Why does a car suddenly consume more fuel in winter?
2 Answers
Car consumes more fuel in winter than in summer because: the external temperature is too low in winter, especially in northern regions where the temperature can drop below -20 degrees Celsius. After a cold start, the vehicle takes longer to reach the normal engine operating temperature. Therefore, the engine control unit will instruct the fuel injectors to inject more gasoline into the engine cylinders to achieve this. As a result, vehicles consume more fuel in winter compared to other seasons. The following are the functions of engine oil: 1. Friction reduction: A sufficiently thick oil film separates the surfaces of relatively sliding parts, thereby reducing wear. 2. Sealing: Engine oil can form a seal between the piston rings and pistons, reducing gas leakage and preventing external contaminants from entering. 3. Rust prevention: Lubricating oil can adhere to the surface of parts, preventing contact with water, air, acidic substances, and harmful gases. 4. Cushioning: When the pressure at the engine cylinder port rises sharply, suddenly increasing the load on the pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, and crankshaft bearings, this load is transmitted and lubricated through the bearings, cushioning the impact load. 5. Cleaning: Good engine oil can carry carbon deposits, sludge, and worn metal particles from engine parts back to the oil tank through circulation, flushing away dirt generated on the working surfaces of parts through the flow of lubricating oil.
I've been driving for a while, and it's quite common to see increased fuel consumption in winter. When it's cold, the engine has difficulty starting and requires a longer warm-up period to reach normal operating temperature. During this time, combustion is incomplete and efficiency is low, naturally leading to higher fuel consumption. Tire pressure tends to drop in low temperatures, and if not checked and inflated in time, increased rolling resistance while driving will raise fuel consumption. Using the heater is another major factor—the engine has to work harder to provide heat, increasing the load and burning fuel faster. The battery also performs worse in winter, requiring the engine to use more fuel during startup to recharge it, which raises overall fuel consumption. I make it a habit to regularly check tire pressure and switch to winter-grade engine oil to avoid excessive viscosity and added friction. Avoiding prolonged idling to warm up the engine and instead driving slowly for a few minutes after startup can save a lot of fuel. In short, these small maintenance practices can effectively help control fuel consumption issues.
