What Causes Poor Fuel Efficiency?
3 Answers
Below are the reasons for poor fuel efficiency: 1. Purchased gasoline may be adulterated with low-quality fuel, reducing its quality and combustion efficiency after refueling. 2. Gasoline may contain ethanol, which is a high-calorific fuel but has significantly inferior combustion performance compared to pure gasoline. 3. Cold weather affects vehicle performance, as slow engine warm-up leads to a richer air-fuel mixture, and low temperatures of both gasoline and air reduce engine power. Specific methods to identify gasoline quality are as follows: 1. Observe the color of the gasoline: Color is the most obvious indicator of gasoline quality. Dark-colored gasoline is poor, but extremely light color is not necessarily better. Generally, light yellow, transparent or semi-transparent gasoline is considered good. 2. Smell the gasoline: Strong gasoline odor indicates poor quality, often due to excessive sulfur content. Sulfur content is an important standard for judging gasoline quality. 3. Feel the gasoline: Dip your finger in the gasoline and rub it between your fingers. If the gasoline feels excessively oily, its quality is likely poor.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and poor fuel efficiency is often caused by bad driving habits. If you frequently slam on the accelerator and brake abruptly, fuel consumption naturally skyrockets, especially in stop-and-go city traffic. Also, prolonged idling—like running the AC while waiting in the garage—burns fuel for no reason. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, guzzling more fuel. A clogged air filter makes it harder for the engine to breathe, reducing combustion efficiency. Worn-out spark plugs lead to incomplete fuel combustion, wasting gas. Cranking the AC to max in hot weather or excessively warming up the car in winter also adds extra consumption. I recommend developing smooth driving habits: ease onto the accelerator and avoid harsh braking. Check tire pressure monthly to maintain optimal levels, replace the air filter every six months, and avoid prolonged idling—shut off the engine to save money. These small habits add up, saving you a lot on fuel yearly while keeping your car running smoothly.
As a car enthusiast, I believe the issue of poor fuel efficiency should be analyzed from a mechanical perspective. If there are problems with the engine's fuel system, fuel efficiency will drop significantly. Common causes include: worn-out spark plugs leading to weak ignition and incomplete combustion of the air-fuel mixture; clogged air filters resulting in insufficient air intake and the engine working harder while consuming more fuel; faulty oxygen sensors affecting the ECU's ability to adjust fuel injection, leading to wastage; and low tire pressure increasing friction and consuming extra energy. Other factors like abnormal fuel pump pressure or clogged fuel injectors can cause fuel to burn rapidly. Additionally, excessive vehicle load, such as a fully packed trunk, increases resistance and raises fuel consumption. Regular maintenance is key—replacing spark plugs, cleaning filters, and checking sensors; maintaining proper tire pressure; and using a multimeter to test circuits when necessary. This not only saves fuel but also extends the vehicle's lifespan.
