Fuel consumption. What are the reasons and how to control it?

The question of fuel consumption is important, as it allows you to identify problems with the car and also directly relates to your finances. What is fuel economy? Simply to explain, it is a sequence of actions aiming to reduce a fuel consumption by car. In general, this measure depends on the landscape and driving style. However, some technical issues can increase fuel consumption. inCarDoc app offers users an Economizer feature and DTC reader, we will dwell into it later. For now, our main focus is: which action can help increase the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.

How to reduce fuel consumption?

There are numerous solutions that help to save gas, they vary from region, car type, driving patterns, season, climate and weather. We will provide universal advice for a wide community of drivers.

First and foremost, check the vehicle for technical faults. Engine failures and errors in the electronic system cause increased fuel burning. There are about 90 trouble codes that can cause this, for instance: P0170, P0174, P0172 - P0175, P0300-P0308, P0420, P0100-P104 etc. These are usually Engine & Fuel System or Emissions & Oxygen Sensor codes. If these codes occur during the check, it is worth cleaning them and fuel consumption may decrease.

Fuel and engine oil quality. Using appropriate fuel and engine oil is what called fuel efficiency? When designing a car, everything was taken into account, so recommendations for the engine are important and correct octane plays an important role in the quality of car operation. The basic thing is to use high-quality fuel. We discussed motor oil in detail here, so we suggest that you familiarize with this article about engine oil importance and choosing.

The devil is in the details

Any more or less experienced driver will say that the driving style of the car affects fuel consumption. So, how to save gas while driving? To be honest, it's challenging to answer this question because so many factors are involved, like the type of engine, weather, season, weight of the car, landscape etc.

◈ If possible, unload the vehicle. If you use your car as a warehouse on wheels, maybe it costs you extra money for fuel. Try to remove excess from the trunk, and compare the result of fuel costs.
◈ Go for a spin isn't about gas efficiency. So, vehicle driving with the side windows lowered can cause higher fuel intake, due to wind resistance, when the car speed is more than 80 km/h. Nevertheless, if this is a short drive around the city, you can not deny yourself and enjoy the ride.
◈ Jams consume gas faster than on the ride, but does driving slower save gas? Again, there is no clear answer. Due to stops and traffic jams, fuel consumption in the city is higher than on a highway during a long trip. Does driving faster use more gas? Yes, driving a car at 100 and 110 km/h already has a difference of 10% in fuel consumption. Speeds below 50 km/h are also not recommended. Therefore, keep an average speed and do not exceed it, this is the key not only to low fuel consumption, but also to safety.
◈ How can you maximize fuel economy when accelerating? Pay attention to your driving style and try to follow lower RPM and avoid aggressive driving at all. Smooth driving and slow braking, travelling at a constant speed by routes planned beforehand - are the best tips for effective driving.

One more advice - control the fuel consumption. And to do it easy, you may use inCarDoc, namely the Economizer feature.

The inCarDoc Economizer widget is presenting and tracks the car’s fuel economy/consumption. Available both in-drive (instant and average MPG) as well as per trip, per day and other statistics. 

1. Economy fuel - instantaneous flow rate (for "single" current values) measured in litres per 100 km (or gallons per 100 miles).
2. Economy fuel avg - the average consumption for the whole trip (up to the current moment), measured in litres per 100 km (or gallons per 100 miles).
3. Economy distance - instantaneous flow rate (for "single" current values) measured in km per 1 litter (or miles per gallon). 
4. Economy distance avg - average consumption for the complete trip (up to the current moment) is measured in km per 1 litter (or miles per gallon).

You can also view inCarDoc statistics on the site, which are based on the performance of our users. Find your model and car brand, and find out the average declared and actual fuel consumption.

Why is my car burning so much gas?

So, increased fuel consumption often indicates a technical malfunction of the car.  Finding these causes can be very long and time-consuming, but there are several breakdowns that frequently cause high fuel consumption by the car. You can read DTC with inCarDoc app for free and solve the issue in several minutes. So, how to get better gas mileage through car maintenance?

1. The ECU (Electronic Control Unit) relies on data from various sensors. When a sensor malfunctions, it can send incorrect information to the ECU, causing the system to apply inaccurate settings. Although this is a relatively rare issue, it is undesirable because it requires time and the attention of specialists to diagnose and fix.
2. Mass air sensor. In case of violation of its tightness, the air supply is distorted, the indicators fall. Ignoring such a minor, at first glance breakage, can lead to serious problems with the engine.
3. A lambda sensor (also known as an oxygen sensor or O₂ probe) requires replacement when it becomes faulty, typically due to ageing, contamination, or damage. Signs it may need replacement include poor fuel economy, rough idling, increased emissions, or a check engine light with relevant diagnostic trouble codes (e.g., P0130–P0167).
4. Clogged fuel and air filter. If you have not checked the filters of the car for a long time, it's time to do it. Timely replacement of the filter will help to avoid overloading the double and extend its service life.
5. Clogged exhaust channel of the cylinder head or a clogged catalyst.
6. The wear of the piston group. Concerns can be in the engine; this type of damage is typically characteristic of cars with high mileage.
7. "Easy to fix" issues are: wear of spark plugs, fuel leak, engine oil replacement.
8. Check the tire pressure. At low pressure, a high resistance is manifested, and the car spends excessive efforts to overcome it. Even a difference of 10 psi affects the result. More about this in this article.

If you've made it this far, we hope you're now equipped to choose the best improve gas mileage products for your vehicle.