Why Does a Car's Fuel Consumption Suddenly Increase?
2 Answers
There are several reasons for increased vehicle fuel consumption: 1. Insufficient tire pressure and tire wear. Low or insufficient tire pressure increases friction between the tires and the ground, leading to greater resistance and higher fuel consumption. Severe tire wear often causes slipping, which also increases fuel consumption. 2. Pay attention to fuel quality and regularly clean carbon deposits. Poor-quality gasoline can lead to more carbon deposits, which roughen the intake pipe walls, affecting the intake efficiency and the quality of the air-fuel mixture, causing a sharp rise in fuel consumption. 3. Regularly check the oxygen sensor. This ceramic component, located on the engine's exhaust pipe, detects and controls the oxygen-to-fuel ratio. Over time, the electronic fuel injection system's computer may fail to receive information about the oxygen concentration in the exhaust pipe, often resulting in a higher concentration of the air-fuel mixture in the engine and increased fuel consumption. 4. Driving habits. Everyone's driving habits differ, and poor driving habits can also lead to higher fuel consumption, such as rapid acceleration or flooring the gas pedal when starting. Therefore, good driving habits are crucial to preventing increased fuel consumption. 5. Driving conditions. Heavy traffic can also cause higher fuel consumption because the engine works harder to overcome ground friction when moving from a standstill, increasing fuel injection and thus fuel consumption. 6. Regularly replace spark plugs. Spark plugs generate high-voltage sparks to ignite the air-fuel mixture. If damaged, their ignition energy decreases, causing uneven combustion of the mixture, slower acceleration, and increased fuel consumption.
My car also experienced a sudden increase in fuel consumption before. Upon careful reflection, I realized it was often due to unconsciously adopting more aggressive driving habits, such as sudden acceleration or braking, which increases engine load and burns more fuel. Additionally, if the air filter in the car gets clogged, the engine can't intake enough air, resulting in an overly rich fuel mixture and a spike in fuel consumption. Low tire pressure is another common issue; insufficient pressure increases rolling resistance, potentially adding an extra tenth of a liter per kilometer. Don't forget to check the fuel system either—carbon buildup in the fuel injectors or a dirty fuel filter can also reduce efficiency. A sudden rise in fuel consumption is definitely not a minor issue. I've found that getting a comprehensive check-up at the maintenance shop early on is crucial to avoid more expensive and troublesome repairs later. Now that my fuel consumption has finally returned to normal, I feel much more relaxed while driving.
