# Shocks/struts and mpg **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** corolla, toyota\ **Created:** [April 9, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662 "2020-04-09T18:02:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/1 "2020-04-09T18:02:32Z")
I had new shocks and struts installed a few weeks ago and yesterday I filled the tank ($1.499/gal.! Woot!) and noticed an uptick in mileage. A quick web search indicated that this can be “a thing” but the explanations were all over the map, including “summer gas.” My mpg has improved and I’m happy but what’s your take? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/2 "2020-04-09T18:12:53Z")
Coincidence with warmer weather, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/3 "2020-04-09T18:20:03Z")
Agree with @texases coincidental. Shocks and struts don’t affect mpgs. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/4 "2020-04-09T18:48:42Z")
Tire pressure a bit higher, due to warmer temps or attention by the mechanic? ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/5 "2020-04-09T19:07:30Z")
And ‘summer gas’ could also be a factor, it has a bit more (about 2%) energy per gallon. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/6 "2020-04-09T19:31:30Z")
Was an alignment done? Getting all the wheels pointed straight and true can improve mileage. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/7 "2020-04-09T20:10:49Z")
Uptick ? What size , small , medium or large ? ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/8 "2020-04-09T20:23:04Z")
The last time I bought gas it was still March, that seems early for “summer gas.” The alignment was checked back in November when I had the tires replaced and deemed okay. Same a month ago when I had them rotated. AFAIK an alignment is required when shock/strut replacement is done so it should be fine now. I’ve kept an eye on pressure and it’s been okay too (average 32 psi cold). Improvement was about 7%, which seems a bit much to be coincidence but maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/9 "2020-04-09T20:38:10Z")
7 % is not even worth thinking about. I have 1 vehicle that I expect 32 mpg most of the time . 7 % would make it 34.3 . That can happen with just a minor change in driving patterns just as it can go the other way, down. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 9:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/10 "2020-04-09T21:17:07Z")
Since my mpg and driving patterns have been consistent for months, I’m a bit curious. Lord knows I’m not complaining. You can ignore changes in your car’s behavior if you wish, I choose otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2020, 9:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/11 "2020-04-09T21:40:50Z")
My family would look at year to year differences more than just seasonal ones. Mileage can vary a little bit depending on the time of year but when it really drops that’s more of a concern. The Prius in the family goes down to about 45mpg in the cold months and then it’s right back to 50-55mpg if not more the rest of the year. Does this every year for the last 10 years of ownership, give or take a couple mpg. ---
**Author:** ![circuitsmith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/circuitsmith/32/40376_2.png) [@circuitsmith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/circuitsmith)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/12 "2020-04-10T00:10:38Z")
> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#): > > AFAIK an alignment is required when shock/strut replacement is done so it should be fine now. Did the same shop do the alignment after strut replacement as the earlier alignments? Not all shops are equally capable and careful. Not all alignment machines are properly calibrated. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/13 "2020-04-10T04:42:03Z")
That is what I was suggesting with my question. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2020, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/shocks-struts-and-mpg/162662/14 "2020-04-10T19:21:44Z")
The shop that sold me my tires concluded that an alignment wasn’t needed. When I went back to have the tires rotated the same shop told me I needed shocks and struts. I went to another shop for a second opinion and had the work done there. It’s possible the first shop missed something and I needed an alignment all along.