Is a fuel consumption of 13L/100km normal for a new Excelle?
3 Answers
The comprehensive fuel consumption of the Excelle is 5.3-5.9L/100km. There are currently 4 models of the 2021 Excelle on sale: the 1.3T automatic mild hybrid entry model and the 1.3T automatic mild hybrid elite model, both with a comprehensive fuel consumption of 5.3L/100km. The exemplary 1.5L automatic entry model and the exemplary 1.5L automatic elite model have a comprehensive fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km. The above figures are NEDC comprehensive fuel consumption, which is the fuel consumption data measured under the NEDC test procedure. The actual fuel consumption is higher than this value, ranging from 6.9-7.5L/100km. When driving, the following 5 tips can help reduce fuel consumption: When starting the vehicle, use a low gear, gently press the accelerator, and accelerate slowly. Avoid suddenly pressing the accelerator hard, as this will multiply fuel consumption. Light acceleration, light braking, and early braking: When driving, press the accelerator lightly, try to avoid sudden increases in engine speed, and prevent the car from shaking during driving, making the car more fuel-efficient. By estimating road conditions and adopting slow and uniform acceleration or braking, fuel economy can be increased by up to 20%. Maintain proper tire pressure: Keep the tire pressure at the level recommended by the manufacturer. For every 2 PSI below the recommended value (equivalent to about 0.2 in metric units relative to the standard pressure of 2.4), fuel consumption increases by 1%. Regular vehicle maintenance or inspection: Regular oil changes can reduce carbon deposits (carbon deposits can cause uneven ignition, sluggish acceleration, increased fuel consumption, and in severe cases, even cylinder misfires); Regularly check and replace the air filter when dirty, and clean or replace the fuel injectors, spark plugs, and throttle body according to mileage. Close the windows when driving. Driving with the windows open increases wind resistance. The greater the wind resistance, the greater the resistance the car encounters, requiring more power and thus increasing fuel consumption.
When I first got my Buick Excelle, the fuel consumption soared to 12-13 liters per 100km, and I anxiously checked the fuel gauge every day. Later, an experienced mechanic pointed out several mistakes I was making: First, during the break-in period, I was too gentle on the throttle, leading to carbon buildup—actually, occasional high-speed runs can save fuel. Second, my daily commute was only 3 kilometers one way, so the engine barely warmed up before arriving. Third, I didn’t utilize the auto start-stop function, wasting fuel at red lights. After the first maintenance, it stabilized around 8.5 liters. Here’s my hard-earned advice: Don’t drive too gently in the first 3,000 km, take a weekend trip on suburban highways, maintain tire pressure at 2.5 bar, and avoid setting the AC to the coldest level. Remember, a new car is like a young man—it needs to stretch its legs to perform smoothly.
Last week, I helped my cousin inspect her new Excelle. The 1.3T model's dashboard showed 13.2L, which made her jump in shock. I connected an OBD scanner to the car's system and found two key issues: the trip computer displayed an average speed of only 18km/h, indicating daily traffic congestion; additionally, short trips accounted for 87% of the driving, basically just running errands to the nearby supermarket. Under such driving conditions, not just the Excelle, even a hybrid would consume around 10L per 100km. I taught her three proven effective methods: warm up the car for 90 seconds in the morning to allow the oil to fully lubricate, take the ring road highway even if it adds 5km but saves 30% on fuel, and empty the trunk to reduce unnecessary weight. Two weeks later, she reported the consumption had dropped to 10.3L.
