Why is the Kia K3 consuming more and more fuel?
3 Answers
The reasons why the Kia K3 is consuming more and more fuel are as follows: 1. The impact of tire width on fuel consumption: When the vehicle leaves the factory, the tires it is equipped with are usually reasonably selected based on factors such as the vehicle's weight and displacement. If the tires are wider, the contact area with the ground is also wider, resulting in greater friction resistance and naturally higher fuel consumption. If the tires are narrower, fuel consumption will also be lower. This can be said to be determined by inherent factors. 2. The impact of toe and camber angles on fuel consumption: If the vehicle's wheel alignment is poor (incorrect toe or camber angles), it will increase the friction between the tires and the ground, not only damaging the tires themselves but also increasing fuel consumption. 3. The impact of tire pressure on fuel consumption: If the tire pressure is insufficient, the contact area of the tires will increase, leading to greater friction. This not only causes wear on the tire shoulders but also increases fuel consumption. Tire pressure should vary depending on the road conditions and temperature. To ensure the car runs fast and well, it is important to adjust the tire pressure under different conditions to avoid excessive fuel consumption.
My Kia K3's fuel consumption has indeed increased quite a bit over the past two years, from 7 liters per 100 kilometers to over 9 now. It's mainly due to driving habits—I often commute through downtown with endless traffic lights, and frequent acceleration burns a lot of fuel. The trunk is always loaded with gym equipment, and the extra weight also increases consumption. Last time during maintenance, the mechanic said carbon buildup was severe, with sludge in the combustion chamber affecting efficiency. Oh, and when the tire pressure was low, fuel consumption spiked—it needs to stay at 2.4-2.5 to be normal. Also, using the wrong engine oil type will definitely raise consumption. I should try commuting via national highways sometime—provincial roads might cut fuel use by 20%.
After driving this car for five or six years, I noticed a gradual increase in fuel consumption, with carbon buildup being a key issue. Last time during the throttle body cleaning, the mechanic mentioned the carbon layer was about three millimeters thick, directly reducing combustion efficiency by approximately 15%. The air filter is also easily overlooked; if not replaced for half a year, insufficient air intake forces the engine to inject more fuel. Oil viscosity is crucial—now that the weather is hot, using 5W-20 is recommended, as thicker oil increases consumption. Recently, I found the ignition coils are severely aged, and weak spark plug firing caused a sudden spike in fuel usage. It's advisable to regularly clean the fuel system, especially for those who frequently take short trips, as this makes the throttle body more prone to gumming up.
