If you drive in India, you already know fuel is basically a second EMIs worth of expense. So figuring out how to increase car mileage is not just a nice idea, it is money back in your pocket every single month.
The good news is this. You do not need a new car or some magical fuel additive. Small changes in how you drive and how you maintain the car can easily give you 10 to 25 percent better mileage in real conditions, especially in city traffic.
Let us break it down.
What mileage really depends on
Mileage is not only about the engine. It is the result of four things working together
- How you drive
- How healthy the car is
- How much weight and drag you are carrying
- Where and how you drive, traffic and terrain
Once you understand that, how to increase car mileage becomes less mysterious and more like a simple checklist you can control.
Driving habits that instantly improve mileage
Here is the thing. Your right foot is often the biggest mileage killer.
1. Stop driving like the roads are a race track
Hard acceleration and harsh braking can drop fuel economy dramatically on both highways and in city traffic. What this really means is
- Press the accelerator smoothly instead of flooring it
- Look far ahead so you do not have to brake suddenly at every signal
- Keep some distance from the car in front so you can roll and lightly brake instead of full brake, full accelerate, repeat
You will notice the fuel gauge moving slower, and as a bonus, your passengers will stop complaining.
2. Use higher gears and steady speeds
Driving in the highest suitable gear at low revs is one of the simplest ways to increase mileage. Engines burn more fuel when they spin faster, so calm rpm usually equals calm fuel consumption.
In practice
- Upshift early instead of dragging each gear to high rpm
- Maintain a steady speed on open roads
- Use cruise control on long highway stretches if your car has it and the road allows it
3. Avoid long idling
Idling gives you exactly zero kilometers per liter. If you are going to be stopped for more than a minute, switching off the engine and restarting will usually use less fuel than letting it idle, especially in modern cars.
Auto start stop systems exist for exactly this reason. If your car has it and you turned it off, consider using it again.
Maintenance basics that protect your mileage
You cannot drive your way out of bad maintenance. If the car is not healthy, your mileage will suffer no matter how careful you are.
4. Tyre pressure is non negotiable
Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance, which simply means the engine has to work harder to move the same car. Correct tyre pressure alone can have a huge impact on fuel efficiency.
Make sure to
- Check pressure at least once a month and before long drives
- Follow the numbers mentioned on the door sticker or the manual
- Do not forget the spare tyre
If you only pick one habit from this article, make it this one.
5. Clean air filter, correct engine oil
A clogged air filter forces the engine to work harder. Regular filter replacements keep performance and mileage healthy.
On engine oil
- Use the correct grade recommended by the manufacturer
- Do not stretch oil change intervals
- Avoid miracle additives
The goal is a smooth, low friction engine, not a science experiment.
6. Alignment, spark plugs, and small things that add up
Misaligned wheels create drag. Poor spark plugs mean incomplete combustion. These small issues quietly eat into your mileage.
Ask your service center to
- Check wheel alignment and balancing on schedule
- Inspect and replace spark plugs on time
- Scan for any engine errors
When everything is in tune, the car uses less fuel for the same work.
Smart choices while using the car
7. Drop the dead weight
Extra weight equals extra fuel, simple as that. Over time, unnecessary load in the car costs real money.
So
- Empty out that boot full of old bottles, tools, and items you never use
- Remove roof racks or carriers when not needed
- Avoid carrying half your house in the car
Even 30 to 50 kilograms makes a difference over thousands of kilometers.
8. Plan trips and combine errands
Cold starts and very short trips hurt mileage because engines run richer when cold. That is why your fuel gauge always drops faster in heavy city use.
Whenever possible
- Combine multiple small trips into one
- Avoid peak hours if your schedule allows
- Use navigation apps that show live traffic
Small planning shifts can save fuel without effort.
Quick checklist for how to increase car mileage
If you want a summary you can remember, here it is
- Drive smooth, not angry
- Shift up early and avoid high rpm
- Do not idle the car for long
- Keep tyres at the correct pressure
- Service on time, including air filter, plugs, and oil
- Travel light and remove unused roof racks
- Plan routes to avoid heavy traffic
Follow this for a month and track your real mileage at the pump. You will almost certainly see a difference.
Highest mileage petrol cars in India right now
Driving better helps, but if you are thinking about a new car, it also helps to know which petrol cars deliver strong mileage based on official ARAI figures and recent market data.
Here are some of the highest mileage petrol or petrol hybrid cars in India right now
- Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder strong hybrid
Around 27.97 kmpl ARAI mileage. One of the most fuel efficient SUVs in the country. - Maruti Grand Vitara strong hybrid
Shares the same hybrid setup as the Hyryder, also around 27.97 kmpl. - Honda City eHEV hybrid
About 27.26 kmpl ARAI mileage. Among the most efficient petrol sedans. - Maruti Suzuki Celerio petrol
Up to around 26.68 kmpl, making it one of the highest mileage pure petrol cars. - Maruti Swift petrol
ARAI figure of roughly 25.75 kmpl. Strong efficiency for a popular hatchback. - Maruti Dzire petrol
Around 25.71 kmpl, slightly more efficient than the Swift in some variants. - Maruti WagonR petrol
Around 25.19 kmpl depending on engine option. - Maruti Alto K10 petrol
Around 24.9 kmpl for the AMT variant. Light body, simple engine, dependable efficiency.
A couple of points worth keeping in mind
- Hybrid SUVs like Hyryder and Grand Vitara top the list on paper, but real world mileage still depends heavily on your route and driving habits
- Budget hatchbacks like Celerio, Swift, WagonR, and Alto K10 deliver high mileage without hybrid pricing
When comparing cars, use ARAI numbers as a reference, then look at real world tests, and remember that traffic conditions matter as much as engine technology.
Also Read: How Many Years a Car Can Be Used in India: The Real Story
Bringing it all together
If you want a simple mental model for how to increase car mileage, use this
Choose a reasonably efficient car, keep it healthy, drive it like you pay for the fuel yourself, and avoid wasting energy through weight, drag, and unnecessary idling.
Do this consistently and your mileage will rise without feeling restrictive. You will quietly smile when others complain about fuel prices.