Why does fuel consumption fluctuate and become unstable?

[MacBeau]

The main reason for inaccurate fuel gauge readings is an issue with the fuel level sensor. If it's a new car, fluctuations are quite common. However, this problem isn't limited to new cars; some models that have been used for several years may also experience similar issues. The reasons for increasing fuel consumption are as follows: 1. Temperature effects causing fuel consumption fluctuations: Generally, in winter when temperatures are low, fuel consumption tends to increase, almost comparable to running the air conditioning in summer. This is because lower temperatures cause the engine to dissipate more heat. 2. Lack of regular vehicle maintenance: Dirty engine oil and air filters can also lead to increased fuel consumption. Contaminated oil results in poor lubrication, increasing resistance in the engine's moving parts and requiring more energy to overcome this resistance, thereby raising fuel consumption. 3. Spark plugs needing replacement: Spark plugs are often overlooked. Even if they can still function, worn spark plugs may cause delayed ignition due to insufficient energy, missing the optimal ignition timing.