What Are the Reasons for High Fuel Consumption?

[McElias]

High fuel consumption can be attributed to the following reasons: 1. Poor fuel quality: The quality of fuel directly affects fuel consumption. Inferior fuel with too many impurities can clog the fuel system. A clogged fuel system leads to an incorrect air-fuel ratio, resulting in a rich mixture where fuel is not fully burned before being expelled, thereby increasing fuel consumption. 2. Faulty oxygen sensor: The oxygen sensor primarily monitors the air-fuel ratio in the engine. If it malfunctions, the engine's air-fuel ratio becomes imbalanced, leading to higher fuel consumption. 3. Poor driving habits: Bad driving habits, such as sudden stops and starts or aggressive acceleration, can also increase fuel consumption.

[Caroline]

I remember when I first started driving, the sudden increase in fuel consumption was really frustrating. It was mainly related to my driving habits—I often accelerated and braked abruptly, especially in city traffic, which was particularly fuel-intensive. Once during maintenance, I found the air filter completely clogged with willow catkins, and the mechanic said this could lead to insufficient air intake and increased fuel consumption. In summer, using the air conditioner directly spikes fuel consumption by 15%, and if the tire pressure is 0.3 bar below the standard value, it can burn an extra half-liter of fuel per 100 kilometers. I used to always keep the car loaded with camping gear and a whole case of mineral water in the back seat—these extra loads are potential fuel consumption killers. Now, I’ve developed the habit of checking tire pressure every month, inspecting the air filter regularly, and keeping only essentials in the trunk, which has made my fuel consumption much more stable.

[LeEthan]

I really hate fuel-guzzling cars, so I've done some research on the causes. Severe engine carbon buildup can lead to decreased combustion efficiency, especially in vehicles frequently used for short trips, and cars using poor-quality fuel are more prone to this. Worn-out spark plugs are another common issue - when spark plugs exceed 40,000 km, the increased electrode gap can raise fuel consumption by 5%-8%. Then there's faulty oxygen sensors that send incorrect air-fuel ratio signals, causing the engine to inject extra fuel. Many people overlook tire pressure issues - underinflated tires are like walking on sand, requiring much more effort. I recommend checking tire pressure every two fuel tank fills, and having mechanics inspect spark plug conditions during oil changes.

[McKira]

Car enthusiasts around me often complain about high fuel consumption, which is actually caused by improper modifications in many cases. I've seen cases where larger rims were installed, and the widened tires significantly increased rolling resistance, leading to an extra 2 liters per 100km in city driving. Cars with ECU tunes for more power but poorly adjusted fuel injection are even worse – stomp on the accelerator and they turn into gas guzzlers. Adding roof racks is another culprit – the changed aerodynamic coefficient on highways makes fuel consumption skyrocket. Older cars modified with straight exhausts actually lose low-end torque efficiency, requiring heavier throttle input to compensate. For meaningful modifications, prioritize lightweight rims and choose spoilers with low-drag designs – don't sacrifice practicality for looks.