Why is the car consuming more and more fuel?

[JoyDella]

Here is an introduction to the reasons why a car consumes more and more fuel: 1. Fuel consumption fluctuations due to temperature influence. Generally, in winter when temperatures are low, fuel consumption increases somewhat, almost comparable to fuel consumption when using air conditioning in summer. This is because low temperatures cause the engine to dissipate more heat. 2. Lack of maintenance over a long period can lead to dirty engine oil and air filters, which also increases fuel consumption. Dirty engine oil results in poor lubrication, increasing resistance in the engine's moving parts and requiring more energy to overcome this resistance, thus raising fuel consumption. 3. It's time to replace the spark plugs. Spark plugs are often overlooked, with some people not replacing them even after over a hundred thousand kilometers. Although spark plugs can still function after their lifespan, insufficient ignition energy can cause delayed ignition, missing the optimal ignition timing. 4. Insufficient tire pressure. Low tire pressure increases the contact area between the tires and the ground, increasing friction and thus driving resistance, leading to higher fuel consumption. 5. Incorrect data from certain sensors, such as the coolant temperature sensor and oxygen sensor. Even if the sensors are not completely damaged, inaccurate data can occur without triggering the fault light, making it difficult to detect without using a computer to check the data stream. 6. Excessive carbon buildup in the vehicle. Carbon deposits can accumulate in the throttle body, fuel injectors, intake manifold, and piston tops. Excessive carbon deposits in any of these areas can lead to incomplete combustion, thereby increasing fuel consumption.

[VanBrody]

There could be many reasons for increasing car fuel consumption, but from my personal experience, it mainly comes down to driving habits and inadequate vehicle maintenance. For example, frequently slamming the accelerator, accelerating too quickly when starting or overtaking, consumes a lot of fuel. In congested areas, idling for long periods keeps the engine running and burning fuel unnecessarily. In terms of maintenance, oil that hasn’t been changed for too long becomes thicker, making the engine run less smoothly. A clogged air filter prevents sufficient air from entering the combustion chamber, leading to incomplete fuel burning. Underinflated tires increase friction due to larger contact surfaces, naturally requiring more fuel. After paying attention to these issues, I developed habits like smooth driving, regular tire pressure checks, and timely filter replacements, and my fuel consumption gradually decreased. Don’t underestimate these small details—their cumulative effect is significant.