Why is a new car particularly fuel-consuming?

[NatalieRose]

Here are the reasons why a new car consumes more fuel: 1. Driver's skill level. Unreasonable gear shifting and excessive braking during driving artificially increase engine power loss. 2. Engine technical condition. (1) Carburetor. (2) Ignition system. (3) Valve train. (4) As the engine operating time increases, wear on cylinders, pistons, and piston rings increases, reducing sealing performance and naturally increasing fuel consumption. Additionally, during maintenance, overlapping of piston ring ports during assembly is also a factor. 3. Lubrication and adjustment of the transmission system. The car operates through high-speed rotation of transmission system components. When lubrication of transmission components is poor or clearance adjustment is improper, transmission resistance increases, resulting in higher fuel consumption.

[Orlando]

As a working professional who just bought a new car, I was initially puzzled by the high fuel consumption. Later, I realized it might be due to driving habits: frequent sudden acceleration and braking, especially in city traffic jams, constantly revving the engine at high speeds, which caused fuel consumption to skyrocket. I started learning to anticipate road conditions, accelerate smoothly, and gradually the fuel consumption decreased. New cars also have a break-in period; during the first few thousand kilometers, the parts experience higher resistance, so slightly elevated fuel consumption is normal. Additionally, check the tire pressure—insufficient pressure increases rolling resistance, which also burns more fuel. Using the air conditioner at lower settings can save a lot too. Overall, adjusting habits gradually helps. My experience is that switching from aggressive driving to smoother driving can add dozens of kilometers per tank, which is quite cost-effective.

[VanPreston]

From a car enthusiast's perspective, it's quite common for new cars to consume more fuel. I recall that during the engine break-in period, the first 5,000 kilometers involve higher friction and energy consumption; after that, as parts smooth out, it stabilizes. Another example is checking the air filter—often overlooked after delivery, a dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing the engine to inject more fuel. Temperature also plays a big role: cold starts mean the engine warms up slowly, using extra fuel; running AC at max cooling puts heavy load on the compressor. I suggest tracking the dashboard's average fuel consumption early on, using an app to compare trends. Post break-in or after adjusting AC settings, fuel efficiency usually improves. Maintaining proper tire pressure is key too—the recommended PSI is on the door frame label, don’t skip checking it.

[TuckerFitz]

As a parent who often takes kids out, I also felt my new car was fuel-consuming at first. Possible reasons include excessive AC usage: in summer, fearing the kids might feel hot, I cranked the AC to max, causing extra engine load. Also, frequent short trips like the few-minute school runs prevent the engine from warming up fully, resulting in inefficient fuel burning. Cold weather has a similar effect – warming up the car in the morning burns fuel quickly. The new car's navigation displays real-time fuel consumption, so high peaks no longer surprise me. Planning trips to reduce short drives and carpooling helps save fuel. Keeping tires properly inflated ensures smoother rolling, and regular maintenance reduces fuel-wasting sensations.