Aqua 2014 User Experience about Fuel Average

Ive been driving my 2014 Toyota AQUA for 150,000 kilometers, and overall, the car has been performing well with no significant issues. During the winter months, I easily achieve a fuel efficiency of 25 to 30 kilometers per liter.

I use the stock 165/70/14 tires and ZIC 5W20 oil. However, Ive recently encountered a problem. As the heat in Lahore intensified towards the end of May, I noticed a significant in fuel efficiency, with averages falling to 15-17 kilometers per liter, which is quite concerning.

To troubleshoot, I ran diagnostics using Torque Pro, checked the maximum and minimum voltage levels, inspected all battery cells, topped up tire pressure, cleaned the filters, and changed the oil. Despite these efforts, I couldnt figure out why my fuel average had plummeted when I usually get around 25 kilometers per liter.

The culprit? The extreme summer heat. My car is parked outside during the day, and with temperatures soaring to 46°C, the onboard computer struggles to keep the vehicle cool. The coolant begins to boil, the batteries heat up, and the air conditioning works overtime to maintain a comfortable temperature. This puts a strain on the cooling system, causing the vehicle to work harder to cool itself. The air conditioning never shuts off, and the radiator fan runs continuously. Additionally, the battery controller frequently cuts power to and from the battery to protect it from the heat.

Interestingly, in the mornings when temperatures to around 35°C, my fuel average returns to the normal range of 25-27 kilometers per liter.