Is a New Car Fuel-Consuming?

[JaxonRose]

During the break-in period of a new car, it may consume more fuel. Here is some information about fuel consumption: 1. Introduction: Generally refers to the amount of gasoline consumed by a car per 100 kilometers, which is a theoretical indicator of the vehicle. 2. Methods to reduce fuel consumption: The longer the idling time when parked, the greater the fuel consumption, so try to minimize idling time; avoid rapid acceleration, slamming the accelerator, and driving at lower RPMs. 3. Factors affecting fuel consumption: Various working conditions such as acceleration, deceleration, braking, and engine idling, as well as load capacity, temperature, and whether the air conditioning is on, all have an impact.

[Hunter]

When I first got my car, I also thought the fuel consumption was ridiculously high. In the first two months, the dashboard showed over 9L/100km, and I even suspected I had bought a problematic car. Later, a mechanic told me that the piston rings, cylinder walls, and other metal components in a new car's engine are still in the break-in period, so they don't operate as smoothly yet—just like new leather shoes can chafe at first. Additionally, the brake pads aren't fully seated, and there's resistance in the drivetrain. But after the first maintenance service, something magical happened—highway cruising consumption suddenly dropped to 6.5L/100km, and now my city commute stays around 7.8L/100km. My advice: don’t rush to conclusions. Give your car a 500-kilometer adaptation period, and remember to keep tire pressure between 2.3-2.5 bar.

[DeAlexis]

As an automotive tester, I've handled hundreds of new vehicles. Actual test data shows that 90% of new cars consume 10%-15% more fuel than official figures within the first 1,000 kilometers. There are three main reasons: increased mechanical loss during the break-in period of metal friction pairs; overly conservative fuel compensation programming in the ECU; and higher viscosity of factory-fill engine oil affecting lubrication. However, these are all transitional physical phenomena and nothing to worry about. Avoid sudden acceleration and fully loaded hill climbs. After the ECU adapts to driving habits and the first oil change, fuel consumption will normalize.

[DiCorey]

Last year, I helped my son pick up a hybrid car, and the young man kept complaining about the rapid fuel gauge drop. I analyzed the situation for him based on my 20 years of driving experience: The fuel consumption of a new car is particularly affected by road conditions, such as the ongoing subway construction on Binjiang Road where he drives daily. Plus, young people tend to stomp on the accelerator to test performance, and the tire pressure is always kept above 3.0 bar. After teaching him to switch to eco mode following the first maintenance last month and taking the inner ring expressway during morning rush hour, his fuel consumption is now two points lower than mine. A new car is like an athlete needing a warm-up—give it some time to adapt to the rhythm.