The factors most likely to increase fuel consumption include aggressive driving habits (such as rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and speeding), carrying excess weight, using air conditioning, incorrect tire pressure, and technical defects in the vehicle like a faulty thermostat. Additionally, driving at high engine RPMs, idling excessively, and poor vehicle maintenance can also significantly increase fuel consumption.
Key Factors Increasing Fuel Consumption
- Aggressive Driving: Rapid acceleration, harsh braking, and speeding can reduce fuel economy by 15% to 40% depending on conditions.
- Excess Weight: Carrying unnecessary cargo or heavy loads forces the engine to work harder, increasing fuel use.
- Air Conditioning Use: AC can increase fuel consumption by 5% to 25%, as it puts additional load on the engine.
- Incorrect Tire Pressure: Under or over-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, lowering fuel efficiency.
- Technical Defects: Issues such as a faulty thermostat can prolong engine warm-up time, increasing fuel use up to 30% in extreme cases.
- Idling: Excessive idling wastes fuel unnecessarily.
- High Engine RPM: Extended periods of high RPM, such as driving fast or climbing steep hills, increase fuel consumption.
Among these, aggressive driving and technical defects like a faulty thermostat are particularly impactful in increasing fuel consumption significantly.
