Why Does Car Fuel Consumption Increase in Summer?
2 Answers
The reasons for higher fuel consumption in summer are as follows: 1. Severe engine carbon deposits: Carbon deposits usually form on the fuel injector, spark plug, throttle valve, and combustion chamber. When carbon deposits reach a certain level, issues such as difficulty starting, stalling during neutral coasting or gear shifting, weak acceleration, and unstable idle speed (fluctuating high and low) may occur. 2. Use of inferior fuel: Inferior fuel contains more impurities and cannot be fully burned, so most of the gasoline is expelled from the vehicle. At the same time, a layer of white or reddish-brown substance forms on the surface of the oxygen sensor, leading to misjudgment of exhaust oxygen content measurement and transmission of incorrect data, ultimately resulting in poor control of the fuel injection ratio. 3. Excessive vehicle load: Some owners tend to place unnecessary items in the vehicle, which increases the weight. Others prefer to fill the fuel tank completely, which also adds to the vehicle's weight. The greater the vehicle load, the higher the pressure of the tires on the ground, and the greater the tire friction. 4. Use of high-power electrical devices in the vehicle: Especially at idle speed, since the engine speed is low, the electricity generated by the alternator is insufficient. When high-power electrical devices (such as air conditioning cooling or high-power audio systems) are used in the vehicle, they increase the burden on the engine and battery. Operating the vehicle under high load conditions also leads to increased fuel consumption.
After driving for so many years, I've noticed that fuel consumption spikes every summer, mainly due to frequent air conditioning use. The engine is already running and has to provide additional power for the compressor, increasing the load and naturally consuming more fuel; hot weather also affects engine performance, as lubricating oil thins out, increasing friction and reducing combustion efficiency; plus, the heat waves on the road increase air resistance, making even climbing a slope more fuel-intensive. To cope, I now drive in the early morning or evening to avoid peak heat, park in shaded areas to keep the car cool, regularly check tire pressure and oil condition, and try to maintain a steady speed with fewer sudden brakes—this saves quite a bit on fuel costs!
