What Are the Reasons for Increasing Car Fuel Consumption?
2 Answers
Reasons for increasing car fuel consumption: engine carbon deposits, spark plug failure, oxygen sensor failure. Engine carbon deposits: Stop-and-go driving conditions in the city can increase carbon deposits, and the habit of idling to warm up the engine also contributes to carbon buildup. Many driving conditions and habits can lead to carbon accumulation. Excessive carbon deposits can affect the throttle's air intake, making the car prone to stalling; carbon deposits can also adhere to the intake tract, reducing intake efficiency and worsening the air-fuel mixture; severe carbon deposits may even occupy cylinder volume, affecting combustion quality and causing knocking. Solution: It is recommended to seek professional maintenance at a 4S shop. Spark plug failure: Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air-fuel mixture in the cylinder. Years of operation can wear them out, leading to insufficient ignition energy and weaker sparks. Combustion in the cylinder happens very quickly, leaving no time for a slow ignition—the quality of the spark at the moment of ignition directly affects combustion quality and completeness. Solution: Replace the spark plugs. Oxygen sensor failure: If the car has reached 120,000 to 150,000 kilometers in mileage, consider replacing the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor is located in the car's exhaust pipe and measures the oxygen content in the exhaust gases, providing feedback to the engine's fuel injection control system. Solution: Replace the oxygen sensor or visit a professional repair shop for maintenance.
Recently I noticed my car's fuel consumption has suddenly increased, which is no small matter. I remember once during a long drive, I accidentally filled up with the wrong gasoline grade, and coupled with severe carbon buildup in the throttle body due to the car's age, the fuel consumption skyrocketed. Later, after cleaning the intake pipe and throttle body, and being mindful not to stomp on the accelerator, the situation improved significantly. Daily driving habits are crucial—frequent hard acceleration and braking can degrade engine performance and cause fuel consumption to spike. Also, don't forget about tire pressure; when it's too low, increased friction can easily add 10% or more to fuel consumption. Additionally, a clogged air filter or worn-out spark plugs can reduce combustion efficiency, so timely replacement is essential. Engine oil shouldn't be neglected either, as incorrect viscosity adds unnecessary strain. These small details can collectively make a substantial impact.
