How can I increase my petrol car mpg?
To boost miles-per-gallon from a petrol car, combine careful maintenance, efficient driving, and reducing drag and weight. Small, consistent changes can add up to meaningful savings over time.
Maintenance and mechanical efficiency
A well-tuned engine and properly inflated tires are the foundation of good fuel economy. The list below covers the core actions you can take to keep every litre of petrol doing its job.
Core maintenance practices
- Keep tires inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure for all seasons; underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and waste fuel.
- Use the correct engine oil grade and follow the recommended change intervals; clean oil reduces friction and helps the engine run efficiently.
- Replace the air filter as needed; a clean air intake improves engine breathing and can improve mpg, especially in dusty conditions.
- Check spark plugs and oxygen sensors as part of routine servicing; misfires or faulty sensors can waste fuel and reduce performance.
- Ensure the fuel injectors and fuel system are clean and functioning; Creeking or clogged injectors can lower efficiency. Follow service guidance on injector cleaning if advised.
- Keep the vehicle’s alignment in good condition; misalignment increases drag and tire wear, slightly reducing mpg.
Regular maintenance translates into steadier, more efficient engine performance and less wasted fuel over time.
Driving habits to save fuel
How you drive makes a big difference. The following practices help you translate engine efficiency into real-world mpg gains.
Smart driving techniques
- Accelerate smoothly and avoid rapid throttle starts; gradual acceleration uses less fuel and reduces strain on the drivetrain.
- Anticipate traffic to minimize braking; coasting to slow down and letting the car decelerate naturally uses less energy than aggressive braking.
- Use cruise control on suitable highways to maintain a steady speed, which can improve mpg by reducing unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.
- Keep to moderate speeds; driving at high speeds dramatically lowers fuel efficiency in most petrol cars.
- Minimize idling; if you’re stopping for more than a minute or two, shut off the engine when it’s safe to do so and appropriate for the situation.
- Plan trips to combine errands and reduce overall distance; fewer short trips where the engine never fully warms up waste more fuel.
Adopting these habits often yields the most noticeable, immediate mpg gains, especially for drivers who spend a lot of time in urban settings.
Aerodynamics, weight, and accessories
Drag and extra weight sap fuel efficiency, particularly at highway speeds. The following measures help keep your car slicing through air with less effort.
Drag reduction and weight management
- Remove roof racks, bike carriers, or roof boxes when not in use; they dramatically increase aerodynamic drag.
- Limit unnecessary cargo and keep the interior tidy to reduce weight; extra weight demands more power and fuel.
- Keep windows closed at highway speeds; use climate control strategically rather than leaving windows open in fast traffic.
- Avoid aftermarket aero devices unless they’re proven to improve efficiency for your specific model; some can add drag instead of reducing it.
Lightness and clean aerodynamics remain simple, long-term ways to sustain better mpg without changing how you drive.
Fuel planning and vehicle choice
Smart planning and adhering to manufacturer recommendations help ensure every drop of petrol goes farther. This section covers how to optimize fuel use through planning and proper equipment choices.
Best practices to plan around fuel use
- Use the fuel grade recommended by your manufacturer; higher octane fuel rarely improves mpg unless the engine specifically requires it.
- Plan routes to minimize backtracking and repetitive trips; consolidated journeys reduce total fuel consumption.
- Keep the fuel tank above a quarter full to ensure consistent fuel delivery and avoid stressing the fuel pump during long drives.
- If your car features eco-mode, start-stop, or other fuel-saving technologies, use them as intended by the manufacturer.
- Follow the service schedule and consider periodic fuel-system maintenance if advised by your technician; clean injectors and sensors support optimal combustion.
Practical planning and using the car’s built-in efficiency features can compound savings over time, especially on longer or more frequent trips.
Weather, climate, and driving context
Fuel efficiency is also influenced by external factors like temperature, air density, and driving conditions. While you can’t control the weather, you can adapt your approach to mitigate its impact.
- Cold start penalties: engines are less efficient when cold; if possible, combine short trips to reduce repeated cold starts, or use pre-conditioning where available.
- Avoid high-load air conditioning on very hot days; use the system intelligently, and consider timing cooling cycles to minimize fuel use.
- In city driving, prioritize smooth, predictable operation and early anticipation of lights and signals to minimize rapid acceleration and deceleration.
Recognizing these contexts helps you apply the right tactics when conditions aren’t ideal for fuel economy.
Summary
Boosting petrol car mpg comes from a mix of consistent maintenance, disciplined driving, and thoughtful load management. Prioritize a well-tuned engine, proper tire pressure, and clean air systems; drive smoothly and plan trips to minimize wasteful mileage; reduce drag and weight with mindful packaging and roof-rack removal; and use manufacturer-recommended fuel and features to maximize efficiency. By combining these approaches, you’ll typically see incremental gains that add up over time.
