I recently purchased a 2003 base Outback wagon with 123,000 miles. It wasn't well maintained and has many issues, but runs okay. It's managed decent gas mileage in the months I've had it but my MPGs have dropped dramatically in the last two weeks. A google search mentioned a possible cause of sudden bad gas mileage being a parking brake that didn't release. Has anyone experienced this? I did use my emergency brake recently (maybe for the second or third time since purchase) and I did release it. The parking brake lever is in the down position, but is it possible the brake itself is still engaged? I have noticed a new feeling of resistance when I'm driving. If so, what needs to be done to fix this? Is there anything else that could cause gas consumption to increase 3-fold in a matter of days? I did hit a big pothole the other day but I don't smell any gas, so I don't think there's an external leak. Thanks in advance