Most people know what is normal for their car when it comes to gas mileage. You may know approximately how many miles per gallon you get, or approximately how long a tank of gas should last with your normal driving conditions. However, if you notice that you are getting fewer miles per gallon or having to fill your tank up more frequently, you may find yourself wondering why this is. Here are a few of the common reasons why you may be getting fewer miles per gallon of gas. 

Your Air Filters Are Dirty

One of the reasons why you may be getting fewer miles per gallon is because your air filters are dirty. Most experts recommend replacing your air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. The frequency in which they need to be replaced varies based on your driving conditions. Those that drive in dirtier environments need to replace theirs more frequently. If your filter is dirty, your engine has to work harder to pull air in and gets less air, which causes you to use more gas, decreasing the miles per gallon your car gets. 

The Air Pressure in Your Tires is Off

Another reason why you may be getting fewer miles per gallon in your car is because the air pressure is off in your tires. Typically, you notice this when your tires have not been inflated in some time and the pressure is low. However, it can also occur if you over inflate your tires. If you are not sure how to properly inflate your tires or what pressure they should be at, a tire shop can help you correctly inflate and rotate your tires, increasing your miles per gallon. 

Your Fuel Injectors Are Dirty or Bad

The last reason why you may be getting fewer miles per gallon is because your fuel injectors are dirty or bad. If the fuel injectors are dirty or bad, they may not be triggering the correct fuel rate to go into the engine, causing the increase in your fuel usage. Both of these problems require your fuel injectors to be replaced to help correct the issue. 

If your car is getting fewer miles per gallon of gas, you should first attempt to change the air filters in your car. If that does not solve the problem, bring your car to a tire shop to have the tires properly inflated. If you are still getting less miles than you normally do, you will want to take your car to a mechanic  to check for other issues, such as dirty or bad fuel injectors. Finding and fixing the problem can help you to maximize the miles per gallon you get and ultimately, help you to save money. 

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