What Causes a Sudden Increase in Car Fuel Consumption?
2 Answers
The reasons for a sudden increase in car fuel consumption include engine carbon deposits, spark plug failure, and abnormal tire pressure. Engine Carbon Deposits: During long-term operation of the car, gasoline inevitably produces carbon deposits and sludge during combustion. If these deposits and sludge are not cleaned in time, they can lead to increased car fuel consumption. Therefore, timely cleaning of engine carbon deposits is very important. Spark Plug Failure: The function of a car's spark plug is to generate an electric spark with high voltage to ignite the air-fuel mixture. If damaged, the ignition energy decreases, causing uneven combustion of the mixture, which results in slower acceleration and increased fuel consumption. At this point, it is necessary to promptly check and replace the spark plugs. Abnormal Tire Pressure: Abnormal tire pressure can also affect a car's fuel consumption. When the tire pressure is too low or the tread is severely worn, the contact area between the tire and the road surface increases, leading to greater friction, increased rolling resistance, and naturally higher fuel consumption. Of course, conversely, excessively high tire pressure can have some fuel-saving effects, but this reduces the shock absorption comfort of the ride and increases the risk of tire blowouts.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and a sudden spike in fuel consumption is no small issue. The most common cause is a change in driving habits—like frequently accelerating hard or braking sharply, especially during stop-and-go city traffic. Low tire pressure also increases rolling resistance, dragging down fuel efficiency. Then there are vehicle condition issues: a clogged air filter reduces intake efficiency, and worn-out spark plugs lead to poor ignition, both forcing the engine to guzzle more fuel. In winter, engines take longer to warm up, which can also hike fuel consumption. Extra load, like a trunk packed with items or carrying more passengers, doesn’t help either. If checking these doesn’t solve it, the oxygen sensor or fuel pump might be faulty, requiring professional repair. Remember, start simple—check tire pressure and clean the air filter—it could save you money. I always inspect these during every maintenance check.
