What Are the Reasons for Increased Fuel Consumption?
2 Answers
Here are the specific reasons for increased car fuel consumption: 1. Affected by temperature: Fuel consumption fluctuates due to temperature changes. In winter, lower temperatures generally lead to higher fuel consumption. 2. Lack of vehicle maintenance: Dirty engine oil and air filters can also cause increased fuel consumption. Dirty oil leads to poor lubrication, increasing resistance in the engine's moving parts, requiring more energy to overcome the resistance, which raises fuel consumption. 3. Low tire pressure: Insufficient tire pressure increases the contact area between the tires and the road, resulting in greater friction and driving resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption. 4. Excessive carbon buildup: Carbon deposits commonly accumulate in the throttle body, fuel injectors, intake manifold, and piston tops. Excessive carbon buildup in any of these areas can cause incomplete combustion, resulting in increased fuel consumption.
When I first got my driver's license, my car's fuel consumption was consistently high. It took me a while to figure out the problem. Driving habits are key—sudden acceleration and hard braking in traffic jams are particularly fuel-intensive. Once, I calculated that city driving could consume an extra two liters. Low tire pressure also secretly eats up fuel; when the pressure is below standard, rolling resistance increases by 15%. Checking tire pressure weekly with a free gauge can save a lot. Running the AC too hard puts extra load on the engine, and having the fan on full blast can increase fuel consumption by 5%. A trunk full of stuff also burns more fuel—my fuel consumption soared during a move. Dirty air filters should be replaced promptly, as restricted airflow affects combustion efficiency. Now, with smooth driving habits and regular maintenance, my fuel consumption has returned to normal levels.