To improve petrol car mileage, you can follow several practical and effective tips:
Key Ways to Improve Petrol Car Mileage
- Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure: Keeping tyres inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure reduces rolling resistance, improving fuel efficiency by up to 10-15%
- Lighten Your Load: Remove unnecessary weight from your car, especially heavy items in the boot, as extra weight makes the engine work harder and consume more fuel
- Drive Smoothly and Steadily: Avoid aggressive acceleration, heavy braking, and frequent stop-start driving. Maintain a steady speed and anticipate traffic to reduce fuel consumption
- Use Gears Effectively: Shift to higher gears earlier to keep the engine running efficiently without over-revving
- Limit Air Conditioning Use: Air conditioning can reduce mileage by up to 30%. Use it sparingly and consider opening windows at low speeds to save fuel
- Avoid Idling: Turn off the engine if stopped for more than a minute to prevent wasting fuel
- Plan Your Journeys: Combine trips and avoid congested routes to reduce cold starts and unnecessary driving, which consume more fuel
- Maintain Your Car Regularly: Follow the service schedule, replace spark plugs timely, keep air filters clean, and check wheel alignment to ensure the engine runs efficiently and fuel is not wasted
- Improve Aerodynamics: Remove roof racks or boxes and keep windows closed at higher speeds to reduce drag and improve mileage
- Drive Within Speed Limits: Driving at moderate speeds (around 50-60 mph) is more fuel-efficient than high speeds, which increase fuel consumption significantly
Summary
Improving petrol mileage involves a combination of good driving habits, proper vehicle maintenance, and reducing unnecessary load and drag. Key actions include maintaining tyre pressure, driving smoothly, limiting AC use, regular servicing, and planning trips efficiently. These steps not only save fuel but also reduce emissions and overall running costs