What Are the Reasons for High Fuel Consumption in a Car?
4 Answers
The main reasons for high fuel consumption in a car are: 1. Poor driving habits of the driver; 2. Wear and tear of engine-related components; 3. Faulty oxygen sensor; 4. Low tire pressure or severe tire wear; 5. Incorrect fuel grade, clogged fuel lines, or improperly gapped spark plugs. Precautions for refueling include: 1. Use automotive gasoline; inappropriate fuel entering the fuel system may damage the fuel system and engine; 2. Do not use gasoline containing methanol or alcohol; 3. Avoid spilling fuel on the paint surface to prevent damage; 4. If the fuel door is frozen and cannot be opened, gently push or tap the fuel door to remove ice and open it; 5. Prevent excessive fuel pressure from causing spraying; 6. Insert the fuel nozzle deep into the fuel tank to avoid overflow or spillage, which could lead to fire and explosion.
Having driven for many years, high fuel consumption is quite common, mainly due to several major reasons. Severe engine carbon deposits reduce combustion efficiency, leading to increased fuel usage; a clogged air filter restricts air intake, forcing the engine to inject more fuel to compensate; insufficient tire pressure increases rolling resistance, wasting gasoline unnecessarily. Driving habits also play a key role—rapid acceleration and braking, or driving too fast on highways, all consume more fuel, especially in stop-and-go city traffic. Poor-quality fuel with impurities affects combustion, or aging parts like faulty oxygen sensors can also be culprits. It's advisable to start with simple steps: check tire pressure monthly to maintain recommended levels, replace filters regularly, and maintain a steady driving rhythm—these can help save a significant amount of money.
My fuel consumption used to be very high, but later I realized it was all due to my driving habits. By controlling the throttle smoothly without sudden acceleration and avoiding aggressive pedal stomping; maintaining a steady speed between 60 to 80 km/h on highways, as fluctuating speeds consume the most fuel; not blasting the AC, especially in hot weather, and rolling down windows on highways for better efficiency; reducing unnecessary weight by clearing out trunk clutter; avoiding frequent short trips with cold starts in city traffic which guzzles more fuel; and utilizing eco-mode features while planning less congested routes—these simple yet effective habit adjustments can reduce fuel consumption by around 10%.
Having repaired many cars, abnormal fuel consumption is mostly due to mechanical failures. Worn spark plugs lead to weak ignition and poor combustion; faulty oxygen sensors cause excessive fuel injection; clogged fuel systems, like dirty fuel injectors, result in poor fuel supply. Carbon buildup in the exhaust system or catalytic converter issues also increase resistance. It's recommended to check spark plugs every 20,000 kilometers, replace filters every 10,000 kilometers, and promptly clean carbon deposits to ensure smooth ignition. Small maintenance yields significant effects—early detection of problems can protect the engine, extend its lifespan, and avoid high fuel consumption.
