Simple ways to get better fuel efficiency without you having to be adept at the mechanics that power your two wheeler, so that you can drive past the fuel pump more often than you stop there.
- KEEP THE PRESSURE ON- Driving with optimal tyre pressure makes a huge difference to your two wheeler’s fuel efficiency. Reduced tyre pressure means increased contact area between the tyre and the road. As a result friction between the rubber of the tyre and the road increases, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Over-inflated tyres will mean a lower consumption, but at the cost of grip and ability to disperse water on the road. Make sure the tyres are inflated at the manufacturer recommended levels and you’ll be fine. And don’t forget to check them once a week, always in the morning.
- SMOOTH OPERATOR- Be as smooth as possible with the two wheeler’s controls. Treat the accelerator and the brake pedals with respect. Rough speedy acceleration and sudden brakes might be more fun on the road but harms your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
- CONSOLIDATE TRIPS- Two short trips will inevitably consume more fuel than one that is slightly longer. This is because your two wheeler consumes extra fuel each time you crank the engine. Combine as many trips as possible to keep fuel efficiency high. As a bonus, you’ll also be saving on traveling time.
- KEEP IT SHUT- A two wheeler’s fuel efficiency has a lot to do with how it parts air on the move. In other words, aerodynamics. High speeds can impact fuel efficiency and result in the tank draining out quicker due to increased drag.
- ALL GEARED UP- Shift to the highest possible gear without the engine knocking. A two wheeler consumes more fuel in lower gears when accelerating. If the engine’s not pulling, shift down instead of pressing the throttle. Shifting up at 2,000 rpm (1,500 rpm for diesel) gives the best mix of speed and economy. On an automatic with manual shift, short shift to save fuel.
- Avoid Over-revving- Over-revving can affect mileage negatively. Hard acceleration consumes more fuel. Hence, if you are willing to improve two wheeler mileage and save fuel, try to accelerate slowly and gradually.
- Use Gears Correctly- Changing gears correctly is essential to ensure high mileage. This applies to both manual and automatic transmission two wheelers. Use gears at the correct speed, which will help save fuel.
- Check Wheel Alignment- Misaligned two wheelers can adversely affect two wheeler mileage and fuel economy. Incorrect alignment can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 10%. Also, it can affect tyres as it would wear prematurely. Symptoms like a vibration in the steering wheel can result in uneven tyres, further leading to reduced two wheeler mileage. Hence, look closely at your tyres or visit any garage to ensure the tyres are properly balanced and aligned.
- Leave the Air-Con Turned Off- Unless it is a very high temperature outside, do not turn on the two wheeler aircon unnecessarily. Excessive usage can put a lot of strain on the engine and consume more fuel (especially at low speed). This is applicable for heated windscreens, demisters, etc.
- Maintain an Optimal Speed Limit- The list of tips to improve the mileage of a two wheeler includes maintaining an optimal speed limit as specified in the vehicle manual. As per research, driving at 80 mph uses up to 25% more fuel than 70 mph.
