How to get more mileage from your car

Spooked by the petrol price hike? Wonder if you have to park your car at home and take public transport instead?

Mr I.V Rao, Managing Executive Officer (Engineering), Maruti Suzuki India lists ten easy to follow tips to squeeze the most mileage from every drop of fuel you fill.

* Plan your route in advance and choose the least traffic congestion path available on the time. Tune in to radio for updates on traffic conditions, so that you can avoid getting trapped in traffic jams that could lead to increased fuel consumption.

* Aggressive driving leads to increased fuel consumption. By practicing defensive driving (i.e. anticipating traffic conditions ahead and reacting accordingly), would not only be making your trip safer, but also saving on your wallet by consuming less fuel.

For example, you can achieve higher fuel economy by taking your foot off the accelerator when approaching traffic lights and coasting towards it to avoid last minute braking when the light turns red.

* It is advisable to allocate sufficient time to get to your destination to avoid over-speeding. Over-Speeding would usually lead to harsh acceleration and braking, which would lead to increased fuel consumption.

Fuel efficiency usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 80 kmph.

* Don't drive at higher speeds with windows wide open. It increases the aerodynamic drag especially while on the highway and so lowers fuel efficiency.

* Park in the shade to keep car cool and reduce the need for air-conditioner. Use of an air-conditioner in hot weather can increase fuel consumption by more than 20 per cent in city driving. Use Air-conditioner in recirculation mode as far as possible.

* It is advisable to switch off the engine if you are leaving your car to idle for more than a minute. Excessive idling wastes fuel and pollutes the environment. A mid size car engine normally consumes around 0.9 to 1.25 litre per hour in idling mode.

* To achieve better fuel economy on a manual transmission vehicle, switch to the highest gear quickly without straining the engine. Driving in a gear lower than required as well as ‘lugging’ your engine on inclines increases fuel consumption.

Automatic transmission vehicles will shift up gears more quickly and smoothly if you ease back slightly on the accelerator when the car has gathered sufficient momentum.

* Fast starts, weaving in and out of traffic, accelerating to and from a stop light actually doesn't save much time. It only wastes more fuel and wears out some of the car components like brakes and tyres faster.

* Start car and immediately, but gently, drive away. Don't leave car idling. Today's engines don't need to be warmed up.

*Avoid carrying unnecessary loads in your car. Your vehicle’s engine would need to work harder as a result, leading to unnecessary increase in fuel consumption. Having an additional 50 kgs in the boot can reduce fuel efficiency by 1 to 2 per cent.

Objects placed on the roof of vehicles also lead to increased drag and lower fuel economy. You can reduce drag by placing items inside the vehicle rather than on the roof. Use of electrical accessories like Fog Lamp, Heavy Amplifier etc can overload the electrical system of the vehicle and consume more fuel leading to lower fuel economy.

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