Is the Fuel Consumption Display per 100 km Accurate?
3 Answers
The fuel consumption displayed on the car dashboard is relatively accurate, but it can only serve as a reference for vehicle usage. In most cases, the dashboard reading tends to be lower than the actual fuel consumption. There are several reasons why the displayed fuel consumption per 100 km may be inaccurate: Manufacturer's Intent: Consumers are highly sensitive to fuel consumption when purchasing a car, preferring fuel-efficient models to save on maintenance costs. Many buyers rely heavily on the dashboard data. As a result, some automakers deliberately lower the fuel consumption figures displayed on the dashboard. Measurement Inaccuracy: While not all automakers manipulate fuel consumption data, dashboard readings are generally unreliable. Relying solely on vehicle sensors to measure fuel consumption involves too many variables, making it imprecise and only providing an approximate estimate. Normal Vehicle Aging: Given that fuel consumption is inherently difficult to measure accurately, normal vehicle use inevitably leads to carbon buildup, which can further skew fuel consumption calculations.
When I first got the car, I totally trusted the fuel consumption display on the dashboard. I’d stare at it every day and even started driving more gently to save fuel. Later, before a long trip, I made sure to fill up the tank completely. After getting off the highway, I refueled to calculate the actual consumption and found it was 0.8 liters higher than what the display showed. The mechanic said this was normal—the fuel gauge mainly relies on the car’s computer to estimate fuel injection, and factors like upsizing the tires or blasting the AC can throw off the calculations. Now, I just use it as a trend reference. For example, if the numbers spike for several days in a row, it’s time to check the spark plugs.
From twenty years of driving a taxi, I can tell this thing is just a psychological placebo. The error margin is smaller in the first two years of a new car, but once carbon builds up in the throttle, it starts putting on a show. Last week, a passenger insisted the display showed 5.9L when it should be 7L. I pointed out the instant fuel consumption—the numbers were still jumping at a red light. How accurate could that be? If you really want to be precise, track your mileage and fuel refills. Downloading a fuel consumption app on your phone is way better than relying on that.
