Reasons why old cars consume a lot of gas
Cars used for a long time without regular maintenance or servicing are prone to wear and tear, damage, poor performance, and consume more gas.
Dirty or clogged oxygen sensor and air filter
Oxygen sensors and air filters, if not cleaned regularly, will reduce fuel efficiency by up to 20%. Therefore, they need to be checked and replaced on time to ensure the correct air-fuel mixture ratio.
Out of coolant
When driving, you need to regularly check the coolant temperature sensor. If the temperature is 85-90 degrees Celsius, the sensor is still working properly. On the contrary, if the result deviates from the above threshold, the sensor is likely to be damaged and needs to be checked and repaired as soon as possible.
When the coolant runs out, the parts will heat up beyond the allowable temperature, causing many harmful effects, including consuming more fuel. Make sure the coolant level in the auxiliary tank is always between the “Full” and “Low” positions when the engine is cold.
Low tire pressure, tire wear, damage
This is one of the leading causes of fuel consumption in cars, because the habit of driving with under-inflated tires is very common. Driving with under-inflated tires will cause the tire to wear on both sides, increasing resistance and consuming more fuel. If tire pressure is below standard by about 3PSI, the car will consume about 1-2% more fuel.
In addition, aging tires are also one of the reasons why cars consume more gas. Normally, tires have a lifespan of 3-5 years under normal operating conditions or 7-10 years if the car is used less.
Old spark plugs and reduced spark performance
Worn spark plugs reduce sparking ability, resulting in inefficient fuel consumption. All spark plugs should be replaced to ensure consistent performance.
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.
If you leave your car for too long without changing the engine oil, it will consume much more fuel than normal. Forgetting to change the oil for a long time will make the oil's lubricating ability ineffective, the friction generated when the engine is running is greater, the engine is hotter and consumes more fuel.
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 a long time... are also reasons why cars consume a lot of gas.
Brake lock or handbrake jam
A stuck brake lever 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.