Tips to Increase Your Car’s Fuel Economy and Save Money (2026 Guide, Tailored for Multan, Pakistan)
With petrol prices in Pakistan remaining high (around PKR 250–260 per liter in early 2026, with taxes and levies pushing costs up despite some fluctuations), every kilometer counts. Improving fuel economy by 10–30% is realistic through simple changes in driving habits, maintenance, and smart choices—especially valuable in Multan’s hot, dusty climate and traffic-heavy roads.
These tips apply to petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars (very popular in Pakistan like Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Chery Tiggo HEV). Hybrids can hit 18–25+ km/L with optimization, while non-hybrids gain 2–5 km/L easily.
Driving Habits: The Biggest Impact (Up to 20–33% Savings)
- Drive Smoothly and Gently Avoid aggressive acceleration (“flooring it”) and hard braking—the #1 fuel waster. Accelerate gradually (imagine an egg under the pedal), anticipate stops, and coast when possible. In hybrids, gentle inputs maximize regenerative braking and electric mode use. Savings: 5–33% at highway speeds, 5% in city.
- Maintain Steady Speeds Use cruise control on highways (M5 motorway runs) for consistent pace. Peak efficiency often between 80–100 km/h; speeds over 100–110 km/h drop mileage sharply. Avoid stop-go traffic when possible—plan routes via Google Maps for less congestion.
- Minimize Idling Turn off the engine if stopped >30–60 seconds (e.g., at signals or waiting). Idling burns 0.25–0.5 liters/hour; hybrids often auto-stop efficiently.
- Use Eco Mode (If Available) In hybrids or modern cars (Toyota, Honda, Chery), Eco mode softens throttle response and optimizes systems for better mileage.
- Limit AC Use Wisely In Multan’s 40–45°C+ summers, AC hurts efficiency (up to 10–20% drop). Use recirculation mode, set to 24–26°C, and park in shade. At low speeds (<50 km/h), open windows instead; at highway speeds, AC is better than open windows (less drag).
Maintenance Tips: Keep Your Car Efficient
- Check Tire Pressure Monthly Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance (up to 3–5% loss). Check cold pressure per door sticker (usually 32–35 PSI); dusty Multan roads cause faster drops. Proper inflation can add 0.6–3% mileage.
- Regular Servicing and Filters Change engine oil/filter every 5,000–8,000 km (use synthetic in heat). Replace air filter sooner in dusty conditions (every 10,000 km or less)—clogged filters hurt efficiency. Clean fuel injectors and check spark plugs/O2 sensors for big gains (up to 40% in older cars).
- Remove Excess Weight and Drag Clear out unnecessary items (extra 100 kg reduces mileage by 1–2%). Remove roof racks when not needed (5%+ penalty). Keep windows up at high speeds.
- Warm Up Efficiently Don’t idle long to warm up—drive gently after starting. Modern engines warm faster while moving.
Pakistan/Multan-Specific Savings
- Fuel Quality & Filling — Use reputable stations (PSO, Shell) to avoid bad fuel clogging injectors. Fill early in the day (cooler temps = denser fuel, slight savings). Track prices via apps or sites for cheapest pumps.
- Hybrid Optimization — Drive regularly to keep battery charged; use EV mode in city traffic. Gentle braking regenerates energy—many owners report 20+ km/L in hybrids with care.
- Route Planning — Avoid peak traffic hours in Multan; shorter, smoother routes save fuel.
Quick Summary: Potential Savings
- Smooth driving + steady speeds: 10–20% improvement.
- Proper maintenance (tires, filters, oil): 5–10%.
- Weight/drag reduction + smart AC: 5–10%.
- Combined: Easily 15–30% better economy, saving thousands of PKR monthly for high-mileage drivers.
Track your mileage (fill tank, reset trip odometer, calculate km/L) to see improvements. Many Multan drivers with Toyota hybrids achieve impressive figures by following these.