Fuel efficiency is an important requirement of any vehicle you chose to own. The higher the fuel efficiency, the further you can go without needing to fill up the tank. Sometimes bad fuel efficiency is due to the weather or your bad driving habits. Other times it is due to a problem with your Volkswagen. Some of the reasons why your Volkswagen is consuming more fuel than usual and you need to visit a qualified mechanic includes the reasons below.
Bad Engine Oil
Engine oil is a big part of your Volkswagen and can impact the performance of your engine. When you use the right type of oil, and keep it full, the engine will run better. Engines with the right type of oil strain less, making them work less. This results in higher fuel efficiency for your car.
Driving Style
Aggressive driving is going to result in lower fuel mileage. When you drive fast, accelerate too quickly, or make sudden stops, it will affect your fuel efficiency. It is also going to be hard on other parts of the Volkswagen. Learn some of the safer ways to drive, without all of the aggression, to ensure that your car will last a long time.
The Tires
When the tires are under or over inflated, they can potentially change your fuel efficiency. Driving your Volkswagen on tires that are not properly inflated can consume a ton of fuel. For example, when the tires are under-inflated, the surface area of the tire that comes in contact with the road will increase. This can cause the rolling resistance to increase and more fuel to burn to move through that friction.
Problems can occur when your tires are overinflated. This will cause less traction with the road. With less traction, it takes more work for the Volkswagen to stay on the road while you are driving. Research has found that a decrease in tire pressure by only 10 psi is enough to make you use up to 2.5% more fuel.
Misalignment in the Chassis
This issue is an unsafe one to drive on the road with. You should never drive the car when the chassis and the suspension systems are bad. But in addition to being unsafe to be on the road that way, a misalignment in these areas can decrease your gas mileage. Have a licensed mechanic check to see if there is any misalignment in your suspension. Any issues like a bent axle, a bent wheel, suspension that is worn, and broken springs can cause issues that lower gas mileage.
Air Filter That Goes Bad
If you live on county roads or have dusty conditions where you drive, you need to routinely change out the air filter. This will help to keep the vehicle working and may be enough to help increase fuel efficiency. The air filter is a simple part to replace so take some time to visit your mechanic and see whether the air filter is getting too full or not.
Bad Spark Plugs
Your spark plugs could be the reason for bad fuel efficiency. These spark plugs can cause the car to underperform, use up more fuel, and sometimes even 
cause the engine to vibrate. When the spark plugs go out on one of the cylinders, it will cause the rest of them to work harder than they normally do. This will burn through more fuel while also causing more strain on the engine.
Luckily, the spark plugs are an easy thing to have checked during routine maintenance. The right mechanic at our shop can look through your car and determine if the spark plugs are doing fine or if they should be replaced before they ruin your fuel efficiency.
Everyone wants to get the most fuel efficiency when they drive their Volkswagen to work and when running errands. When you notice that the fuel economy is not as good as it once was, this may be a sign that something is wrong with your Volkswagen.
At My Dad’s Automotive, we are happy to have one of our qualified mechanics take a look at your car and see if there are any repairs necessary. We are happy to serve the residents of Aldie, Ashburn, Centreville, Herndon, Reston, and Chantilly, VA. Call us today to set up your appointment. We look forward to seeing you soon.