Automobile Desk – Amidst the ever increasing prices of petrol and diesel in the country, CNG vehicles are considered an economical and sustainable option. However, due to prolonged use and neglect in maintenance, the mileage of the car gradually starts falling. If your CNG car is no longer giving the same average as before, then there is no need to visit an expensive garage for it. By changing some small habits to daily driving and basic maintenance of vehicles, you can increase the mileage of your vehicle to a great extent.
One of the main reasons for decline in mileage is wrong tire pressure. Due to the CNG cylinder, there is already extra weight in the rear of the vehicle. In such a situation, if the air pressure in the tires is low, then the rolling resistance between the road and the tire increases significantly. Due to this, the engine has to use double the power to pull the vehicle forward, which leads to faster fuel consumption. To avoid this problem, go to a petrol pump every week or regularly and get the correct air pressure in the tires checked as recommended by the company.
The functioning of the engine directly depends on the cleanliness of the air filter. The vehicle engine requires clean air to combust gas properly. When dust and dirt accumulate in the air filter, not enough oxygen reaches the engine, which affects the combustion of gas. Get the air filter cleaned after every 5,000 kilometers traveled or get it replaced immediately if it becomes very dirty. Moreover, CNG requires more spark to burn than petrol. If the spark plugs are old or worn out, the vehicle will be hesitant to pick up and waste gas. Therefore, checking spark plugs and tuning the CNG kit from time to time is very important.
Driving style plays the most important role in deciding the fuel consumption of your car. If you repeatedly press the accelerator suddenly or apply the brakes rapidly, the gas consumption from the cylinder increases significantly. Always drive with a calm mind and change gears at the correct RPM. Driving the car at a constant speed of 50 to 70 km per hour (economy speed) puts less pressure on the engine and there is a direct benefit in mileage. Avoid the habit of racing unnecessarily or applying brakes suddenly.
While filling CNG in the vehicle, special attention should be paid to the day temperature. According to the laws of science, gas becomes more dense (compressed) when the temperature decreases. Therefore, try to go to the CNG station early in the morning or late at night. During cold weather or low temperatures, more gas comes into the cylinder with the right pressure, which helps in covering more distance per kilogram. By including these basic things in your daily routine, you can reduce your daily travel expenses to a great extent.
