Easy Tips to Increase Your Hybird’s Fuel Efficiency

Hybrid cars are designed to deliver excellent fuel efficiency, but the way you drive and maintain your vehicle can make a noticeable difference. It is crucial to note that irrespective of the kind of hybrid vehicle that one might be driving, which may be either a sedan, an SUV or a hatchback, there are some simple ways of increasing fuel efficiency.

Reasons for Varying Fuel Efficiency in Hybrid Cars

Image source: Meineke

Although hybrid automobiles use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor in order to increase fuel economy, they can still have quite different fuel economies. Actually, there are many different things that may affect your car’s mileage per gallon, such as driving style, weather conditions, traffic, tire inflation, and even maintenance of the car. For instance, fast acceleration makes the gas engine burn more fuel. Likewise, traffic, low tire inflation, and bad car maintenance decrease fuel economy. Most hybrid drivers will find better fuel economy once they develop habits for improving the functioning of the electric motor and regenerative braking.

1. Smooth Acceleration

Perhaps one of the simplest techniques of increasing hybrid car efficiency is avoiding rapid acceleration. such as driving behavior, traffic situation, tire inflation, car maintenance, weather, etc., influence the MPG

Recommended practice:

• Accelerate gently when the traffic light turns green.
• Avoid hard acceleration when leaving a traffic signal.
• Begin driving slowly and make sure your motions are smooth.

2. Utilize Regenerative Braking System

Image source: Driving.car

The regenerative braking system is installed in the hybrid car so that energy can be generated through the application of brakes and the energy generated is stored in the battery. Do not make any sudden stops but try to foresee them and slow down in anticipation.

Benefits:

Battery charging in the hybrid car.

Wear reduction of the breaking mechanism.

Fuel saving.

3. Check That You Have Properly Inflated Tires

Image source: Telle Tire

When the tires are underinflated, there is an increase in rolling resistance, thus increased consumption of fuel by the engine. You must ensure that you check your tires’ inflation levels all the time since it will definitely affect your car’s MPG.

Quick Tip:

Check your tires’ pressure level at least once a month.

4. No Excessive Idling

Despite being more efficient in idling compared to traditional cars, idling is wastage of fuel anyway.Most contemporary hybrids automatically turn off the gasoline engine when at a stop, although minimizing idling is still important for maximizing efficiency. 

Examples:

• Turning off your car while waiting for a longer period of time. 
• Don’t let the engine of your vehicle idle for too long.

5. No Unnecessary Weight

Increased mass will increase energy required to move the car.Remove everything that is not needed from your trunk, baggage storage, and roof racks. A less heavy car will take less fuel. 

What to Remove?

• Sports equipment that is not required. 
• Tools meant for tough tasks.
• Baggage that is not loaded.

6. Travel Wisely

Image source: EVO India

Short journeys always tend to use more fuel than long journeys. Taking a planned journey path makes sure that the car gets warmed up and saves fuel. 

Tips:

• Plan your journey with the assistance of navigation applications.
• Drive when there is low traffic. 

7. Drive at Moderate Speeds

Gains in fuel efficiency are never achieved when driving fast.  Exceeding the speed limits of a highway greatly contributes to higher fuel consumption due to increased air resistance. 

Suggestion:

Employ cruise control in highway driving if traffic permits. 

8. Maintenance Conduct Routine 

Maintainance will be vital to achieving good fuel economy for the hybrid vehicles.The maintenance schedule will have to be followed as per the recommendations of the manufacturer so that optimum efficiency is derived from the engine, batteries, and other parts.

Maintenance Work to be Done:

• Changing of the engine oil. 
• Replacement of air filters. 
• Alignment of tires. 
• System maintenance.

9. Use Eco Mode for Driving

Hybrid cars have something called “Eco Mode,” which increases fuel economy. Eco Mode normally makes adjustments to the throttle, climate controls, and power output in order to conserve energy. 

Eco Mode is Best Used During:

• Driving through traffic.
• City driving.
• Long highway trips.

10. Reduce Use of Air Conditioner

                                                                                                 Image source: Carcility

An air conditioner consumes more energy and thus reduces fuel economy. Climate controls should be adjusted in a way that will enable you to increase your MPG.

Tips:

• Park the car in shady places. 
• Use window covers. 
• Open windows for ventilation. 

11. Track Your Driving Data

All information that is associated with the amount of fuel consumed by most of the hybrid cars that have reached the market at present time is available on the dashboard in real-time format. Eventually, it will give you a way to save fuel. 

Watch Out For:

• Average MPG. 
• Information on energy flow. 
• Battery level information. 
• Scores of driving efficiency. 

Conclusion

It is unnecessary to be radical when saving fuel in your hybrid car. Easy things such as gentle acceleration, correct tire pressure, effective braking, and appropriate routing will do the trick. The design of the system makes sure that the driver drives properly.Following these simple guidelines and maintaining your car properly will allow you to maximize fuel economy and save money. Consistency is the  key here Even following a few of these pieces of advice will help you maximize your car’s MPG.