How to Troubleshoot Excessive Fuel Consumption

Check your driving style. Motorists who accelerate with unnecessary speed and break hard, will use extra amounts of fuel, as will drivers who speed.

Refer to your vehicle's manual to ensure that you use the correct octane rating for the specific vehicle you are driving.

Check your vehicle's manual to ensure that your tires are correctly inflated. Fit your vehicle with the correct size tire. Check your tires for any excessive wear, which is a common reason for using more gas than necessary.

Examine the spark plugs to make sure that they are not dirty and to check that they are "gapped" correctly.

Ask your auto technician to check that the ignition rotor is operating correctly and that it is not worn. Faulty ignition rotors are a common reason vehicles use excessive fuel, particularly if the distributor is in an advanced operation setting.

Ask your auto technician to check the O2 sensors to make sure that they are operating correctly.

Check underneath your vehicle for any dripping liquids to ensure that there is not a leak in the fuel system. Such a leak will not only cause unnecessary waste of gas, but is potentially dangerous.

Remove the air filter and check that it is not choked with dirt. Dirty and obstructed air filters are also common causes of excessive gas consumption.

Check your vehicle's manual to ensure that you are using the correct grade oil for your type of vehicle and that the oil does not need replacing.

Ask your auto technician to examine your fuel filter and fuel injector. Dirty and clogged fuel filters and injectors contribute to excessive fuel consumption.

Ask your auto technician to have a look at the PCV valve and make sure that it is not malfunctioning.