Does Traffic Jam Consume More Fuel?
3 Answers
Traffic jam consumes more fuel. When idling in traffic, the fuel consumption for every 3 minutes is equivalent to driving 1 kilometer under normal conditions. Based on an average fuel consumption of 8 liters per 100 kilometers, the fuel consumption for every 3 minutes of idling is 0.08 liters. The reasons for higher fuel consumption during traffic jams are as follows: Slow starts and prolonged idling: When stuck in traffic, vehicles remain stationary, and the onboard computer's average fuel consumption increases significantly. Additionally, prolonged idling prevents fuel in the engine from burning completely, leading to carbon buildup. Frequent braking: Frequent braking is essentially equivalent to rapid acceleration because each time the brake is applied, the vehicle's speed decreases. When braking ends and normal driving resumes, the car goes through a process of accelerating from low speed to cruising speed. Therefore, the more frequently the brakes are applied, the more frequent this acceleration becomes. Even if the post-braking acceleration is minimal, the engine still needs to inject additional fuel to provide sufficient power for acceleration, naturally increasing fuel consumption. Frequent lane changes: When driving in congested urban areas, frequent lane changes are often necessary. This requires constant speed changes, acceleration, and braking. The engine remains in an unstable working state, and the extended driving distance causes a significant amount of gasoline to turn into incompletely burned exhaust. Moreover, turning consumes more fuel than driving straight because increased resistance during turns requires the vehicle to expend more energy. Here are some fuel-saving tips while driving: Slow acceleration: Although traffic jams can be frustrating, driving should not be overly aggressive. Avoid flooring the accelerator at startup or abruptly accelerating or braking to keep up with the car ahead. During traffic jams, not only should you accelerate slowly, but you should also brake in advance based on the distance to the car ahead. This not only saves fuel but also ensures safety. Maintain a safe following distance: In traffic jams, the flow of cars usually moves slowly. Following too closely can easily lead to accidents. Therefore, maintain a sufficient safe distance from the car ahead to avoid sudden braking and potential collisions. Additionally, keeping a safe following distance reduces the need for frequent braking, enhancing both safety and fuel efficiency. Turn off the engine during long red lights: For vehicles without an automatic start-stop system, if you encounter a long red light or extended traffic during a jam, turning off the engine can save fuel and reduce emissions.
I often encounter traffic jams while driving, and I can clearly feel a surge in fuel consumption. This is mainly because the engine keeps running at idle, consuming a lot of fuel but barely moving. For example, gasoline cars can consume 1-2 liters of fuel per hour when idling, especially when the air conditioning or heating is on, which makes it even worse. I've noticed that frequent starts and stops also increase fuel consumption because the engine is under heavy load during acceleration. In contrast, when driving at a constant speed on the highway, fuel consumption is much lower. So, I suggest that during traffic jams, try to maintain smooth driving, avoid aggressive acceleration, or simply turn off the engine for a short wait. This not only saves fuel but also reduces environmental pollution. I always pay special attention to this during my daily commute in the city, and every time I check the fuel consumption data after a traffic jam, it shows a noticeable increase of about 10%.
I've been researching car fuel consumption issues, and traffic jams are absolute gas guzzlers. Imagine being stuck at a highway exit, with the car not moving for over ten minutes while the engine idles, burning fuel for nothing. This is related to vehicle design: at low speeds, the engine operates inefficiently with incomplete combustion, leading to extra waste. I once tested that being stuck in traffic for an hour can consume nearly 1/3 more fuel from the tank. It's also financially frustrating, adding up to hundreds more in monthly fuel costs. Worse still, frequent starts and stops accelerate wear on components, increasing future maintenance costs. I suggest everyone develop the habit of turning off non-essential electrical devices like air conditioning during traffic jams. In the long run, choosing hybrid vehicles can significantly alleviate this pain point. After five years of driving, I've deeply realized that traffic jams are the wallet's worst enemy.
