In independent city tests of more than 35 cars, real mileage fell 11% to 55% short of the claimed figure. Highways were kinder. A Toyota Glanza manual returned 22.70 km/l against a claimed 22.35 km/l.
Money makes the gap real. At Rs 102.12 a litre in Delhi (October 21, 2026), a Honda Elevate manual that claims 15.31 km/l but returned 13.57 km/l in the city costs about Rs 7.53 a km, not the Rs 6.67 the label implies.
Good car mileage tips go after the part of that gap you control. Below is how to improve car mileage with seven measured fixes, then four tricks that do nothing.
Why car mileage tips start with the lab test
The claimed figure comes from ARAI, the Automotive Research Association of India. The car sits still on rollers for about 19 minutes, covering a simulated 10 km at an average of roughly 31 km/h. The test leaves out air-conditioning, passengers, potholes, gradients and your right foot. Lab figures are not real-world numbers. They rank cars well and predict your fuel bill badly.
The table lists the seven car mileage tips and the effect each one has been measured to have.
| Fix | Measured effect | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Calm driving, steady speed | Avoids a 10% to 40% loss in traffic, 15% to 30% on highways | Every trip |
| Sensible AC use | AC added 14% to 47% fuel use in one test | Hot days |
| Engine off at long stops | Idling burns about 1 to 2 litres an hour | Signals, level crossings |
| Light load, no roof box | About 1% per 45 kg, roof box 2% to 25% | Boot, roof |
| Correct tyre pressure | 0.6% on average, up to 3% | Monthly check |
| Maker's oil grade | 1% to 2% | Each service |
| Scheduled servicing | Protects the gains above | Owner's manual |
Figures come from US government and national laboratory tests plus one ARAI journal study. They overlap, so do not add them up. Your car, fuel and roads will differ.
\*Note: Rules are shifting. A draft rule would make makers publish a second figure with the AC on from October 1, 2026, and ARAI is set to adopt the stricter WLTP test from April 1, 2027.*
How to increase car mileage without opening your wallet
Calm driving: the biggest lever
Hard acceleration and late braking cut mileage by 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic and 15% to 30% at highway speeds, according to US government figures. Look ahead, ease off early and let the car roll. Mileage also drops fast above 80 km/h, so a steady cruise beats a sprint.
The AC, your quiet fuel thief
In an ARAI journal study, three Indian cars burned 14% to 47% more fuel with the AC running, in a chamber at 30 to 35 degrees Celsius with simulated sun. Smaller engines lost more.
Set the temperature a little higher. Do not stay idle with the AC on before you drive. Windows down works at low speed. At highway speed, use the AC.
Idling and the one-minute rule
Idling burns a quarter to half a US gallon an hour, about 1 to 2 litres, depending on engine size and AC use. A restart costs about 10 seconds of fuel. US government guidance says switching off engine saves money on any stop longer than a minute.
Dead weight and the roof box
An extra 45 kg costs about 1% of mileage. A large roof box costs 2% to 8% in the city, 6% to 17% on the highway and 10% to 25% at 105 to 120 km/h. Empty the boot. Take the box off between trips.
Car mileage tips for the workshop visit
Tyre pressure, a five-minute job
Correct pressure improves mileage by 0.6% on average and up to 3% in some cases. Each 1 psi drop across all four tyres costs about 0.2%. Use the pressure on the driver's door sticker, not the number on the tyre sidewall. Check monthly.
Oil grade, a small win for free
The maker's recommended grade improves mileage by 1% to 2%. It costs nothing extra at a service. Use the grade printed in your owner's manual.
Does mileage increase after first service?
We found no measurement of a jump after the first service, so we cannot promise one. A service protects the gains above. Wrong wheel alignment, dragging brakes and engine or fuel-system faults all cut mileage, and a service can catch them. Small habits increase car mileage more than any one visit.
Petrol car mileage booster claims that do nothing
Four popular car mileage tips fail the evidence.
Additives and boosters. The research behind this blog found no published test showing a mileage gain from an additive. A petrol car mileage booster is an unproven spend.
Premium fuel. It gives little to no benefit in normal driving. Higher octane helps only engines built for it, so follow the manual. From April 1, 2026, petrol pumps must also sell E20 petrol (20% ethanol) rated at least 95 RON, a measure of knock resistance.
Warming up by idling. It burns fuel, and a restart costs about 10 seconds of it.
A fresh air filter. On fuel-injected petrol and diesel engines, a new filter does not improve mileage. It may improve acceleration.
What the numbers cannot tell you
E20 petrol: Ethanol holds less energy per litre, so some drop is real. Reported estimates run from a few per cent to about 7%, and sources disagree. The government says driving habits, tyre pressure, servicing and AC use matter more than fuel type. If your car is older than E20, check the manual.
Age: We found no India-specific data on how much mileage falls as a car ages.
Before you change a thing
Measure first. Fill the tank, note the odometer, drive normally, then refill. Divide distance by litres. A 500 km trip on 35 litres gives about 14.3 km/l. Repeat over several fills, and do not trust the dashboard alone. A baseline is the first step in how to get good mileage in car, because you can see what each change does.
Start with the free fixes. Calm driving and AC habits cost nothing and carry the biggest numbers.
A Final Word
Your brochure is a lab score. Your road mileage is a habit. The best car mileage tips are the dull ones: drive calmly, ease off the AC, switch off at long stops, keep tyres at the sticker pressure and service on schedule. That is how to increase car mileage without buying anything. Measure three tank fills, then change one habit at a time.
FAQs
What are the best car mileage tips?
Drive calmly, stay under 80 km/h on highways, keep tyres at the sticker pressure, go easy on the AC and switch off at stops longer than a minute. Aggressive driving alone costs 10% to 40% of mileage in stop-and-go traffic.
How to improve car mileage in city traffic?
Look ahead, ease off early and brake gently, because aggressive driving cuts mileage by 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Switch off at stops longer than a minute and keep the AC temperature a little higher.
How to get good mileage in car with the AC on?
Set the temperature a little higher, skip idling with the AC on, and use the AC at highway speed instead of open windows. In an ARAI journal study, the AC added 14% to 47% to fuel use in three Indian cars.
Does mileage increase after first service?
Not by a measured amount. We found no study showing a jump after the first service. A service helps by keeping the right oil grade (1% to 2%), correct tyre pressure and a fault-free engine.
Will premium petrol increase car mileage?
Usually no. Premium fuel gives little to no benefit in normal driving. It helps only engines built for higher octane, so use the grade in your owner's manual.
