Fuel consumption is a normal phenomenon with internal combustion engines in cars because they burn fuel to get the energy to propel a vehicle. However, fuel consumption becomes a concern when you realise that a car is consuming more than it is supposed to.Excessive fuel consumption can be caused by a number of different things. So, There are a lot of problems that can lead to excessive fuel consumption, some of them are serious and some can be easily corrected.

Here is a list of them



1. Malfunctioning engine.

A malfunctioning engine can increase your fuel consumption considerably, most times this are noticeable when your car jerks, or missfires. This is often as a result of foul spark plugs, clogged fuel injectors, bad ignition coils or plug leads(coil wires). Tuning up your engine will resolve this problem on such occasions.

2. Dirty or clogged air filter.

The most ignored of routine maintenance is the change of air filters. You should change your air filter after every two oil changes. A clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption as the vehicle will not have enough air for combustion.

3. A bad MAF sensor:

A faulty Mass Air Fuel sensor can cause high fuel consumption. Its function is to determine the mass flow rate of air entering the combustion chamber and this information is relayed to the ECU, which now regulates the right amount of fuel for combustion. In an event the sensor is bad, the air is unmetered. You will also start noticing black smoke from your exhaust

4. Use of wrong engine oil.

The use of wrong engine oil, especially weightier oil not designed for your car increases your fuel consumption. Some people think the thicker the oil, the better. No it is the more fuel it consumes. Using recommended oil ensures your car performs at the right fuel efficiency. Low oil or late oil changes can also increase fuel consumption, as there is not enough oil for lubrication.

5. Removal of Thermostats and fans connected direct.

If you have been wondering why your car consumes so much fuel, here is the biggest culprit in our climes. Many vehicles have had their thermostat removed and and fan always on. Such vehicles are always running cold and never reaching the optimum running temperature thereby increasing the fuel consumption. On no grounds should you remove your thermostat, if your thermostat is bad, replace it.

6. Using Air Conditioning

The AC is an extra load when switched on. But really, you should decide between comfort and burning less fuel, on occasions that there are not much dust and the weather is cool, you can drive without the AC on, fresh air is good. On the other hand, when on long trips and you are moving above 100km/hr having your glass wind up and your ac on saves fuel, as the drag from air getting in and out of the car is higher and can increase fuel consumption.

7. Sticking Calipers (commonly referred to as binding calipers)

When your calipers are stuck, the engine ensures more effort to move the car. The wheels are supposed to be free, and when the brake is applied, the vehicle is expected to stop. On occasions a calliper is stuck and not freely moving, more fuel his burnt to overcome the restriction. For very bad ones, you can perceive the smell of burnt iron and brake fluid. Servicing the calliper or replacement resolves this.

8. Under inflated or over inflated tyres.

Under inflating your tyres increases the contact surface area on the road, invariably increasing the amount of energy required for movement. Over inflated tyres albeit reduces the contact area, which also reduces the efficiency and designed drag. You will discover rapid wear from the center of the tyres on this occasion. Inflate to the recommended cold tyre pressure. This can be found on the door jamb.

9. Use of wrong tyres

The use of the wrong tyre size, or tyre type can affect your fuel consumption. Using bigger tyres or tyres meant for Light Trucks (LT) on passenger vehicles can increase the fuel consumption of your car. Yes, you like how sturdy and bold those tyres look, you should also like how much they increase your fuel consumption. You can check your door Jamb to know the recommended tyres for your car.

10. Driving style


If you drive aggressively, speed up, and do sudden braking and turn your toyota corolla to a Mercedes-AMG W09 EQ Power+ as with formula 1 racing, this does not just increase your fuel consumption but puts a lot of strain on the powertrain of the vehicle. Also, learning to use your cruise control and overdrive can considerably increase your fuel efficiency.


11. Overloading your car

Carrying too much load, and driving around with needless load in your trunk(booth) or in the car will increase your fuel consumption. Asides your spare tyre, jack, wheel spanner, fire extinguisher, seat caution, and possibly a starter cable. Any other load if not needed should be left out of the car. Overloading, carrying more load than designed increases your fuel consumption.

12. Faulty transmission or using wrong gears in manual cars.



When you have a faulty transmission, most times when it slips and transmission is not responsive, the engine revs more with no resultant equivalent speed. This strains the engine and more fuel is consumed.Same applies to when you drive a manual car and use the wrong gear, every gear has its max limit speed. You need more speed, switch to a higher gear, increasing the rpm does not translate to more speed when a wrong gear is used.

13. Sluggish/bad oxygen sensors


A bad or irresponsive oxygen sensors can increase your fuel consumption, as the values it transmits to the ecu for fuel efficiency are not transmitted or wrong. As such, more fuel is supplied to the injectors leading to higher fuel consumption

14. Clogged Catalytic Converter, exhaust and leaking exhaust.

A clogged converter, blocked exhaust, a leaking exhaust can considerably increase your fuel consumption. Once you notice a leakage in your exhaust, resolve it. Furthermore, a blocked catalytic converter is catastrophic, as this can lead to severe damage of your engine. There are occasions that the catalytic converters are removed when they get blocked, the right thing to do is replace them. An empty catalytic converter pot also increases fuel consumption.

15. Not carrying out Routine Maintenance.

If you carry out routine maintenance, such as oil changes, transmission service, brake system tuning, tyre rotation, etc, you will easily notice when anything goes wrong in the vehicle. And carry out repairs accordingly.

In the event that you've noticed an increase in your fuel consumption, take it to a standard auto shop so they will diagnose and check why, and carry out repairs accordingly.


Have you ever had to deal with a car with high fuel consumption, what was the cause, what did you do to resolve it, share your thoughts.

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Thanks for sharing

AutoSupport:
14.

There are occasions that the catalytic converters are removed when they get blocked, the right thing to do is replace them. [b]An empty catalytic converter pot also increases fuel consumption.

Yimu.

Citation plis.

You no fool your sensors ni? put spacer on your downstream bank 2 02 sensor, nothing like increased fuel consumption

4llerbuntu:



Yimu.

Citation plis.

You no fool your sensors ni? put spacer on your downstream bank 2 02 sensor, nothing like increased fuel consumption

Hnm, Really It will obviously fool the back pressure a catalytic converter also ensures

AutoSupport:


Hnm, Really It will obviously fool the back pressure a catalytic converter also ensures

Lol. E say na back pressure. Shioor.

E be like your own book knowledge mechanic na 1 in town.

Anyway, small time now you go call us Kazeem

Just talk say e new to you, shikena.

Because e nor dey your textbook manual nor mean say e no real.

Back pressure

4llerbuntu:



Lol. E say na back pressure. Shioor.

E be like your own book knowledge mechanic na 1 in town.

Anyway, small time now you go call us Kazeem

Just talk say e new to you, shikena.

Because e nor dey your textbook manual nor mean say e no real.

Back pressure

OK sir

Regards

Thanks. This is helpful

Dirty fuel filter.

AutoSupport:
6. Using Air Conditioning

The AC is an extra load when switched on. But really, you should decide between comfort and burning less fuel, on occasions that there are not much dust and the weather is cool, you can drive without the AC on, fresh air is good. On the other hand, when on long trips and you are moving above 100km/hr having your glass wind up and your ac on saves fuel, as the drag from air getting in and out of the car is higher and can increase fuel consumption.

100km/h ??

Priceyk:
Thanks for sharing

Ok