12 Driving Habits That Can Improve Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

If you are a car owner, fuel efficiency is definitely one of your major concerns. Rising fuel costs have been one of the reasons you would want to achieve excellent fuel efficiency in your car. 

We agree that the fuel efficiency is dependent on multiple factors, like the car model, engine power, and other systems. However, there are a few driving habits that can help improve your car's fuel efficiency. 

Today, we will check out the basic driving habits to help you improve the mileage of your car. 

12 driving habits to improve the fuel efficiency of your car

Driving is an art, and expert drivers among you will agree with my view. A few small changes in your driving habits can help you let you get the best fuel efficiency on your vehicle. 

1. Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive acceleration

Aggressive driving is the sole reason that wastes fuel. Do you have the habit of sudden acceleration at the traffic lights? That habit can burn excessive fuel. We recommend accelerating gradually. Develop a speed gradually instead of doing it in short bursts. 

2. Use cruise control 

Maintain a steady speed when driving. You can use cruise control methods for a better fuel efficiency. In fact, cruise control should be the best driving method on highways. You will indeed be surprised to find how much fuel you can save by this simple driving habit. 

3. Keep the tyres properly inflated 

Underinflated tyres are another major cause of the wastage of fuel. If your type pressure drops below the levels recommended by the manufacturer, your engine needs to work hard to propel you forward. This can lead to poor fuel efficiency. Make it a habit to check tyre pressure quite often. Several fuel stations have a free option to check and inflate tyres for free or at a nominal price. 

4. Limit the use of air-conditioning 

Running the AC consistently and at all times can put a pressure on your engine. The air conditioner makes your engine work harder and increasing the fuel consumption. You can keep the doors open if you have windows open and turn off the AC. 

5. Avoid idling unnecessarily

Do you have the habit of sitting idle with the engine running? That would mean you are burning fuel without moving. If you are stopping for more than, say, 45 seconds, turn off the engine. There is a myth that restarting consumes more fuel. But modern cars do not use much fuel for resuming. Many cars also have automatic stop and start mechanisms. 

6. Reduce extra weight on your car

Every extra kilogram on your car can make it harder for the engine to move your car forward. Remove anything that is unnecessary. That is true in the case of roof and cargo boxes as well. If you are not using them, take them off. Added weight can add drag and reduce the fuel efficiency. Ensure lessening the burden on your car.

7. Use the correct engine oil 

Not every engine oil is the same or created equal. Use only the type of oil recommended by the manufacturer. Use of high or low viscosity oils can make your engine to underperform. This can have a bearing on the overall performance and fuel efficiency. Make sure to change  oil at regular intervals. 

8. Keep your engine well-maintained 

A poorly maintained engine can be a sluggish performer. It will struggle to run and waste energy. Regular servicing will help your engine stay in a good condition. Replace air filters regularly as per the schedule. Pay an equal attention to the spark plugs, fuel injectors and other essential components. Do not miss the regular service schedule. In fact, proper servicing will help you make sure that any minor issues can be addressed before they become serious. 

9. Plan your routes 

When going on a long drive, make sure that you have planned your routes properly. Stop-and-go traffic can have a negative impact on the fuel efficiency. You can use the navigation apps like Google Maps to find the nearest routes and thus help you avoid traffic. Also, it is a good idea to combine multiple tasks into one single drive if they happen along the path, or even slightly off the route. This avoids the unnecessary cold starts that can negatively impact the fuel efficiency. 

10. Shift gears at the right RPM

In the case of manual cars, shifting the gears matters a lot in improving the fuel efficiency. Shift to higher gears as soon as you have developed a speed. Driving in a higher gear, but at a lower speed, can reduce the fuel efficiency.  If you have an automatic, drive smoothly and let the transmission shift naturally at higher gears, which improves fuel consumption.

11. Use the eco mode if available 

Many modern vehicles come with an eco mode. The mode is designed to help optimise the fuel consumption. Of course, the performance may be slightly limited. However, it can help you achieve better fuel consumption in city traffic. Try switching to Eco Mode during your daily commute and feel the difference in fuel efficiency over the course of a month.

12. Avoid frequent short trips 

We have already discussed this. Short trips soon after your car has come back to the garage can consume a lot of fuel. Combine several short trips into one single trip. Let your engine warm up for about 30 seconds before driving away after a long parked period.

Improve Fuel Efficiency While Driving Smart

Well, improving the fuel efficiency of your car need not be rocket science. The above 12 driving habits to improve your car’s fuel efficiency can definitely be helpful in achieving your goal. You do not need to go with fancy modifications. Simply follow these essential tips and be able to save a lot of fuel. 

If you're looking for vehicles that combine excellent fuel efficiency with reliable performance, check out Indus Motors. As one of India's leading Maruti dealers, Indus Motors offers a wide range of fuel-efficient vehicles designed for modern Indian roads.  Visit the nearest Indus Motors showroom to explore fuel-efficient models and find the perfect vehicle that matches your driving needs and budget.

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