Gas mileage is defined as the number of miles a vehicle travelled in relation to the number of gallons of gasoline it burned. In terms of the metric system, it is defined as the number of kilometres travelled versus the number of litres of gasoline burned. Gas mileage is determined by an interaction of many different factors, ranging from the vehicle user’s consistently chosen driving speed to the make of the car itself, to the performance of its specific parts. Because of all of these, the gas mileage can be greatly affected. The interaction of these factors are very significant in helping a driver select a brand new car, but all these factors must be checked even more when buying second-hand. Considering used car mileage and its overall performance when buying second-hand vehicles need not be complicated.

There is a notion that the more miles on a car, the better for it to be retired than sold. There is some truth to this notion, however the performance of a used car does not entirely depend on the number of miles or kilometres it travelled in its lifetime. Just like any other device or personal item, vehicles must be maintained properly. Gas mileage gets worse as cars get older because the car parts that work together to maintain its pre-use state are no longer functioning at their best. The interplay of the car parts’ simple aging and the maintenance skills of the owner determine the outcome of a vehicle in the long term. A used car mileage is determined by the factors below:
 
 1.  The general cleanliness of the vehicle. Being a sloppy car owner and failing to have the vehicle cleaned at least once a month definitely affects the overall look of the vehicle but also reflects badly on personal hygiene. Failing to clean a car and its parts regularly can lead to build up of rust and other performance-reducing disturbances.



 2.  Older cars tend to have tires that are more worn out, causing discrepancies in the readings of tire pressures, leading to the consumption of more gasoline. Have the tire pressures checked regularly. Inflating them to a lesser pressure will cause an increase in the rolling resistance of the tire to the road, causing the vehicle to use up more gasoline in order to run.



 3.  Have the oxygen sensor checked. Used car mileage may be
affected by a faulty oxygen sensor. Mileage may be decreased by up to 40%.
Because the combusted oxygen from the gasoline consumption is read as greater by
the faulty sensor, more fuel is dumped into the air fuel mixture causing the
need to fill up on more gasoline.



 4.  Chosen driving speed. It is obvious that the more a driver steps on the pedal, the more gasoline is burned. It is believed that sticking to speeds below or at 65 miles per hour is the most efficient speed to drive with.


5. Check the air filter. A dirty/clogg fiter starves the engine of precious oxygen need to make the car perform properly.


 
 Despite cars being second-hand and being considered as something that will not perform as well as it used to, used car mileage can be improved by proper car maintenance and care. Overall performance depends on the vehicle owner and the interplay of the above stated factors. Depending on how much an individual is dedicated to keeping the car for longer term, cars need not be thrown away or left to rust. When parts for a used car are needed be sure to contact the friendly and knowledgable staff at Meyers Auto Parts.