How to increase car mileage- Tips and Tricks

Saving time means saving money. So does saving petrol/diesel or getting the best mileage from your lovely car. You may not know but your driving and car maintenance practices play an important role in determining the mileage of your car. From the weight your car carries to the maintenance of its parts, there is a myriad of factors that can help you make the best use of your car and attain those extra miles while spending less money. The following sections contain tips and tricks that can help you increase car mileage.

What is car mileage?

The mileage of a car is the distance that it travels using one gallon or liter of fuel. Moreover, in the case of CNG, it is the distance the car travels using 1 kg of CNG. Mostly, the mileage of a car is measured in mpg (miles per gallon) or kmpl (kilometer per liter). An odometer is a device used to track mileage. The more miles or kilometers traveled, the more wear and tear the car has faced. Or you can say that mileage is the indicator of ‘Age of the car’. Often people ignore the mileage part and are unaware of the practices that help them to make the most of their car. Here are some of the simplest tips and tricks that can help you to increase the mileage of the car.

Tips and tricks to increase car mileage

1. Optimum Tire pressure

It’s strange how small things make a huge difference, for instance, take tire pressure. 

While over-inflated tires can lead to the possibility of losing grip and splashing water on the road. Under-inflated tires can lead to increased friction between the rubber of the tire and the road. This in turn will increase the consumption of fuel resulting in lower mileage. 

It is important to keep your tires inflated at the manufacturer’s recommended levels. You can find the optimum recommended pressure in your car in the owner’s manual, on a sticker just inside the driver’s side door, or on the glovebox. Further, properly inflated tires are safer, lasts longer, and give good mileage. It’s really not that difficult. Just check your tire pressure at least once a week and you’re good to go. 

2. Turn off the AC

Turn off your AC whenever you can. While this can be really uncomfortable on a hot day, it can increase the mileage of your car by about 30%. Hence, turn off AC if you want your car to be fuel-efficient.

3. Shed the Weight

While you may think that the extra things your car carries don’t matter much, the reality is that it makes your car work more, drink more fuel, and eventually lower your mileage. Therefore, it will be wise to carry only the essential things and keep your car light. This will keep your car from burning unnecessary fuel and increase car mileage.

4. Don’t waste fuel idling (However at the traffic lights)

If you want to make the most out of the fuel you pay for, don’t waste your fuel idling. It practically means 0 kmpl while burning fuel constantly. Moreover, turn your engine off if you are at a red light with more than 30 seconds of halt. Further, it will not be wise to turn the engine off every now and then for a really brief stop for seconds.

Your car will burn more fuel to get started again than it will burn fuel idling for 30 seconds. Just be wise with your choices to increase car mileage.  

5. Fill the tank up in the morning

You may be wondering, Why morning?! Well, there is a good explanation for that. While filling your tank, the pump measures the fuel in volume. In the morning, the fuel is denser due to a relatively lower temperature. As a result, you get more fuel in the same amount of money.

In addition to this, never forget to check the fuel cap because it will cost you more when fuel evaporates.

6. Plan your trip and route

Not every trip needs a car. It will be best if you don’t take your car out for every little errand you have to run. Moreover, if you are a daily commuter, try to get ready and start the car just 10 minutes before the rush hour. It will save the extra fuel you burn at peak hours in congestion and traffic. Also, it will increase your car mileage. Further, you can also minimize your encounters with traffic by planning your trip and choosing the less crowded route.

7. Caution while accelerating

Over-revving your engine or too quick acceleration burns more fuel. Accelerate slowly and be as gentle as possible with the controls of your car. Also, engage with the clutch only when required. Driving with the clutch pressed wastes a lot more fuel.

Further, driving in low gears too burns more fuel. Hence, for the best car mileage, 1500-2000 RPM will be good i.e. running in 5th gear at speed of 80 kmph will increase your car mileage. 

8. Keep Windows rolled up

Aerodynamics plays an important role in determining your car mileage as well. When windows are open, even slightly, it results in lower fuel efficiency due to increased friction. On the other hand, even with AC turned on, you will save more fuel when windows are shut. 

9. A little bit on the choice of oil

Now it may seem that choosing the premium expensive engine oil will offer you better car mileage. But this is not the case. Rather the oil recommended by your car manufacturer is tested and most suited. It will be wise to stick with the engine oil recommended in the owner’s manual. Further, opting for any other grade of oil can lower your fuel efficiency by 20%. 

10. Manual driving in automatic cars

This may sound strange to you but if possible, shift gears manually in automatic cars to increase mileage. The reason is that the automatic gearbox does not change the gear until a specific speed is achieved. Even when less torque is required to gear up, the car runs in low gear and burns more fuel. Therefore, you can shift gears manually to improve fuel efficiency.

11. Give your car regular care in servicing

Keep your engine serviced and in good health to increase car mileage. Further, making sure that it passes all the emissions tests can reward your car mileage very kindly. Even replacing a malfunctioning oxygen sensor can increase car mileage by as much as 40%.

Moreover, clogged air or oil filters too can decrease the fuel efficiency of your car. Therefore, to increase car mileage, make sure that filters and engine are in excellent condition.

You can download the AutoFlipz app and give your car the care and maintenance it needs with free pick-up and drop-off services. 

Conclusion

These little practices can save you a lot of money and increase your car’s age and mileage. Plus who does not love to drive while getting good mileage and saving money, time and environment?

Drive safe, drive efficiently and remember that haste makes waste.

Happy motoring from AutoFlipz!

Also Read: 10 best mileage Car in India