Is it normal for the Verna to consume 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers?
4 Answers
Verna consuming 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers is not normal, it is on the higher side. Engine carbon deposits may lead to higher fuel consumption: During long-term operation of the vehicle, gasoline inevitably produces carbon deposits and sludge during combustion. If these deposits and sludge are not cleaned in time, they can cause an increase in the car's fuel consumption. In this case, it is necessary to clean the engine carbon deposits. Spark plug failure may lead to higher fuel consumption: The role of car spark plugs is to use high voltage to generate sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture. If damaged, the ignition energy will decrease, and the mixture will burn unevenly, leading to slower acceleration and increased fuel consumption. In this case, it is necessary to replace the spark plugs or clean the carbon deposits on them.
My Verna currently consumes around 9.5 liters per 100 kilometers, which I think is within the normal range. The fuel tank of this model isn't particularly large, but higher fuel consumption is normal in stop-and-go city traffic. Especially when using air conditioning in summer or during rush hour traffic jams, it's easy for fuel consumption to exceed 10 liters. However, on highways it drops immediately - last week I achieved a minimum of 7.2 liters on suburban roads. But if you suddenly notice consumption increasing by 1-2 liters more than before, you should check whether tire pressure is insufficient or if the air filter needs replacing. Many people overlook that worn spark plugs in older cars can also increase fuel consumption.
Last year, I bought my wife a used Hyundai Elantra for commuting, a 1.6L automatic. She drives 15 kilometers daily for work, and the displayed fuel consumption hovers around 9-9.5 L/100km. I consulted a mechanic who said this fuel consumption is completely reasonable, considering it's a five-year-old car driven purely in city conditions. He suggested paying attention to refueling habits—avoid waiting until the fuel light comes on, as impurities at the bottom of the tank can clog the fuel lines. Regularly adding a bottle of fuel system cleaner helps remove carbon deposits, and using 5W-30 engine oil is more fuel-efficient. I check her tires every three months, and maintaining tire pressure at 2.4 bar noticeably saves more fuel compared to 2.0 bar.
It is indeed a bit high for a manual transmission Elantra to achieve this fuel consumption. I've been driving the same manual model for three years, with an average combined fuel consumption around 7.8L/100km. Driving habits make a huge difference - for example, if you frequently shift gears above 2,500 RPM or often brake hard and accelerate aggressively. You could try running fixed routes during morning/evening rush hours while using a fuel tracking app for two weeks. If it consistently stays above 10L/100km, I'd recommend checking the oxygen sensor and charcoal canister. These components won't trigger warning lights when faulty but significantly increase fuel consumption. Also, avoid keeping gym equipment or bottled water in the trunk permanently - every 50kg of extra weight increases fuel consumption by 0.5L.
