Unraveling Fuel Consumption: Why Your Car's Thirst Matters

Faulty engines, poor servicing, faulty parts, engine oil, driving habits, clutch, weather, and fuel quality are all factors that can cause a car to consume more fuel.

Faulty engine

A faulty engine can result from failure to replace spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, oxygen sensors, or engine valves. Worn out and dirty fuel injectors can lead to quick burning of fuel; therefore, high fuel consumption. Replace faulty parts of your engine as soon as possible to avoid bigger damages as well.

Always try to get fuel for your car from a renowned fuel station. For your daily fueling, single out those fuel stations that are known for selling good quality fuel. Bad quality fuel will take longer and will require larger quantities to power the engine. This will also increase the accumulation of waste after the burning of the fuel in the intake valves and injector nozzles.

Delayed and poor servicing of your car can lead to higher fuel consumption. Make sure your mechanic is skilled or take your car to a dealership certified by your car’s manufacturer. Company dealerships usually have the right tools and machinery to take good care of your car. However, they charge more than local vendors. Keep a schedule chart in your car’s dashboard to note down servicing dates. This will help you get your car’s servicing done on time.

Cars consume most fuel at the start of the journey when it is not warmed up and on short trips. Make sure when you are going out, you get done with the maximum amount of your chores.

Spark plugs

Regular maintenance and replacement of spark plugs are essential to ensure that the engine is running efficiently. It is recommended to replace spark plugs every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or as per the manufacturer's recommendations. If you notice any signs of wear and tear, such as missfires or poor engine performance, it may be an indication that the spark plugs need to be replaced.

In addition to spark plugs, other factors that can contribute to high fuel consumption include engine oil viscosity, faulty fuel filters, air filters, oxygen sensors, and engine valves. It is important to address these issues promptly to avoid further damage to the engine and to ensure that the car is running efficiently.

To optimize fuel consumption, it is recommended to use the correct type of engine oil and to regularly service the car at recommended intervals. Additionally, driving habits can also impact fuel consumption. For example, short trips and driving in town can lead to higher fuel consumption compared to highway driving.

Fuel injectors

Worn-out and dirty fuel injectors can lead to quick burning of fuel, which in turn leads to high fuel consumption. Bad quality fuel will take longer and will require larger quantities to power the engine. This will also increase the accumulation of waste after the burning of the fuel in the intake valves and injector nozzles.

Delayed and poor servicing of your car can lead to higher fuel consumption. Make sure your mechanic is skilled or take your car to a dealership certified by your car’s manufacturer. Company dealerships usually have the right tools and machinery to take good care of your car. However, they charge more than local vendors. Keep a schedule chart in your car’s dashboard to note down servicing dates. This will help you get your car’s servicing done on time.

Cars consume most fuel at the start of the journey when it is not warmed up and on short trips. Make sure when you are going out, you get done with the maximum amount of your chores.

Viscosity grade of engine oil is something that you have to keep in mind before buying engine oil for your car. Using the wrong motor oil for your car can lead to greater fuel consumption. This is due to the fact that the pistons and other moveable parts of your engine move less freely. This puts undue stress and pressure on the engine, which results in the engine consuming more fuel than necessary.

If 75% of the time, your vehicle is consuming more fuel than its peers, maybe your driving habits are part of the problem? Indeed. Since it happens to multiple cars. It could be as simple as almost only driving in towns rather than the average between 'in town driving' and highway driving. Or mostly being stuck in traffic jams on a highway.

Driving habits

• Maintain a steady speed: Try to maintain a consistent speed while driving, especially on highways. Avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration, as this can waste fuel. Use cruise control when possible to help maintain a steady speed.
• Avoid aggressive driving: Aggressive driving, such as frequent hard braking and rapid starts, can significantly increase fuel consumption. Try to anticipate traffic flow and plan your driving accordingly to avoid these situations.
• Use the right gear: Shift gears at the appropriate time to optimize engine performance. Generally, shifting gears at the right time can help improve fuel efficiency. Avoid shifting gears too early or too late.
• Plan your trips: Plan your trips in advance to avoid unnecessary driving. Combine multiple trips into one trip to reduce the overall distance driven. This can help save fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.
• Maintain a safe distance: Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you to avoid frequent braking. This can help improve fuel efficiency and reduce the risk of accidents.
• Avoid idling: Idling your car for extended periods can waste fuel. Turn off the engine when stopped for extended periods, and avoid using the air conditioning or radio when the car is idling.
• Use the right motor oil: Using the wrong motor oil for your car can lead to greater fuel consumption. Ensure you use the correct viscosity grade of engine oil recommended by the manufacturer.
• Get regular maintenance: Regular maintenance, including oil changes and tune-ups, can help improve fuel efficiency. Keep a schedule chart in your car’s dashboard to note down servicing dates.
• Check for faulty parts: A faulty engine can result from failure to replace spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, oxygen sensors, or engine valves. Worn out and dirty fuel injectors can lead to quick burning of fuel; therefore, high fuel consumption. Replace faulty parts of your engine as soon as possible to avoid bigger damages as well.

Engine oil

Viscosity grade of engine oil is something that you have to keep in mind before buying engine oil for your car. Using the wrong motor oil for your car can lead to greater fuel consumption. This is due to the fact that the pistons and other moveable parts of your engine move less freely. This puts undue stress and pressure on the engine, which results in the engine consuming more fuel than necessary.

Delayed and poor servicing of your car can lead to higher fuel consumption. Make sure your mechanic is skilled or take your car to a dealership certified by your car’s manufacturer. Company dealerships usually have the right tools and machinery to take good care of your car. However, they charge more than local vendors. Keep a schedule chart in your car’s dashboard to note down servicing dates. This will help you get your car’s servicing done on time.

Cars consume most fuel at the start of the journey when it is not warmed up and on short trips. Make sure when you are going out, you get done with the maximum amount of your chores.

A faulty engine can result from failure to replace spark plugs, fuel filters, air filters, oxygen sensors, or engine valves. Worn out and dirty fuel injectors can lead to quick burning of fuel; therefore, high fuel consumption. Replace faulty parts of your engine as soon as possible to avoid bigger damages as well.

Always try to get fuel for your car from a renowned fuel station. For your daily fueling, single out those fuel stations that are known for selling good quality fuel. Bad quality fuel will take longer and will require larger quantities to power the engine. This will also increase the accumulation of waste after the burning of the fuel in the intake valves and injector nozzles.

Frequently asked questions