What are the reasons for high fuel consumption?
2 Answers
There are several main reasons for high fuel consumption in cars: poor driving techniques, engine usage conditions, and lack of maintenance during vehicle use. Below are specific situations that lead to high fuel consumption: Causes of high fuel consumption in cars: Abnormal tire pressure or switching to oversized tires: Underinflated tires can affect fuel consumption. When tire pressure is too low, the contact area between the tires and the road increases, leading to greater driving resistance, which naturally results in higher fuel consumption. Long idling without turning off the engine or frequent ignition: During prolonged waits when the vehicle doesn't need to move, it's recommended to turn off the engine. Every time the engine starts, the computer-controlled fuel injection volume is higher, so frequent engine starts within a short period will definitely increase the vehicle's fuel consumption. Aggressive acceleration and frequent braking while driving: Unless absolutely necessary, avoid frequent overtaking on the road. Maintaining a steady speed helps reduce fuel consumption. Additionally, maintaining a proper following distance and minimizing unnecessary braking can also save fuel. Driving at low gear with high speed or high gear with low speed: This situation is more common among new drivers. Often, the vehicle's speed is already high, but the driver fails to upshift accordingly, leading to increasingly higher engine RPM and a surge in fuel consumption. Another scenario is driving at very low speeds while staying in a high gear, which is most noticeably characterized by engine and body vibrations, with the risk of stalling at any moment. Fully open windows in summer or using air conditioning in traffic jams: Turning on the air conditioning in summer increases engine load, leading to higher fuel consumption. Poor route planning, driving on congested roads, or frequent lane changes: For this issue, it's recommended to plan the route in advance, check local traffic information and road conditions, and avoid congested sections.
After driving for so many years, I've found that high fuel consumption is primarily due to driving habits. If you frequently slam on the accelerator, accelerate aggressively, and then often brake suddenly, especially in congested urban areas, your car will guzzle fuel like water, which is very wasteful. Vehicle maintenance is also extremely crucial. For example, if the air filter is dirty or clogged, the engine won't breathe smoothly and will consume more fuel. Old or worn-out spark plugs that cause misfires will also increase fuel consumption. Insufficient tire pressure is another major issue—increased rolling resistance naturally leads to higher fuel consumption. Additionally, if components like the oxygen sensor or fuel injectors are faulty, the engine will burn fuel inefficiently. Using the air conditioner too frequently, especially in cooling mode, puts extra load on the engine and increases fuel consumption. I believe the most fuel-efficient approach is to develop a smooth driving style—avoid sudden acceleration and braking—while also regularly checking tire pressure, changing the oil and cleaning the fuel system, replacing the air filter and spark plugs. These small habits and timely maintenance can noticeably reduce fuel consumption.
