Rising fuel costs and increasing environmental concerns play a major role in determining the choice of fuel source. Among the many alternatives available, CNG stands out for addressing both cost and sustainability. If you want to maximise the value you get from every rupee spent on CNG, here are practical solutions to get best mileage in CNG car.
Discover 10 enlightening tips on the problem and its solution to achieve a high average mileage in CNG cars.
Tips to Increase CNG Mileage
CNG car mileage can be increased with the help of the following tips:
Tip 1: Maintain Proper Tyre Pressure
Tyre pressure is an essential aspect to consider when looking to increase CNG mileage per kg. The low tyre pressure results in increased contact area between the tyre and the road, increasing friction and resistance. This leads to more fuel consumption and reduced mileage.
Solution:
- Ensure that the tyre pressure is properly maintained.
- Check tyre pressure at least once every two weeks, especially in the morning when tyres are cold, and at least once a week or before long trips.
- Always maintain pressure as recommended in your car’s manual.
- You can use a digital tyre pressure gauge for quick home checks.
- The addition of nitrogen helps decrease the number of air refills
Tip 2: Ensure Thoughtful Gear Usage
Applicable for both manual and automatic cars, proper gear usage is one of the answers to how to get best mileage in CNG car. Acceleration without gear leads to increased load on the engine, which results in increased fuel consumption. Hence, linear acceleration should be maintained to minimise fuel consumption.
Solution:
- Avoid frequent gear changes. When you need to accelerate, gradually boost your speed by transitioning smoothly from lower gears to higher ones.
- Make sure to maintain a speed of approximately 75 to 95 km/h in top gear. Additionally, maintaining higher gears (such as 4th, 5th or 6th) while travelling at constant speeds aids in reducing fuel consumption.
- Use engine braking to decelerate instead of depending only on the brakes. This aids in saving fuel and reducing wear on the braking system. It also reduces the wear and tear of tyres.
Tip 3: Avoid Keeping the Car Idle
An idling engine can consume up to 0.2 to 0.5 litres of fuel per hour. That’s fuel burnt without moving an inch. In other words, the running engine without a car in motion is fuel wasted without offering returns in the form of mileage. This happens especially in city traffic. The minutes add up and drain your fuel tank faster.
Solution:
- Make informed decisions depending on the waiting hours. Anticipate the waiting time beforehand and turn off the engine when required. Consider turning off if you’re stopping for more than 60 seconds.
- Avoid warming up the engine excessively in CNG vehicles, as modern engines are designed to quickly achieve optimal operating temperatures and lubrication.
Tip 4: Ensure Proper Clutch Condition
The worn-out clutch in the gearbox will always lead to reduced car mileage. It not only degrades your driving experience but will also lead to significant fuel consumption. A poor clutch will impair the transfer of power from the engine to the wheels. The direct effect is lowered mileage.
Solution:
- To ensure optimal CNG car mileage, make sure that the quality and volume of transmission fluid meet the necessary standards outlined in your vehicle manual.
- If the clutch is degraded, have it inspected by a reliable mechanic and, if feasible, replace it.
- Change the clutch assembly as advised (usually every 90,000–128,000 kilometres).
Tip 5: Use an Accurate and Clean Spark Plug
The spark plug for a CNG vehicle has a shorter gap between the plug’s metallic tip and the spark source. It is responsible for generating the spark required for fuel combustion. Improper or non-functional spark results in incomplete combustion, which wastes the fuel and thus compromises the mileage. Studies have shown that misfiring spark plugs can lead to a reduction in fuel efficiency of up to 30%.
On the contrary, a good quality spark plug will ensure the gas fuel-air mixture ignites completely and the fuel is not left unburned. It results in higher CNG mileage.
Solution:
- Installing a high-quality, CNG-compatible spark plug from a reputable brand is a must. It should be as specified in your user manual.
- It is recommended to replace the spark plug every 15,000 to 20,000 kilometres.
Tip 6: Plan the Route
This is the simplest answer to the question of how to improve CNG mileage. Planning the route and time of travel with reduced distance and traffic reduces the waiting time and hence the unwanted load on the engine. Improper or unplanned routes lead to increased fuel consumption, braking and acceleration, unnecessary stops, and inefficient driving patterns.
Solution:
- Simply identify the shortest and smoothest route to your destination. You can consider using Google Maps or other apps to check traffic conditions before leaving your place.
- Connect with others who have tread the path before to identify the one that offers minimal hurdles, reduced distance, and the best quality roads.
- Optimize your route to help your engine run steadily. This tip is best for CNG cars where mileage peaks on consistent drives.
Tip 7: Keep the Air Filter Clean
A dirty air filter prevents clean, oxygen-rich air from entering the engine, forcing it to work harder. This, in turn, leads to increased fuel consumption due to lower combustion efficiency in the chamber. Thereby, decreasing the average mileage of your CNG cars.
Solution:
- The air filter must be clean enough to ensure the air-to-fuel ratio exhibits good efficiency.
- It is best that the air filter be regularly checked. It should be cleaned after driving every 5000 kilometres.
- Replace your air filters at least every 19,000 to 24,000 km. It can be sooner in dusty environments.
Tip 8: Keep the Windows Up
The wind coming into the car offers resistance to the car’s movement. It increases the aerodynamic drag, leading engines to work harder and increasing the CNG consumption. The best aerodynamics for any car can only be achieved with its windows rolled up.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) discovered that lowering the windows in an SUV decreased its fuel efficiency by 8%. On a more streamlined and aerodynamic sedan, fuel efficiency dropped by 20% when the windows were open.
Solution:
- It is recommended to keep the windows up at highway speeds (especially above 60–70 kmph) to save fuel.
- Use your car’s ventilation system or air conditioning (AC) efficiently instead. As the AC might affect the mileage, try the fan-only mode in moderate weather.
Tip 9: Decrease Excess Weight
Excess weight in the car, such as an increased number of passengers or unnecessary items in the boot, puts more pressure on the engine. This results in an increased consumption of engine oil and fuel in CNG cars, thus reducing their mileage.
The U.S. Department of Energy confirms that reducing 100 pounds (~45 kg) from your car can increase fuel economy by about 1%.
Solution:
- Remove the unnecessary items, including heavy luggage and excess baggage.
- Remove roof racks or carriers when not in use. They might add to the weight and drag.
- Clear the boot regularly.
Tip 10: Identify Leakage
Leakage in the CNG kit will directly lead to a loss of gas. Microleakage may go unnoticed, but it can reduce the car’s mileage and impact overall fuel expenses.
Solution:
- Proper and regular inspection for leakage and malfunctions must be a part of the routine to ensure maximum average mileage of CNG cars.
- Also, pay heed to the gas smell or any unusual hissing sounds.
- Avoid DIY fixes when you come across/suspect leakages. Leaks require professional handling.
Conclusion
Increasing the CNG car mileage isn’t a difficult task. Mindful decisions coupled with smarter driving habits are the key to achieving maximum efficiency. Regular checkups and using the right quality and quantity of transmission fluid, spark plugs, fuel and engine oil are important for CNG cars. Good planning and proper driving also help boost the average mileage.
For any further assistance you face in your CNG vehicle or any other queries, get in touch with us for expert advice. If you want to learn about CNG engine oil, click on the link for details.