Reasons why cars 'eat' gas
One of the problems that many car owners worry about is their car consuming too much gas. What is the cause of this phenomenon?
High fuel consumption not only costs the vehicle owner money but also causes the vehicle to deteriorate quickly. Below are some of the reasons that lead to the phenomenon of abnormal fuel consumption.
Low tire pressure
This is one of the leading causes of fuel consumption. According to the operating principle of the engine, when tire pressure drops 1 Psi, the engine will consume 0.3% more fuel. If tire pressure is below standard by about 3 Psi, the car will consume about 1-2% more fuel.
Therefore, when tire pressure is low, the engine must operate at higher efficiency, causing more fuel consumption than normal.
Dirty engine air filter
The function of the engine air filter is to filter the air before it enters the combustion chamber. After a long time of use, the air filter accumulates a lot of dirt, preventing clean air from entering the engine combustion chamber, leading to the car consuming more fuel.
Out of coolant
If the coolant runs out, the parts will overheat, causing many harmful effects, including increased fuel consumption. Therefore, make sure the coolant level in the auxiliary tank is always between the “Full” and “Low” positions when the engine is cold.
According to experts' recommendations, coolant should be changed after the first 160,000km, then changed again after 40,000km.
Faulty oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor is responsible for measuring the amount of intake air and exhaust air. Therefore, if the oxygen sensor is faulty, the vehicle can consume up to 20% more fuel than usual.
Clogged drain
A clogged exhaust system will increase exhaust pressure, thereby increasing fuel consumption. When the exhaust pipe is distorted or kinked due to impact, the pressure difference between the intake and exhaust pipes at idle should be checked. If this difference decreases, the catalytic converter is clogged.
Worn spark plugs
Worn spark plugs cause the ignition process to fail or burn incompletely. As a result, the engine cannot operate or jerks when accelerating. This is one of the reasons why the vehicle consumes more fuel and reduces the life of the spark plug.
Not changing engine oil regularly
Engine oil reduces friction between engine parts. When engine oil is old or of low quality, its lubricating ability is no longer effective, the friction generated when the engine is running is greater, the engine is hotter and consumes more fuel.
Therefore, car owners should change the engine oil regularly and use the right type of engine oil for smoother vehicle operation.
Brake lock or handbrake jam
A stuck or stuck handbrake is also a cause of fuel consumption. A stuck handbrake not only causes the brake pads to wear out quickly, but also generates heat, causing the oil to boil quickly. As a result, fuel consumption also increases.
Driver habits
In addition, bad driver habits of stopping and releasing the brake or accelerating suddenly, using air conditioning frequently, starting the engine when parking, stopping the car for long periods of time... are also reasons why cars waste gas.