How to Increase Car Mileage – Best Tips to Improve Fuel Efficiency

Meet Rohan. He drives around 40 km daily (to and from work), and his car gives him an average mileage of 12 km/litre. Here's what his fuel cost looks like:

• Daily fuel consumption: 3.33 litres
• Fuel cost at ₹103.5/litre: ₹345/day
• Monthly cost (22 working days): ₹7,590

Now, Rohan has decided to adopt a few smart driving habits and maintain his car better, increasing his mileage to 16 km/litre. That changes things:

• Daily fuel consumption: 2.5 litres
• Daily fuel cost: ₹258.75
• Monthly cost: ₹5,692.50

Monthly savings? ₹1,897.50 — that’s over ₹22,000 in a year!

A few small habits made a huge difference for Rohan. Let’s explore how you can start saving today.

1. Maintain Optimal tyre Pressure

Tyres might seem trivial, but their pressure significantly impacts mileage.

Example: 

Suppose your tyres are 10% under-inflated, your car’s mileage can drop by up to 2%. For a car that normally gives 15 km/litre, that’s:

• New mileage: 14.7 km/litre
• Over 500 km: You lose 1 full litre of fuel = ₹103.5 wasted

Key Tips:

• Check tyre pressure every two weeks
• Maintain manufacturer-recommended PSI (usually 30–35)
• Use nitrogen filling — it holds pressure longer than regular air

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Tyre Pressure vs Mileage Impact

2. Avoid Aggressive Driving (Speeding & Braking)

Frequent speeding, sudden braking, and jerky driving can hurt mileage more than you think. 

Example: 

Aggressive driving can reduce fuel efficiency by:

• 33% on highways
• 5% in city traffic

If your car gives 15 km/litre, aggressive driving on highways drops it to 10 km/litre.

• Over 100 km, you use 10 litres instead of 6.66 litres
• That’s 3.33 litres wasted = ₹344.65

Key Tips:

• Accelerate smoothly
• Use engine braking on slopes
• Maintain steady speeds, especially on highways
• Use cruise control if your car has it

3. Reduce Unnecessary Weight

Extra weight = extra fuel burned. 

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Example: 

Every additional 50 kg can reduce mileage by 1–2%.

If your car gives 18 km/litre, the efficiency can drop to 17.64 km/litre:

• Over 500 km: You burn 0.5 litres extra
• That’s ₹51.75 more

Key Tips:

• Empty your boot of unused tools, luggage, or junk
• Avoid carrying full water cans, heavy bags, or extra seats unless required
• Remove roof racks or carriers when not in use

4. Use the Right Engine Oil

Not all engine oils are equal. The wrong oil increases friction and decreases mileage.

Example: 

Using incorrect viscosity oil can reduce mileage by 2–3%.

For a car with a mileage of 14 km/l, this means:

• New mileage: 13.58 km/l
• Over 500 km: You burn an extra 1.5 litres = ₹155.25

Key Tips:

• Refer to your manual and use the manufacturer-recommended grade (e.g., 5W-30)
• Synthetic oils may offer better fuel economy
• Change oil every 8,000–10,000 km or as suggested

Engine Oil Types & Mileage Efficiency

5. Plan Trips and Avoid Peak Traffic

Idling and stop-start traffic drain fuel more than highway driving.

Example: 

Idling can burn up to 0.8 litres/hour.

If you idle for 30 minutes/day in traffic:

• That’s 12 litres/month = ₹1,242 wasted

Key Tips:

• Use Google Maps or navigation apps to avoid jams
• Club multiple errands into a single round-trip
• Adjust travel times if you can to avoid rush hours

6. Use Gears Correctly

Wrong gear = wrong fuel economy.

Example: 

Driving in a lower gear for too long can reduce fuel economy by up to 20%.

Say your car gives 18 km/l normally:

• Staying too long in 2nd gear could reduce it to 14.4 km/l
• For 500 km: That’s 3 litres wasted = ₹310.5

Key Tips:

• Shift up as soon as possible without over-revving
• Avoid downshifting too early
• In automatic cars, let the system shift gears naturally

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7. Avoid Excessive Air Conditioning Use

Air conditioners put an extra load on the engine.

Example: 

Using AC can increase fuel consumption by 0.2 to 1 litres/hour, depending on conditions.

Let’s average it at 0.5 litres/hour:

• 1 hour/day for 20 days = 10 litres = ₹1,035/month

Key Tips:

• Use AC wisely: at higher speeds or extreme heat
• Use the recirculation mode for better efficiency
• Roll down windows at lower speeds when safe

8. Get Your Car Serviced Regularly

Neglecting basic maintenance can reduce mileage by 10–20%.

Example: 

If your car’s mileage is 16 km/litre, lack of servicing can reduce it to 12.8–14.4 km/litre, causing:

• 1.6 to 3.2 litres extra fuel used every 500 km = ₹165.6 – ₹331.2 lost

Key Tips:

• Follow your car’s service schedule (usually every 6–12 months)
• Replace air filters, spark plugs, and oil filters
• Get fuel injectors and engine diagnostics done periodically

9. Maintain Proper Wheel Alignment

Misaligned wheels = more rolling resistance = more fuel used.

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Example: 

Bad alignment can reduce mileage by up to 10%.

For a car giving 17 km/litre, that becomes 15.3 km/l:

• Over 500 km: You use 1 litre more = ₹103.5

Key Tips:

• Get wheels aligned every 10,000 km or during each service
• Check alignment if your car pulls to one side or tyres wear unevenly

Misalignment vs Mileage Loss

10. Maintain a Steady Speed

Driving too fast or too slow affects efficiency. The ideal speed is 50–80 km/h for most cars.

Example: 

At 90+ km/h, mileage drops by 10–15% due to aerodynamic drag.

If you normally get 18 km/l:

• At high speeds: ~15.3 km/l
• For 1,000 km: You burn 3.1 litres more = ₹320.85

Key Tips:

• Stick to optimal speed limits
• Avoid speeding on highways
• Use speed control features if available

Factors That Influence Car Mileage

Here are a few other things that affect mileage:

Mistakes That Hurt Your Mileage

Avoid these common mistakes:

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• Ignoring regular maintenance
• Overusing air conditioning
• Driving with open windows at high speed
• Using incorrect engine oil
• Frequent short trips
• Overloading the vehicle
• Not having car insurance (post-accident repair costs can affect performance)

Conclusion

Now that you’ve got a roadmap to improve your car’s mileage, start making small but effective changes today. From checking your tyre pressure to avoiding aggressive driving and planning trips smartly, each action adds up to big savings.

And don’t forget, a well-maintained car performs better and lasts longer. Whether it’s fuel efficiency or performance, insurance also plays a key role. A bumper-to-bumper or comprehensive four-wheeler policy ensures your vehicle gets the care it needs after accidents or repairs, keeping it fuel-efficient and healthy.

FAQs – How to Increase Car Mileage

Q1. How often should I check tyre pressure?
Every 2 weeks, or before a long trip.

Q2. What is the ideal speed to maximise mileage?
Between 50–80 km/h for most cars.

Q3. Does AC really affect mileage that much?
Yes. Using AC can increase fuel consumption by up to 10–15%.

Q4. Can synthetic oil improve mileage?
Yes, synthetic oils reduce friction and may give better fuel efficiency.

Q5. Is overloading really a problem for mileage?
Absolutely. Even 50 kg extra can reduce mileage by 1–2%.

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