Car using too much fuel? Here's why
If your car has started drinking fuel faster than usual, something has changed — and most causes are cheap to fix once you find them.
Common reasons for high fuel use
- Dirty air filter — a clogged filter starves the engine of air, so it burns more fuel. Cheap and common.
- Worn spark plugs — weak or misfiring plugs waste fuel on every cycle.
- Low tyre pressure — soft tyres drag; check them first, it's free.
- Faulty oxygen or air-flow sensor — feeds the engine wrong readings, so it over-fuels.
- Dragging brakes — a sticking caliper makes the engine fight the brakes the whole time.
- Heavy AC use — in UAE heat the AC adds real load; some extra use is normal in summer.
- Service overdue — old oil and filters make the whole engine work harder.
Check these first
- Tyre pressure (free, do it today).
- Is the service overdue? That alone can raise consumption.
- Any warning light on? A sensor fault often shows up as the check-engine light.
Typical Dubai cost: an air filter or spark plugs are inexpensive; a sensor or brake fix costs more.
Prices vary by car and garage — always get an exact quote first.
When to get it checked
If tyre pressure and a service don't fix it, a garage can scan the sensors and check the plugs and brakes in one go. Ask for a free inspection so you get the real cause before spending.
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