Wheel balance and fuel consumption

[Bilaltq]

I know for a fact that my front right tire is out of balance, and I've been really busy so I haven't gotten time to get it done. In this time, I've gotten my tie rods and control arms replaced since they were badly worn. The wheel alignment was also done after the tie rods were replaced.

So, my question is that does a wheel being out of balance affect fuel consumption? My stated fuel consumption is supposed to be 26mpg (I'm in the US) on the highway, and I was able to get 27.5mpg last year. This time around on 100% freeway, I got 22... which is HORRIBLE.

[irfansiddique]

anything that make things difficult for the car would definitely deteriorates the mileage.

[ngen]

balancing does not have a huge effect ... there will definitely be a minor effect but not as much as you've mentioned.

when was the last time you got a tuning done on your car? if its been a while then get it done and you'll get close to the stated consumption.

[iLLDuDe786]

i dont know if you guys will agree with me or no, but my experience tells me that wheel balancing affects mileage to a good, reasonable extent.
i never got my wheels balanced for some reason, and got them done after about 25k km running, afterwards i realized and calculated that the car was consuming much less petrol.

[Bilaltq]

balancing does not have a huge effect ... there will definitely be a minor effect but not as much as you've mentioned.

when was the last time you got a tuning done on your car? if its been a while then get it done and you'll get close to the stated consumption.

I've never gotten the car tuned. What exactly happens when the engine is tuned up?

[Bilaltq]

i dont know if you guys will agree with me or no, but my experience tells me that wheel balancing affects mileage to a good, reasonable extent.
i never got my wheels balanced for some reason, and got them done after about 25k km running, afterwards i realized and calculated that the car was consuming much less petrol.

That's good to know. First thing's first, I'll have to get the wheels balanced then.

[ngen]

I've never gotten the car tuned. What exactly happens when the engine is tuned up?

you get air filter / fuel filter changed.
plugs get changed or re-gapped.
sensors cleaned if its an efi vehicle.
belts checked
battery checked.

[Bilaltq]

you get air filter / fuel filter changed.
plugs get changed or re-gapped.
sensors cleaned if its an efi vehicle.
belts checked
battery checked.

I just replaced and properly gapped all 6 spark plugs less than 2 weeks ago, a new battery was installed I think back in August, I put in a new air filter about a month ago. As far as fuel filter, sensors, and belts go, they haven't been checked at all.

I think I'll start with the wheel balancing. Then see what happens from there.

[ngen]

I just replaced and properly gapped all 6 spark plugs less than 2 weeks ago, a new battery was installed I think back in August, I put in a new air filter about a month ago. As far as fuel filter, sensors, and belts go, they haven't been checked at all.

I think I'll start with the wheel balancing. Then see what happens from there.

k, please post if you see a difference in consumption with the balancing ... will be useful for me and everyone who reads this thread.

good luck.