if you often sit there with your engine idling while you’re waiting somewhere, you’re throwing fuel away.  Just turn the ignition off.

Try out some of these fuel-conserving habits and they’ll pay off for you in the long-run.

Mustang Automotive
1600 E State Hwy 152
Mustang, Oklahoma 73064
405-745-4826
www.mustangautomotiveinc.com

Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Mustang Automotive

Power Failure (Broken Power Seat)

March 29, 2026

Know anyone who doesn't love a power seat in an SUV, a car, truck or van? They're convenient and precise in their adjustments. But when they break, oh, what a pain. Not only is it inconvenient, it may leave your seat position too close to the steering wheel or too far from the pedals. This is ... More

Pinch Petroleum Pennies! (Fuel Saving Tips)

March 22, 2026

If you saw a dollar bill on the ground, you'd pick it up, right? Well, whether you find that dollar on the ground or in savings at the gas pump, money is money, and here are some ways to hold on to more of it. Slowing down is the easiest way to save fuel, especially for every speed increase over ... More

The Part You've Never Seen (Flat Tires and Solutions)

March 15, 2026

They say your vehicle has one, but you've never seen it. And you might not even know it if you stumbled on it accidentally. We're talking about the jack, that tool that allows you to lift one corner of the vehicle up so someone can change a flat tire. So you say you'd never try to change a flat ... More