Fit Service lists five car breakdowns that increase fuel consumption

If the malfunction indicators do not light up on the dashboard, the car may, unnoticed by the driver, burn more fuel than it should according to the passport. Nikita Rodionov, technical director of the international network of car service centers Fit Service, told Motor magazine about what problems lead to increased gasoline consumption.

“How efficiently fuel burns directly depends on the accuracy of the data in the engine control unit. The lambda probe is the main element that corrects the supply of gasoline. Over time, this sensor may become coated with combustion products or additives, which leads to a slower response and distorted readings,” the expert said.

As a result, the engine begins to run on a supersaturated mixture. Outwardly, everything will look stable, but fuel consumption will increase by 10-15%. And the presence of a breakdown will become clear only when the sensor fails completely, he explained.

The second common reason for high gas mileage is reduced injector capacity. Even when using only high-quality fuel, varnish deposits form on the injector nozzles over time. Because of this, the injector supplies fuel in large drops, and the heavy fractions of gasoline do not have time to burn completely. The driver will press the gas pedal, fuel will be consumed faster, and the car’s dynamics will still drop.

The third problem lies in the ignition system. To ignite the fuel mixture, the energy of the spark discharge is important. Over time, spark plugs wear out and become covered with carbon deposits. Because of this, the spark becomes weaker. As a result, the air-fuel mixture ignites worse or takes longer, which, of course, increases fuel consumption.

Very often, rolling resistance becomes a factor affecting gas mileage. Low tire pressure increases the contact patch with the road and resistance to movement. The engine spends more energy, and, as a result, gasoline. The same effect can be achieved due to incorrect wheel alignment. Even a minimal deviation in wheel alignment angles increases gasoline consumption by 1-1.5 liters per 100 km.

And finally, the fifth factor is air pollution. To burn one liter of gasoline, 15 kilograms of air are required. A clogged air filter or carbon deposits on the throttle valve prevent the cylinders from filling. Due to lack of air, the electronic control unit adjusts the gasoline supply to stabilize the speed. Over time, the intake manifold becomes overgrown with carbon deposits and cannot pass the required amount of air. As a result, the dynamics worsen and gasoline consumption increases, Rodionov warned.

Earlier it was reported that car repair prices in Russia have risen to a record high.