How to improve the mileage of petrol car – Tips For Indian Car Users

by IndianAuto Team | 16/04/2020
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Keeping the fuel mileage maximum is always a concern for car users, especially petrol car owners. Here are some tips that can help you make the best use of fuel.

It was commonly known that petrol cars are less fuel-efficient than their diesel counterparts. Despite the lower initial purchasing cost, a petrol vehicle will cost you more in the long term compared to a diesel car due to its higher running cost. To make the matter worse, the real-life fuel mileage of a petrol engine is barely on par with the claimed ARAI mileage provided by the car manufacturer. Fuel mileage has always been a big concern for petrol car users. IndianAuto will give you a complete guide on how to improve the mileage of a petrol car.

save money for fuel

Knowing how to save fuel is a must for all car driver

Before getting into the detailed tips, it is worth to break down the reason for the huge gap between claimed fuel efficiency rating and the real-life mileage of a car. It comes down to the nature of petrol engines which usually reach their maximum power at the higher torque range than the diesel engines. When driving a petrol car, the driver tends to rev the car to higher torque band, which explains why petrol cars usually consume more fuel. It also reveals the key point to maximize the fuel mileage of your car.

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Do not push the throttle too hard

Petrol engines can gain the love from car users mostly thanks to its ability of instant speed picking and smooth acceleration. Compared to diesel engines, petrol engines can rev up quickly and take less time to find its maximum power. The effortless and smooth nature of the petrol engine makes it difficult for the driver to harness the power. The key is to be gentle and take things easy so that you can keep that car at a suitable range. Don’t pull full effort on pressing the throttle if not necessary.

Pick the optimal torque range

Everyone has the impression that the maximum fuel economy comes at peak torque. However, it is only true when you are driving at cruising speed. For example, even though a car would develop its peak torque at around 4000 rpm, it would provide you with enough power to moving forward at only around 2000 rpm. Instead of revving toward the peak torque, you should keep your car at around the mark of 2000 rpm, which will effectively save you fuel.

Be careful with the braking

Braking is also an important factor to keep the fuel mileage maximum. Whenever your car is coming to a stop, it is highly recommended to avoid braking hard. Shifting to a lower gear and waiting until the engine comes to idle is not fuel-efficient either. Instead, try to anticipate your stop early and free the throttle. By doing this, the engine braking and the fuel overrun cut function which is equipped in most modern ICE car will be activated, saving more fuel and improving the fuel mileage.  

Stop engine at long idle 

One difference between the turbocharged diesel engine and a petrol unit is how they handle idling. For a turbo diesel car, it will take time for the engine to slow down. On the other hand, a petrol unit without turbo can easily switch off when it comes to the idle state. If you have to stop for more than one minute, it is best to switch off the engine. However, if the stop is less than one minute, you should not do the same since the energy it takes to start the engine will consume more than what you can save.

Use air condition smartly

The running of air condition also consumes a great deal of fuel. Using the air condition effectively can push the fuel efficiency of a car. One tip is to turn off the AC compressor when you are about to pick up from a stop. It will help to reduce the load for the engine, hence saving energy and allowing better fuel economy.

Some people might assume that turning off the AC would help to improve fuel mileage. However, it is not true in every case. When driving on the highway, some people would prefer to turn off the air conditioner and roll the window down to make use of the natural wind. However, it is not the best way to maximize fuel economy. In fact, this practice will end up consuming more power than what is required to run the AC system since open the window will increase the air resistance, which will boost fuel consumption.

Other useful tips on saving gas for petrol cars

In addition to the specific fuel-saving tips for petrol engine car, there is also some valuable general advice that can be applied for different fuel type vehicle.

  • Minimize the car weight by unloading unnecessary luggage on your car

  • Keep your car at the best condition by having regular services, check-up

  • Keep the tyre pressure at the optimum condition

  • Minimize using air condition

  • Keep driving at the optimum speed (around 60-70 kmph)

  • Slow down and accelerate in a gentle manner

  • Pick up the right gear to avoid straining the engine

  • Keep car parts like air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and injector clean

If you can apply these tips while driving, it can significantly improve the fuel mileage of petrol cars. It might even help you to reach the claimed fuel mileage promised by the car manufacturer.

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