Why Has the Fuel Consumption of BMW 3 Series Suddenly Increased?
2 Answers
There are several reasons for increased vehicle fuel consumption, including insufficient tire pressure, increased carbon deposits, and abnormal oxygen sensor. Below are detailed explanations: 1. Insufficient Tire Pressure: Insufficient or low tire pressure increases the friction between the tires and the ground, leading to greater resistance and higher fuel consumption. 2. Increased Carbon Deposits: Poor-quality gasoline can lead to increased carbon deposits. Excessive carbon deposits can roughen the intake pipe walls, affecting the intake efficiency and the quality of the air-fuel mixture, causing a significant rise in fuel consumption. Therefore, gasoline quality should not be overlooked, and it is essential to clean carbon deposits every six months. 3. Abnormal Oxygen Sensor: This ceramic component, located on the engine's exhaust pipe, is used to detect and control the ratio of oxygen to fuel. After prolonged use, 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. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly check the condition of the oxygen sensor, which typically needs replacement at 80,000 to 110,000 kilometers.
As an owner of a BMW 3 Series, I'm really frustrated by the sudden surge in fuel consumption recently. It might be related to my driving habits—lately, I've been in a hurry and pressing the accelerator too hard, often speeding over 120 km/h on highways. Also, with the hot weather, I've been using the air conditioning at full blast, and I've heard the AC compressor can increase fuel consumption by 10% to 20%. I should check the tire pressure too—last week, it was low, making the car struggle to move and reducing fuel efficiency. Additionally, if the fuel cap isn't tightened properly, gasoline can evaporate, which might also cause unexplained increases in fuel consumption. I think driving gently and regularly checking these small details can save a lot on fuel costs. If the issue persists, I'll need to inspect the throttle body or fuel injectors—if these parts are heavily carbon-fouled, fuel consumption can spike.
