How does fuel consumption behave when engine coolant is boiling?
2 Answers
Fuel consumption will increase when the engine coolant is boiling. Correctly adjust tire inflation pressure: Maintaining proper tire pressure can reduce rolling resistance and lower fuel consumption. Additionally, a slightly higher tire pressure (e.g., +0.2bar above the recommended value) can also save fuel. Moderate use of in-vehicle auxiliary electrical equipment: Using certain electrical devices can significantly increase fuel consumption, such as the air conditioning system's cooling function. Once heating purposes are achieved, seat heaters should be turned off promptly. Similarly, rear window defrosters should be turned off when there's no fogging or icing. Proper gear usage: Match gear selection with appropriate vehicle speeds - avoid high-speed low-gear or low-speed high-gear driving. Shift gears in advance, ensuring the selected gear matches the speed range. Never drive at high speeds in low gears or at low speeds in high gears.
When the engine coolant boils, fuel consumption usually increases significantly. I've driven many cars and encountered similar situations. Once the water temperature rises to the boiling point, the engine overheats and struggles to operate, directly reducing combustion efficiency. The fuel pump has to work harder to supply fuel, but the power output is compromised, wasting gasoline in vain. Driving like this for a long time can increase fuel consumption by 10% to 20%, and it can easily damage internal engine components or even cause cylinder scoring, leading to costly repairs. This mainly stems from cooling system issues, such as a leaking radiator, a non-functioning fan, or a stuck thermostat failing to dissipate heat in time, causing the car to overheat. It is recommended to pull over immediately, turn off the engine, check the coolant level, and seek repairs if necessary. Developing a habit of regular maintenance, such as checking the water temperature and antifreeze level monthly, can help avoid such troubles.
