Car using too much fuel can happen for a number of everyday reasons, such as traffic, driving speed, road conditions, air conditioning, short trips, and carrying extra weight. But a car that is burning more fuel than usual may be in need of some attention. The change may be gradual, at which point you may not notice it until fuel bills go up or you find yourself at the pump more often.
Knowing what to expect in terms of fuel use vs. what is a sign of a larger issue in your vehicle’s health will help drivers avoid some extra expenses. Symptoms like reduced fuel efficiency, constant need to refill, higher cost per kilometer, dashboard alerts, different performance from the engine, low air pressure in tires, and mechanical issues may all be telltale signs.
Signs of a Car Using Too Much Fuel
One of the first things you will notice is when the car’s range drops off with the same amount of fuel. What used to be a full tank for several days may now last but a few hours. This may be due to more traffic or that you are driving differently, but a persistent drop in performance while you are still doing the same thing may be a sign of an issue.
Another indicator is that fuel costs are going up more than we thought. As fuel prices rise, you may see your expenses go up even when the car is running as normal, which is why it is key to track your fuel use as well as what you put in your wallet. Look at the distance you travel and fuel used; that will give you a better picture.
Measure Fuel Consumption
A quick method to determine fuel economy is to fill the tank and reset the trip meter. When you next refill the tank, note the distance traveled and how many liters it takes to refill the tank. Divide the distance by the liters used to run that distance. For example, if you’re traveling 400 km, which requires 40 liters of fuel, that results in a fuel economy of 10 km per liter.
Repeat this over many refueling reports. One atypical report may not be indicative of anything, as traffic, weather, road, and driving conditions may play a role. A steady trend over many tanks is better proof that the vehicle is in fact becoming less efficient.
Fuel Economy Dropping Is a Warning
A little bit of reduced fuel economy may not indicate a mechanical problem at the issue’s root. As it is, you are driving faster than what you do normally, are caught in traffic, are making many short trips, are using the air con more, or are also carrying around more weight in the car; these all lead to higher consumption. Also, these issues are typically short term and should resolve themselves once you get back into your regular routine of driving.
A large drop-off is what we should be concerned about. We may see that the car is still operated in the same way, but it may now require more fuel; this may be a result of an issue within the engine, tires, brakes, fuel system, or engine management components. By comparing present fuel reports to past reports, we may determine if the change is a short-term issue or is a part of a bigger trend.
Frequent Fueling and High Cost Per Kilometer
Fueling up very often is a telltale sign of higher fuel use. If you travel the same routes as before but find yourself at the pump more, compare the distance which you’ve covered between fill-ups. Also, this is a more reliable indicator than the fuel gauge, which doesn’t always drop at the same rate.
It is also a good idea to determine fuel cost per kilometer. You do this by dividing the fuel spent by the distance traveled. If the price of fuel has gone up but the car is still doing the same distance on the same amount of fuel, the car’s efficiency may not have changed. If the vehicle is using more fuel to go the same distance, the increase may require a closer look.
Dashboard Warnings Should Not Be Ignored
Dashboard warning lights are a key indicator when fuel economy drops off. The check engine light may be on because of an issue in the engine, emissions system, sensors, ignition components, or other elements that affect the car’s performance. The light does not point out what the problem is exactly, which is why it is not wise to guess at what is wrong or to replace parts which may not be the issue without proper diagnosis.
A warning light is of greater importance when it appears at the same time as poor fuel economy, rough idling, hesitation, weak acceleration, or abnormal engine performance. A diagnostic scan will put forth the stored fault codes, which in turn gives a tech a break into what the issue may be.
Engine Power Issues May Go Hand in Hand With Poor Fuel Economy
A change in a vehicle’s performance at the same time of increased fuel consumption may occur. You may notice the car is slower, has a delay during acceleration, idles rough, or that you have to use more of the throttle to maintain the same speed. These symptoms also may have many causes which should be looked at in the context of the change in fuel use.
Drivers that see poor fuel economy along with engine performance issues should note if the issues are becoming more common. Airflow, ignition, fuel delivery, sensors, or other engine component issues may be what is affecting performance and efficiency. Drivers can also learn more about fuel economy vs. fuel efficiency to better understand how fuel consumption figures are measured and compared.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Tire pressure is a frequently ignored aspect in fuel economy. Tires that are underinflated increase rolling resistance, which in turn means the engine has to put in more work to get the car moving. Also, if many of your tires are below the recommended pressure, you may notice the issue more during normal daily driving.
Check your tire pressure often against the manufacturer’s put-forth specifications, which are usually posted on a label within the vehicle or in the owner’s manual. If you find that one of your tires is losing pressure over time, don’t just keep adding air. There may be a puncture, issue with the valve, or some other type of leak which will require repair.
Fuel-Related Issues Which May Cause Increase in Use
Several issues with the mechanical components of a car may cause poor fuel economy. In many cases, worn-out spark plugs, clogged air filters, faulty sensors, fuel system defects, and other engine issues may play a role in that. Also, some of these problems may exist even when the car appears to be performing normally.
Issues outside the engine also play a role in fuel use. A stuck brake, off-kilter wheel alignment, high tire resistance, or other issues which create drag can cause the engine to work harder. Telltale signs may include uneven tire wear, the car pulling to a certain side, vibration, odd noises, or excessive heat around a wheel.
Maintenance Can Help Prevent Fuel Waste
Regular maintenance plays a key role in keeping fuel consumption in the normal range. We ask that you follow what the manufacturer recommends and do your scheduled inspections, oil and filter changes, tire checks, and other maintenance tasks. What may work for one car may not for another, which is why it is best to use your owner’s manual for the specific schedule.
Maintenance is out of the question when poor fuel economy is accompanied by other issues. Warning lights, rough idling, atypical sounds, fuel odors, engine overheating, or performance issues are better reasons to get a check-up than a slight change in fuel economy by itself.
How Do You Tell What Is Normal?
Not at all times does increased fuel use mean a mechanical issue. In heavy traffic, at standstills, during long periods of idling, at high speeds, climbing steep hills, short trips, with extra passengers, and when using the air con more, that is to be expected. Comparing a day in the city to a trip out on the open road isn’t a like-for-like comparison.
A greater indicator is a continuous decline which is not due to driving conditions. If the car is reporting higher fuel use on the same routes with the same habits as before, at the same time other issues are present, it is reasonable to look into the cause. Look at a few tanks of fuel to determine this rather than base it on a single trip.
How to Monitor Fuel Consumption
A basic fuel log will do much for simplifying what you are looking at. At each fill-up, note the date, the number of liters you purchased, what you paid, and also the odometer or trip meter reading. Over the course of a few weeks, calculate your average kilometers per liter and cost per kilometer. This will put together a useful record that also may point out a slowdown in performance.
Fuel use will vary per trip, which is normal. Look out for a trend instead of an occasional high reading. If the average does continue to get worse, we also see those records as a tool to bring up with the mechanic.
When Your Car Should Be Inspected
A car should be taken in for service when you have unexplained high fuel use. Also, if the car is alerting you with a warning light, poor performance at acceleration, rough idle, strange noises, fuel odors, heat issues, or different handling that is out of the ordinary, bring it in. These are signs of issues which should not be ignored.
It is best to determine the cause of the issue before changing out parts which is a guess. A professional technician will do an inspection of the car and use diagnostic tools as needed to see if the issue is in the engine, fuel system, tires, brakes, sensors, or some other component.
Conclusion
A car which is burning through fuel at an excessive rate will in most cases present with warning signs before failure happens. You may see a drop in fuel economy, very frequent need to fill up, rising fuel cost per km, dashboard indicators may come on to warn of a problem, engine performance issues may arise, low tire pressure, and mechanical issues also are a notable issue to watch out for.
Fuel use should be monitored over time and compared in driving conditions. What we see as normal may just be a fluctuation, but a persistent drop out of the blue may point to a need for maintenance or inspection. By paying attention to this early, you also help to reduce fuel expenses and may catch a small issue before it becomes a large, more expensive repair.
