Reasons why cars consume fuel

Everyone has their own way of using their car. However, not everyone has enough knowledge to take care of their car properly, leading to one fine day realizing that the car consumes more gas than usual. So what is the reason why the car suddenly consumes more fuel than usual?

Driving or commuting habits during traffic jams

The first cause that can be mentioned is the habit of driving or moving right at the time of traffic jam. When driving, sudden acceleration and deceleration or heavy loads are inevitable, especially in densely populated areas, cities... This also causes significant fuel loss. To improve, instead of accelerating and decelerating quickly, the driver should accelerate and decelerate slowly, not suddenly.

Low tire pressure

When the tire pressure index is low, it will lead to an increase in the contact area between the tire and the road surface, causing greater friction, the vehicle must consume more power to maintain a certain speed. According to research, when tire pressure is at the correct standard level, it will help the vehicle save up to 3% fuel. Under-inflated tires not only consume fuel but also affect the life of the tire and cost maintenance.

But don't let the tire pressure get too high, this not only affects comfort but also increases the possibility of puncture or tire explosion in the summer.

Always keep your tire pressure at a reasonable level. Drivers should consider the standard pressure for their tires, not the pressure printed on the tire because that is the maximum pressure the tire can withstand.

Lubricating oil is not changed regularly.

If the lubricating oil is not changed regularly, the engine will become hotter due to the friction of the parts. Oil not only has a lubricating effect, it also has the ability to cool the parts and prevent rust. Burned oil entering the combustion chamber due to the parts not being sealed will create soot, making the oil thicker. If left for a long time, this soot will become thicker and form many patches. At that time, the lubricating oil will be a burden on the engine because it hinders the operation of other parts.

Oxygen sensor error

A faulty or non-functioning oxygen sensor can cause your car to use 20-25% more fuel than normal. The oxygen sensor can be thought of as a “supervisor” that constantly monitors whether the engine is running and whether the fuel and air are mixed in the correct ratio.

A faulty oxygen sensor not only wastes fuel but also causes the car to shake when running at low speeds or idling. Therefore, make sure your car's oxygen sensor is working properly.

Faulty coolant temperature sensor

The coolant temperature sensor is located next to the engine, in direct contact with the coolant and operates by resistance current. So when this sensor fails, it will report incorrect temperature parameters compared to reality, then the amount of fuel injected into the engine will be incorrect, causing fuel consumption to be higher than normal.

This situation, if it happens for a long time, will waste gas and cost the car owner a lot of fuel.

Dirty engine air filter

The air filter helps filter the outside air entering the engine. After a long time, the air filter accumulates a lot of dirt, which obstructs the amount of air passing through and reduces the amount of air entering the engine. The amount of air entering the combustion chamber is less, which means there will be more dirt due to poor filtration.

The car will quickly heat up and increase soot, clogging the spark plug. The engine may suddenly shut down. Therefore, to ensure the car operates normally and consumes less fuel, you should have it checked periodically and replace the air filter.

Spark plugs are dirty and corroded.

If the spark plug has a problem such as being worn or damaged, it will have difficulty igniting, affecting the combustion process of “oil and gas” in the cylinder. Starting the car at this time will be very difficult.

If gasoline or oil is not burned completely, fuel consumption will increase and the vehicle's power will decrease. Dirty spark plugs will also shorten their life and make the vehicle consume more fuel.