Maximizing Your Car’s Mileage: 14 Practical Tips On How To Improve Car Mileage

Given the steady rise in fuel costs and growing environmental concerns, seeking ways to improve car mileage is hardly surprising. So, have you been scrolling the internet to find the most practical tips on how to improve car mileage? If so, continue ahead.

As per the Economics Times, driving your car for 12,000 miles in a year would mean spending Rs 5,000 on petrol (assuming Rs 75 per litre of petrol) and almost Rs 3,700 on diesel car with a mileage of 15 km.

Improving car mileage can significantly reduce expenses for the average consumer. This is especially true for vehicles with poor mileage, where fuel costs can be as high as the vehicle’s purchase price. Therefore, enhancing car mileage boosts your car’s efficiency and provides financial advantages.

It is clear that increasing your car’s mileage is essential for saving fuel costs and reducing your carbon footprint. Improved fuel efficiency also contributes to fewer emissions, decreased dependence on fossil fuels, and better vehicle performance. So, let us help you by offering you practical tips on how to improve car mileage.

Effective Tips On How To Improve Car Mileage 

1) Avoid Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving techniques such as rapid acceleration, hard braking, and speeding can significantly decrease fuel efficiency. These behaviours cause the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. 

By adopting smooth acceleration and deceleration, maintaining a steady speed, and anticipating traffic flow, you can improve fuel efficiency by up to 30%. Moreover, smooth driving reduces wear on engine components, brakes, and tires, leading to lower maintenance costs and a longer vehicle lifespan. 

2) Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure

It is wise to check and maintain the tyre pressure of your vehicle to improve car mileage. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which forces the engine to work more aggressively and consume more fuel. This additional strain on the engine not only reduces fuel efficiency but can also lead to premature wear and tear on the tires, shortening their lifespan. 

Overinflated tyres, on the other hand, can eventually result to excessive wear and poor handling, making the car less safe to drive. Aim to double-check your tyre pressure monthly and adjust it according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Properly inflated tyres can improve car mileage by up to 3%, enhance safety, and provide a more comfortable ride.

3) Optimal Use of Air Conditioning

Using air conditioning can significantly reduce fuel efficiency, especially in stop-and-go traffic. The AC system on your vehicle puts an extra load on the engine, causing it to burn more fuel. To save fuel and improve car mileage, use the AC sparingly and opt for the fan setting on cooler days. 

Parking in the shade can also reduce the need for AC by keeping the car cooler. 

4) Proper Gear Shifting

Shift gears early when driving a manual transmission car. High engine speeds consume more fuel, so shifting gears between 1,500 and 2,000 RPM can improve car mileage and provide a smoother ride. 

By driving in the highest gear possible for your speed, you reduce the engine’s workload and fuel consumption. Proper gear shifting also reduces wear on the transmission and engine, extending the life of these components and lowering maintenance costs.

5) Use Cruise Control

On highways, using cruise control helps maintain a constant speed, avoiding unnecessary speed fluctuations that can reduce fuel efficiency. By maintaining a steady speed, the engine operates more efficiently, consuming less fuel and thereby improving car mileage. 

However, it is important to avoid using cruise control in hilly or heavy traffic areas where frequent adjustments are needed, as this can counteract the benefits. Consistent speed control not only saves fuel but also reduces driver fatigue on long trips, contributing to safer driving conditions.

6) Aerodynamics and Windows

Keep your windows rolled up at when driving at high speeds to maintain aerodynamic efficiency. Open windows create drag, which can decrease fuel efficiency. Using air conditioning at higher speeds, if necessary, can be more fuel-efficient than driving with your vehicle’s windows down. 

Aerodynamic efficiency helps the car move through the air with less resistance, reducing the engine’s workload and fuel consumption. Additionally, using roof racks and carriers only when needed can further help to improve car mileage and aerodynamics.

7) Use High-Quality Fuel

Refuel from reputable stations to avoid contaminants that can affect engine performance and fuel efficiency. High-quality fuel ensures better combustion and improved car mileage. Contaminants in low-quality fuel can however clog fuel injectors and reduce engine efficiency, leading to higher fuel consumption. 

Using high-quality fuel also helps maintain engine cleanliness and performance, resulting in smoother operation and better fuel economy.

8) Minimize Idling

Idling is when you keep your engine running even when not in motion. It is recommended to turn off your engine if you expect to be stuck for more than 30 seconds. Idling consumes fuel without moving the vehicle, which decreases overall fuel efficiency. Modern engines use less fuel when restarting than when idling for prolonged periods. 

Minimizing idling not only helps to improve car mileage but also reduces emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment. This practice is critical in urban areas with heavy traffic and frequent stops.

9) Reduce Vehicle Weight

Get rid of unnecessary items from your car to reduce its weight. The heavier the vehicle, the more fuel it requires to move. Regularly clean out your car and only carry essentials. Every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce fuel efficiency by about 1%. This reduction in weight decreases the load on the engine, empowering it to operate more efficiently and improving car mileage. 

Additionally, reducing vehicle weight can improve acceleration, braking, and overall handling, making your car more responsive and easier to drive.

10) Use the Correct Motor Oil

Choose the right grade of motor oil as recommended by your car’s manufacturer. Synthetic oils can reduce engine friction and improve fuel efficiency. They also provide better lubrication, withstand higher temperatures, and reduce engine wear. 

Proper lubrication ensures that the engine runs smoothly and helps to improve car mileage. Periodical oil changes with the correct oil type (based of your vehicle type) are essential for maintaining optimal engine performance and fuel economy.

11) Check Wheel Alignment

Misaligned wheels are another reason causing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel. Ensure your wheels are correctly aligned to improve car mileage. Proper alignment reduces rolling resistance and ensures even tire wear, enhancing fuel economy and extending the life of your tires. 

Misalignment can also affect vehicle handling and safety, making regular alignment checks an integral part of vehicle maintenance.

12) Drive at Optimal Speeds

Driving at speeds between 80-90 km/h typically offers the best fuel efficiency. Avoid speeding, as fuel economy decreases significantly at higher speeds. At higher speeds, your vehicle’s engine works harder to overcome aerodynamic drag, leading to increased fuel consumption. 

Maintaining optimal speeds can not only help to improve car mileage but can also enhance safety by reducing the risk of road accidents as well as allowing for better control of the vehicle.

13) Plan Your Trips

Combine errands into one trip and avoid driving during peak traffic hours. By planning your routes efficiently and avoiding congested roads, you can reduce fuel consumption, thereby improving car mileage. Planning trips to minimize driving distances also helps, as shorter routes and fewer stops conserve fuel. 

Using GPS and traffic apps can assist in finding the most efficient routes, saving both time and fuel. Well-planned trips reduce the overall mileage driven, leading to lower fuel costs and less wear on the vehicle.

14) Regular Maintenance

Keep your car well-maintained to improve car mileage and ensure it runs efficiently. Regular oil changes, air filter replacements, and engine tune-ups are crucial for optimal performance. A clean air filter can improve car mileage by ensuring proper airflow to the engine, while fresh oil drastically reduces friction and allows the engine to run smoothly. 

Address any engine warning lights promptly to prevent issues that can reduce fuel efficiency. Well-maintained vehicles not only consume less fuel but also have fewer breakdowns, ensuring reliability and safety on the road.

How To Improve Car Mileage During Freezing Winters?

Winter conditions can pose challenges to maintaining optimal fuel efficiency. Here are some considerations and tips on how to improve car mileage during the colder months.

• Engine Warm-Up: Avoid prolonged idling to warm up the engine; instead, drive gently until the engine reaches operating temperature.
• Battery Health: Cold weather can affect battery performance, making the engine work harder.
• Use the Right Oil: Ensure you use oil with the correct viscosity for cold weather.
• Check Tire Pressure: Cold weather can reduce tire pressure, impacting fuel efficiency.
• Remove Snow: Clear snow from your vehicle to reduce weight and aerodynamic drag.

What About Fuel-Saving Devices – Can They Improve Car Mileage?

Fuel-saving devices are after-market products designed to improve fuel efficiency. They range from magnetic fuel savers to fuel line additives.

The efficacy of these devices varies. Some, like tire pressure monitoring systems, have proven benefits, while others lack scientific backing. If you are willing to buy these fuel saving devices, then consider devices with verifiable benefits, such as fuel-efficient tires and proper maintenance tools. They may be able to offer some if not all benefits. However, Be skeptical of devices with extravagant claims and no scientific validation.

At the end, we’d say research is always the best course of action before investing in one. You can also talk to your friends and get their insights on these devices. 

Conclusion: How To Improve Car Mileage Like A Pro

Improving your car’s mileage is essential for saving money, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing vehicle longevity. Adopting the strategies discussed can significantly boost your vehicle’s efficiency. Additionally, being mindful of winter driving tips and checking fuel-saving devices can further enhance your efforts.

Better mileage means lower fuel costs, fewer emissions, and a smoother, more reliable driving experience. Implement these practices to improve car mileage and contribute to a more sustainable future.

We hope this article answers all your queries about “how to improve car mileage.” Check out our other informative articles for more insightful information on cars.

Frequently Asked Questions- FAQs

Q1. How do I increase my car mileage?
Ans: You can increase your vehicle’s fuel economy by performing routine maintenance, driving efficiently, using the correct fuel and tire pressure, reducing weight, and avoiding excessive idling and aggressive driving.

Q2. Which gear gives the best mileage in a car?
Ans: The optimal operating gear for a the best mileage in an car is contingent upon a number of variables, such as the engine and the road conditions. In general, attaining a constant speed while shifting to a higher ratio can result in enhanced fuel economy.

Q3. Why is my car mileage so low?
Ans: Low fuel economy can be caused by a variety of factors, including improper maintenance, underinflated tires, aggressive driving, excessive idling, the use of substandard gasoline, and excessive weight. To increase fuel economy, it is critical to recognize and address the specific issue causing the low mileage.