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280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
Follow Us on:
280 N Hubbards Ln, Louisville, KY 40207
Call Us (502) 896-0305
VW has provided high-quality cars that are perfectly designed for their purpose, from camper vans to family cars and the iconic Beetle, VW has become not only a pop-culture icon but a producer of cars many drivers simply can’t live without.
However, with the cost of living rising day-after-day, increased fuel consumption can make this reliable and much-loved brand of cars expensive to drive, even unaffordable for some. Therefore, ensuring you are on top of your car’s fuel consumption rates is essential, as well as knowing how to address issues if they arise. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the causes for fuel consumption increase and tell you how to lower it to save you money and wear and tear on your VW.
No car owner is completely devoid of bad driving habits, but doing your best to reduce them can help reduce your fuel consumption considerably. Try to remember that what may seem convenient now, such as stomping on the gas to accelerate to get to work faster, will actually cost you money at the pumps. While feeling the wind through your hair while speeding or burning rubber when they light turns green may feel great, so long as it’s not putting anyone in danger, it really will ruin your fuel economy, not to mention the condition of your tires.
Other examples of bad driving habits which can affect your VW’s fuel consumption include driving at speed up steep hills, driving while carrying heavy loads, being heavy on the gas and brake pedals, and regularly getting stuck in traffic.
The quality or condition of your engine oil can be a leading factor as to why you’re experiencing increased fuel consumption. Whilst scoring a bargain is great, low-quality oil is often ill-suited to your VW and will not aid in the smooth running of your vehicle.
The same can be said for oil which is in need of replacement. Contaminants can block crucial parts, forcing your engine to exert more effort and more fuel. You should aim to replace your engine oil every 3000-5000 miles to help ensure your engine’s long-term health.
Has your engine been misfiring lately? If so, your spark plugs may be faulty. Responsible for igniting the air/fuel mixture in your engine, if a spark plug isn’t working correctly, then fuel ignition becomes more difficult, increasing the potential for misfire. This then leads to wasted fuel, which will increase your VW’s fuel consumption. To avoid this, be sure to have your spark plugs checked regularly as part of good maintenance practices.
Returning back to the issue of a correct air/fuel ratio, if your VW’s MAF sensor (Msas AirFlow sensor) is faulty or failing, your vehicle’s fuel consumption will increase exponentially. The MAF sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of air entering the engine. This information helps inform the car’s onboard computer of the correct amount of fuel to provide in response to this. However, if this sensor is not working correctly, the onboard computer is left guessing as to the correct amount of fuel required and will often end up over-providing as it attempts to ensure enough fuel is present for ignition. This, of course, will result in your engine burning through way more fuel that it needs to.
While none of us want to be stuck in a stuffy vehicle, over-using your car’s air conditioning can cause increased fuel consumption, as the engine works over time to provide power to the air conditioning system. So next time you’re faced with a hot summer’s day, try rolling down your windows instead, because after all, air is free.
Woman refueling her small silver car at the gasoline station
No matter what the cost of repair, in the long run, fixing the problems that are causing increased fuel consumption will save you money. If you’re looking to improve your fuel efficiency and you live in the Louisville area of Kentucky or surrounding areas, then head to one of St. Matthews Imports multiple locations. With their Hubbards Lane location specializing in automotive service and repair, your VW will be in safe hands with expert care.
Founded in 1969, the team at St. Matthews have a wealth of experience and with Gold Class I-Car and ASE-Certified technicians on hand. No degree of car trouble is beyond their expert knowledge.
Increased fuel consumption in your Volkswagen is not a good sign for the engine. You should find the reason and get it fixed by a professional in Louisville.