What Causes a Sudden Increase in Fuel Consumption in Summer?
2 Answers
Reasons for a sudden increase in fuel consumption in summer are as follows: Tire Pressure Issues: It is essential to regularly check your tires for wear. Every vehicle comes with a label at the time of manufacture, indicating the recommended tire pressure for both empty and fully loaded conditions. You can choose the appropriate pressure based on your specific situation, as low tire pressure increases friction between the tires and the road, naturally leading to higher fuel consumption. In summer, you can slightly reduce the tire pressure. Additionally, if your tires are severely worn or show signs of slipping, remember to replace them promptly; otherwise, fuel consumption can rise unexpectedly. Air Conditioning Issues: Another factor is driving with all windows open. During summer, due to the hot weather, many people habitually use air conditioning while driving. However, using the AC can also lead to an unnoticed increase in fuel consumption. Some people opt to open all windows to lower the temperature inside the car naturally. But the aerodynamic drag caused by open windows actually consumes more energy than the AC compressor. If you're driving at low speeds in the city, open windows may result in slightly lower fuel consumption. However, at medium to high speeds, accelerating with windows open can cause significantly higher fuel consumption compared to using the AC.
I've also experienced a sudden surge in fuel consumption during summer, mainly due to some everyday factors. Using the air conditioning is the most obvious culprit—when the AC compressor is running, it increases engine load, leading to higher fuel consumption. In hot summer weather, engine efficiency also drops, and with more frequent traffic congestion, you end up burning fuel idling in traffic. Improper AC usage can make things worse, such as running it in external circulation mode for too long, which consumes more fuel than internal circulation. Tire pressure fluctuates more in hot weather, and if it's too low, rolling resistance increases, indirectly pushing up fuel consumption. Fuel evaporation rates rise in high temperatures, and older cars might develop minor leaks. I recommend checking tire pressure regularly, cleaning the AC filter periodically, and planning routes to avoid traffic jams on long trips. Also, developing good habits like ventilating the car before turning on the AC can save a lot of fuel. These small adjustments have helped me reduce fuel consumption by about 10% annually—doing the math, it's quite cost-effective.
