Is Your Car Drinking Too Much Gas? Few things are more frustrating than watching your fuel gauge drop quickly. Whether you've noticed a gradual decline in miles per gallon or a sudden change, poor fuel economy is a common complaint among vehicle owners. The good news is that, in most cases, the cause is identifiable and fixable. Simple maintenance oversights and unnoticed driving habits can quietly drain your gas tank. Here is a detailed look at twelve common reasons your car may use more fuel than it should, along with what you can do about each one. 1. Dirty or Worn Spark Plugs Spark plugs ignite the air-fuel mixture in your engine's cylinders. When fouled with carbon deposits or worn from age, they can misfire or fail to ignite the fuel completely. Incomplete combustion means your engine has to work harder and burn more fuel to produce the same power. Most manufacturers recommend replacing spark plugs every 30,000 to 100,000 miles, depending on the type, but if your fuel e...
