The mileage of a car does not depend only on the quality of petrol or diesel. Traffic, driving style, use of AC and road conditions also play an important role in this. But if your car suddenly starts consuming more petrol or diesel than before, it is not necessarily a major fault. Oftentimes minor issues also reduce mileage.

In such a situation, there are a few things to keep in mind before going to a mechanic right away. A lack of air in the tire, a dirty air filter or a faulty spark plug could be the reason behind it. Let us know such things, which if ignored can weigh heavily on your pocket.

Are the tires low on air?

When car tires are under-inflated, the engine has to use more power to propel the car. Which can directly affect the mileage. Sometimes the steering feels heavy or the car does not move smoothly even after taking the foot off the accelerator.

So, check the air in all four tires first. Keep in mind that tires are cold and inflated to the pressure specified by the company. The maximum pressure written on the side of the tire is not a measure of the true pressure.

A dirty air filter can also be the cause

Engines need air to run properly. The air filter prevents dust and dirt from reaching the engine. But with prolonged use, dirt can build up in it and block the air passage.

Due to this, the engine performance may suffer and the vehicle may feel sluggish when you press the accelerator. If such problems appear with low mileage, check the air filter.

Be sure to check the condition of the spark plugs

A spark plug in a petrol car engine helps burn the fuel. Due to their wear or dirt over time, the engine may not work properly. It can increase the consumption of petrol.

If the car does not run properly after starting, hesitates to accelerate or vibrates in the engine, it is worth getting the spark plugs checked. Information on when to replace these can be found in the car’s service manual.

Mileage also decreases when the brakes are stuck

Sometimes the brake does not fully release even after releasing the brake pedal. In such a situation, there is constant pressure on the wheels of the car and the engine has to work harder to drive the car.

If the car feels heavy, is pulling to one side, or smells burning after driving, check the brakes. An abnormally hot wheel can also be a sign of trouble. It can be dangerous to continue driving in such conditions.

Engine temperature error

It is important that the engine operates at the correct temperature. If the thermostat or coolant temperature sensor is faulty, the engine may take longer to warm up. This can also affect mileage.

If the temperature gauge is reading lower than normal or the cabin heater is taking longer to deliver warm air, check the cooling system. If simple solutions do not solve the problem, the sensor should also be checked.

Short commute and parked car with AC running

Low mileage is not always due to a fault in the car. If you park the car and leave the engine and AC running for a long time, the fuel continues to be wasted even without going anywhere.

Similarly, when traveling short distances frequently, the engine does not get time to reach normal temperature. Frequent braking and pressing the accelerator in heavy traffic also increases consumption. So, if the way you drive or the way you use your vehicle has changed recently, this could be the reason for the mileage drop.

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