- 5/14/2026
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Fuel Consumption
There are many reasons for high fuel consumption in cars, but the problem is the same: paying extra money due to refueling the tank more frequently and more than usual. Many factors—some you’re aware of, others you’re not, and some that might even seem strange to you—affect your car’s fuel consumption.
Gas mileage is affected by simple things you might not think of, which can cause it to be higher than normal for months or even years without you realizing it. Sometimes the increase is minor and you might not notice it, but often it’s significant and you’ll notice it over time.
If you’re looking to buy a used car and are concerned about fuel consumption, Motorgy offers you used cars for sale in Kuwait that have been fully inspected—from the engine down to the finest details—so you can assess their condition in advance, with a guarantee of purchasing at the lowest market price from experts.
Read also: Tips to reduce fuel consumption
Reasons for increased fuel consumption in a car
The most common reasons that lead to increased fuel consumption in your car are as follows:
Dirty air filters
There are two air filters in a car: the first is the engine air filter, and the second is the cabin air filter or AC air filter. Over time, these filters become clogged with dirt, making it very difficult for fresh air to pass through. This puts additional strain on the engine, leading to higher fuel consumption.
Low tire pressure
Another major factor affecting fuel consumption is low tire pressure. Tires must be inflated to the specific pressure recommended by your car’s manufacturer and maintained at that level without over- or under-inflation. Both under- and over-inflation will increase fuel consumption.
Inappropriate Engine Oil
If you use oil that is not suitable for your car’s engine in terms of viscosity, this will directly affect fuel consumption. Additionally, cheap, low-quality oils will not lubricate the engine properly, which will also increase fuel consumption. Furthermore, performance will be affected if the oil level falls below the normal range.
Read also: Do wheels affect fuel consumption?
Spark Plug Wear
Spark plugs are found in the engines of all gas-powered cars, and their function is to generate the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture. Over time, the tips of these spark plugs are subject to wear and damage, which results in incomplete combustion and increased fuel consumption.
Clogged fuel injectors
The function of fuel injectors is to spray the fuel-air mixture into the engine cylinders to enable combustion and engine operation. If they become clogged due to impurities in the fuel, the amount of mixture will decrease, affecting combustion and consequently increasing fuel consumption.
Damaged oxygen sensors
Oxygen sensors monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases to ensure combustion occurs at the correct rate. They then send this data to the car’s computer, which adjusts the air-fuel mixture accordingly. If the sensors are damaged, the data will be inaccurate, the mixture will be incorrect, and fuel consumption will increase.
Leaving the Engine Running While Idle
You’ve probably been in many situations where you had to stop somewhere to wait for someone or in front of a restaurant and left the engine running. This is a mistake, because stopping for a long time with the engine running will significantly increase fuel consumption.
Read also: The Impact of Tires on Gas Mileage
Heavy load in the trunk
A car’s weight has a very significant impact on fuel consumption, and any additional load you carry will increase consumption, even if it’s minimal. Imagine if your trunk is full of items, you may not even need—it will increase fuel consumption to an extent you can’t even imagine.
Aggressive Driving
Your driving style also affects fuel consumption. Aggressive driving involves heavy pressure on the accelerator and frequent braking. This is considered reckless and even dangerous, and it will cause wear and tear on other parts of the car, in addition to incurring extra costs due to frequent refueling.
Mechanical and Electrical Problems
Your car contains many mechanical and electrical components that contribute to its operation and ensure its proper functioning. If some of these components are damaged or malfunction, they will directly affect fuel consumption, even if they are not directly related to the engine—such as the fuel system, suspension, brakes, transmission, and many others.
