What are the reasons for a sudden increase in fuel consumption in a car?
3 Answers
Reasons for a sudden increase in fuel consumption in a car: aging spark plugs, frequent rapid acceleration by the driver, and prolonged idling without turning off the engine. Aging spark plugs: Spark plugs are the main component that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. Poor performance or aging of spark plugs will inevitably lead to engine fatigue and increased fuel consumption. Frequent rapid acceleration by the driver: Rapid acceleration while driving causes strong friction between the tires and the ground, accelerating tire wear and increasing fuel consumption. Prolonged idling without turning off the engine: Compared to normal driving, the engine ECU controls a higher fuel injection rate when the car is idling or just started. If the engine is not turned off or frequently left running for long periods, fuel consumption will increase.
My car's fuel consumption has skyrocketed recently. After inspection, I found the tire pressure was too low. The soft tires increased friction with the road surface, making it feel like dragging heavy objects while driving, which consumes extra fuel. Also, the engine oil hadn't been changed for too long and became as thick as paste, making the engine work harder. With severe traffic congestion lately, frequent acceleration and braking caused the fuel gauge to drop rapidly. The spark plugs were also worn out, resulting in weak ignition and incomplete fuel combustion. Additionally, the dirty air filter restricted airflow while the fuel injection remained high, wasting gasoline unnecessarily. Checking these basic items myself solved most of the problems.
Recently, the sudden increase in my car's fuel consumption has been hurting my wallet. Driving habits play a major role, such as frequently stomping on the accelerator and darting off at every red light start, or maintaining speeds over 120 km/h on highways where wind resistance becomes a huge factor. Cargo weight is another issue—my trunk permanently carries a foldable bike and camping gear, equivalent to hauling an extra passenger. Air conditioning has become a necessity, but the refrigeration compressor operation is particularly fuel-intensive. After my last maintenance, I found the engine oil was overfilled by half a liter, increasing crankshaft stirring resistance. Plus, frequent short trips where the engine doesn't even warm up before reaching the destination are the most fuel-inefficient. Developing gentle driving habits is crucial.
