The fuel consumption of cars usually does not change much if the car moves on the same route, carrying equivalent loads and the driver maintains a stable operating habit. Therefore, when the car suddenly consumes significantly more fuel, for example from about 10 liters to 13 liters/100 km, car owners should not just think about adding more gasoline but need to check to find the cause.
According to a technician at the Ninety Eight Auto Repair, Maintenance and Care Center (Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City), unusual gasoline consumption is often a sign that one or more parts on the car are not working in the correct state. If this situation is prolonged, not only will fuel costs increase, but many other details may also be affected.
One of the possible causes is that the fuel supply system operates poorly, such as the fuel filter is blocked or the gasoline pump is degraded, which can cause fuel pressure to be unstable, causing the engine to run out of gas, reduce power and operate inefficiently. On some models, the ECU can adjust the amount of fuel injection to compensate within a certain limit, causing fuel consumption to increase.
In addition, the oxygen sensor is an important detail in helping the ECU adjust the carburetor ratio between air and fuel. When the sensor is stained, worn out or damaged, the signal sent to the ECU will no longer be accurate. This can cause the engine to spray more fuel than necessary, leading to fuel consumption, while increasing emissions and reducing operating efficiency.
Also according to a technician at Ninety Eight Auto, spark plugs are also a part that needs attention. After a long period of use, spark plugs may wear out or stick to soot, making the spark ignition weaker. The fuel burning process therefore does not take place completely, the engine operates more sluggishly, reducing power and consuming more fuel.
If the fuel consumption situation lasts without being handled, the engine may accumulate a lot of soot in the combustion chamber, reducing operating efficiency. At the same time, the exhaust catalyst and oxygen sensor are also at risk of deteriorating faster, leading to increased repair costs.
Especially for vehicles that have been used for many years, if the gasoline pump is completely damaged, the vehicle may suddenly stall during operation, causing unsafety.
To limit this situation, car owners should periodically maintain their cars according to the manufacturer's recommendations, and at the same time check the fuel system, replace fuel filters on schedule, check oxygen sensors, spark plugs and related details when detecting abnormal gasoline consumption.
Early detection and remedy not only helps save fuel costs but also contributes to extending engine life, maintaining stable operation and limiting arising damage.
