Why is the Chevrolet Cavalier's fuel consumption so high?

[SanOscar]

The reasons for the high fuel consumption of the Chevrolet Cavalier are as follows: 1. Tires: Tires are relatively easy to check, so you should first inspect the tires. If the tire pressure is insufficient, fuel consumption will increase. If the tire pressure is normal, then check the wear level of the tires. Severe tire wear can often lead to slipping, which also increases fuel consumption. 2. Engine: If there is a significant buildup of carbon deposits in the engine over a short period, it can also cause high fuel consumption. This situation is likely due to the use of substandard fuel. The solution is to add a certain amount of cleaning agent when refueling. If the effect is not noticeable, it indicates a substantial buildup of carbon deposits in the engine. In this case, it is best to leave it to a 4S shop or repair shop, where technicians can clean the carbon deposits inside the engine.

[McEmmanuel]

I've been driving this Cavalier for two years and found the fuel consumption ridiculously high, nearly 10 liters per 100 kilometers. After careful consideration, I realized it's mainly due to my driving habits and road conditions. During daily rush hours, I'm often stuck in city traffic with frequent starts and stops, keeping the engine running inefficiently. Last week during maintenance at the 4S shop, the mechanic said severe carbon buildup in the throttle body was restricting airflow, naturally causing fuel consumption to soar. Low tire pressure is another hidden culprit - last week's measurement showed only 2.0, and after inflating to 2.5, fuel consumption dropped by 0.5 liters. Keeping the AC on year-round is also a factor, especially during summer traffic jams when the compressor runs at full capacity, increasing fuel consumption by 15%. Now I've learned to anticipate road conditions and avoid sudden braking, finally bringing my fuel consumption down to around 7.5 liters.

[Ariana]

When I first bought the Cruze, the official fuel consumption was 6L/100km, but in reality, it was over 9L/100km. I almost thought I got a fake car. After researching for a long time, I found it was related to the car's design. The 1.0T three-cylinder engine lacks torque at low speeds, so I always have to press the accelerator hard when starting. Moreover, the automatic transmission is tuned conservatively, shifting a bit slow in traffic, often keeping the RPM above 2000. Once on the highway, I tested it with cruise control at 100 km/h, and it only consumed 5.8L. But back in the city, the consumption shot up immediately. Now, I've developed habits like checking traffic before leaving to avoid congested routes, turning off the auto start-stop (which actually consumes more fuel), and regularly clearing out the trunk. Finally, I've managed to keep the fuel consumption under 8L/100km.

[StMaddox]

My Chevrolet Cavalier's fuel consumption in the city has always been high. I only learned from the mechanic that it's directly related to the vehicle's condition. During the last maintenance, we found that the spark plug electrodes were eroded, causing insufficient ignition energy and incomplete fuel combustion. The engine oil hadn't been changed for six months and had turned black, reducing lubrication effectiveness and increasing engine resistance. The air filter was clogged with willow catkins, leading to insufficient air intake and forcing the ECU to inject more fuel. The most surprising issue was the faulty oxygen sensor, which misjudged the air-fuel ratio. Now, I strictly adhere to 5,000-kilometer maintenance intervals, check tire pressure quarterly, and only refuel at reputable gas stations, as poor fuel quality can also inexplicably increase consumption. After addressing these issues, the displayed fuel consumption has finally dropped from 9.2L/100km to 7.3L/100km.

[LeEdward]

The high fuel consumption of the Cavalier is actually closely related to the driving environment. I live in an old urban area, and my workplace is only three kilometers away with eight traffic lights. In winter, the engine doesn't even reach optimal operating temperature by the time I arrive, and cold engines are particularly fuel-thirsty. Summer is even worse—after being parked in an open lot, the car interior can hit 50 degrees Celsius, forcing the AC compressor to run at full load the entire time. Once, I tested driving with windows down instead of AC, but it ended up consuming more fuel due to the dramatic increase in aerodynamic drag. On weekends, when driving my kid to tutoring classes, I often idle the engine while waiting, burning two liters of fuel per hour. Later, I switched to an e-bike for school runs, installed a phone mount to plan routes in advance, and avoided short trips. Now, my fuel consumption has dropped from 10L/100km to 7L/100km—but most importantly, I no longer feel that nagging frustration.