The Link Between Car Servicing and Fuel Efficiency
The Link Between Car Servicing and Fuel Efficiency
Fuel prices continue to fluctuate, making fuel efficiency a priority for many drivers. While driving habits and road conditions play a role in fuel consumption, one of the biggest factors affecting your MPG (miles per gallon) is how well your car is maintained.
At Andrews Car Centre in Lincoln, we provide comprehensive car servicing to ensure your vehicle runs efficiently and economically. In this guide, we’ll cover:
✅ How regular servicing improves fuel efficiency
✅ Which components impact MPG the most
✅ Common servicing issues that reduce fuel economy
✅ How to maximise your fuel savings through proper maintenance
If your car is using more fuel than usual, it may be time for a service. Here’s why proper maintenance is key to keeping fuel costs low.
1. How Regular Car Servicing Improves Fuel Efficiency
🚗 A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently, reducing the amount of fuel needed for every mile you drive.
🔧 Key ways servicing boosts MPG:
✔️ Keeps the Engine Clean & Running Smoothly – Regular oil and filter changes reduce friction, improving efficiency.
✔️ Ensures Proper Air-Fuel Mixture – Clean fuel injectors and air filters help the engine burn fuel more effectively.
✔️ Reduces Rolling Resistance – Proper tyre inflation and alignment reduce drag, improving fuel economy.
✔️ Prevents Engine Wear & Tear – Replacing worn spark plugs, sensors, and fluids keeps the engine running optimally.
📌 Skipping services means your car works harder to compensate for worn-out components—resulting in higher fuel consumption.
2. The Car Components That Affect Fuel Economy
🚨 Certain parts of your car have a direct impact on fuel efficiency. If they are worn or dirty, you could be wasting fuel.
🔧 Critical Components Affecting MPG:
🔹 Engine Oil & Filters
✔️ Old oil thickens over time, increasing friction and forcing the engine to work harder.
✔️ Dirty oil filters restrict oil flow, reducing lubrication and efficiency.
🔹 Air Filter
✔️ A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, causing an incorrect air-fuel mix.
✔️ Less oxygen = inefficient combustion, leading to higher fuel use.
🔹 Fuel Injectors & Spark Plugs
✔️ Fuel injectors spray fuel into the engine—if they are clogged, they waste fuel instead of burning it efficiently.
✔️ Worn spark plugs cause incomplete combustion, meaning more fuel is needed to produce power.
🔹 Tyres & Wheel Alignment
✔️ Underinflated tyres create more rolling resistance, making the engine work harder to move the car.
✔️ Misaligned wheels increase drag, reducing fuel efficiency by up to 10%.
🔹 Exhaust System & Oxygen Sensors
✔️ A faulty oxygen sensor can send incorrect fuel-air mixture data, making the car burn too much fuel.
✔️ A blocked catalytic converter can restrict exhaust flow, reducing engine performance.
📌 During a full service at Andrews Car Centre, we inspect and replace these components to maximise your car’s efficiency.
3. How Poor Maintenance Reduces Fuel Efficiency
🚗 Ignoring routine servicing leads to several issues that make your car burn more fuel than necessary.
🚨 Common Issues That Lower MPG:
❌ Dirty or Old Engine Oil – Causes increased engine friction and wasted energy.
❌ Clogged Air or Fuel Filters – Reduces airflow and fuel efficiency.
❌ Underinflated or Worn Tyres – Increases rolling resistance.
❌ Misfiring Spark Plugs – Leads to inefficient combustion.
❌ Faulty Sensors – Sends wrong data to the ECU, leading to excessive fuel consumption.
❌ Carbon Build-Up in the Engine – Slows down combustion efficiency.
📌 A poorly maintained car can see fuel consumption rise by 15-25%—costing you hundreds of pounds in wasted fuel every year.
4. How to Maximise Your Fuel Savings Through Servicing
🔧 Servicing your car regularly ensures it runs efficiently—but here are extra maintenance tips to boost fuel economy.
✅ Change Your Engine Oil on Time – Every 6,000 – 12,000 miles depending on driving habits.
✅ Keep Tyres at the Correct Pressure – Check pressures monthly and adjust as needed.
✅ Replace Air & Fuel Filters Regularly – Prevent blockages that reduce efficiency.
✅ Check Your Wheel Alignment – Avoid misalignment that increases resistance.
✅ Get Your Spark Plugs & Ignition System Checked – Ensuring smooth combustion.
✅ Monitor Your Driving Habits – Smooth acceleration and braking can improve MPG by up to 20%.
📌 Following these steps can improve fuel economy by 10-30%—saving you money in the long run.
5. Why Choose Andrews Car Centre for Car Servicing in Lincoln?
At Andrews Car Centre, we offer professional Interim, Full, and Major Services to ensure your car remains fuel-efficient.
✔️ Comprehensive Inspections – Checking all key components affecting fuel economy.
✔️ High-Quality Oil & Filters – Preventing unnecessary friction and wear.
✔️ Tyre Pressure & Wheel Alignment Checks – Reducing rolling resistance for better MPG.
✔️ Fuel Injector & Spark Plug Inspections – Ensuring efficient combustion.
✔️ Transparent Pricing & No Hidden Fees – Quality servicing at fair prices.
🚗 Want to improve your fuel efficiency? Book a service today!
Book Your Car Service at Andrews Car Centre Today!
📞 Call Andrews Car Centre now or book online for expert car servicing in Lincoln.
🚗🔧 Andrews Car Centre – Lincoln’s Trusted Car Servicing Specialists.