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

Read More – Rising Petrol & Diesel Prices Impact Your Monthly Budget?
 

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. 

Read More: How to Save Money for Big Purchases

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

Also Read - Why Self-Finance Is the Smartest Way to Buy a Car in 2025
 

7. Avoid Excessive Air Conditioning Use

Air conditioners put an extra load on the engine.

Example: