Q: Improving gas mileage - 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport
I need some advice on getting better gas mileage on my car. The AWC has a switch on it, which allows choosing between the 2WD and 4WD. So, I was wondering if choosing the 2WD could provide a better gas mileage. What do you think? Is this true?
The savings in gas, if they exist, would only be between 0 and 5 percent. The only way to know for sure is do a test: drive the car a specified distance, with and without 4WD and compare the results in terms of gallons used. Due to a variety of energy/engineering related considerations, you are not likely to see a meaningful difference. However to be sure, and for your own edification, I do recommend doing the road test with and without. You might consider a 50 mile course as long enough for reliable comparison. It should be tested on fairly open roads as you need to use the same vehicle speeds with and without.
The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our
terms of service
for more details
Get an instant quote for your car
Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing
What others are asking
Drive belts make high-pitched chirping sound
Firstly, I would recommend replacing your serpentine belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement) as it is a regular maintenance item on all vehicles with internal combustion engines that use a belt. The reason for the noise is that over time after the belt has...
Loss of power while driving
Hello! There are a few components that will cause a lack of power. The leading one being that the transmission fluid may need exchanging. However, power loss may also come from a lack of fuel, air, or incorrect ignition timing....
My car is still overheating after I replaced the thermostat
Let's focus in on the fact higher RPMs have an effect on your engine's cooling system. There is only one main component in the cooling system related to engine speed and that is your water pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement). The pump is...
Car idling slowly and losing power
Hello. From what you describe it would appear that your vehicle may be experiencing some sort of serious transmission or engine performance issue. If the transmission fluid hasn't been changed in a long time it may be possible that the...
Do I have to use the exact type of valve stud on my CRV?
Hi there - Honda uses metric nuts/bolts/studs, so any stud with the same metric dimensions will be suitable, regardless of engine manufacturer. Remove one of the remaining good studs for measurement, or simply take one of the good ones in...
My car wouldn't start after being parked in the cold for a few days
It's clear that your battery is dead. If you want to try charging it, you need to put it on a slow charge for 12 hours or more, but I suspect even then it won't do the job. It was...
How do u take the windshield washer reservoir out of a 2010 ford f 250 super duty
Hi there. The process for replacing the windshield washer fluid reservoir is very simple. You might want to review this page to see how we complete this process (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/windshield-washer-reservoir-replacement) or search online for step-by-step procedures for this job. If you...
Problems with my CVT transmission.
Hi there. With the CVT system, there could be multiple internal transmission components or sensors that are causing this type of problem. However, it's also possible that simply flushing the transmission fluid and changing the filter would resolve this problem....
The clutch pedal does not go down, but clutch can still be engaged and disengaged by direct manipulation of the slave cylinder.
Hi Michael. Thanks for sending the question today. This is a tricky one to be honest, as my first inclination would be a faulty master cylinder causing the pedal to stick. If the pedal did not rise, I would suspect...
Related articles
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Ford Escape
CUVs CUVs (Crossover utility vehicles) are becoming more and more popular these days, as consumers are interested in saving money and buying more eco-friendly vehicles but they still have a lot of people and cargo to move around. CUVs like...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Kia Soul
Known Known to a lot of people as “the hamster car” thanks to its funny and catchy TV ad campaign when it first debuted, the 2012 Kia Soul has gained a lot of popularity over the last few years. Some...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Florida in 2012
Florida Florida offers great weather year round, and the fact that snow and ice never factor into the equation means drivers don’t have to focus on the overall vehicle handling as they do in other states. The best selling cars...
Browse other content
Estimates
Maintenance