E20 petrol contains 20% ethanol as compared to regular petrol that contains only 10% ethanol. The higher concentration of ethanol reduces the fuel’s energy. Eventually, you have to press the accelerator harder causing more fuel to burn. This reduces the fuel-efficiency which is a problem faced by most car owners who fill E20 petrol in their vehicle. In this blog, we will look at the techniques or methods to increase car mileage while using the E20 petrol.
What is E20 Petrol?
E20 petrol is the standard fuel enforced and advocated by the Indian government now. As it contains more ethanol (20%) than regular gasoline, it helps reduce the overall crude oil requirement of the country.
Also, E20 petrol is more environment-friendly than regular petrol because it reduces the smoke and tailpipe emissions. Due to these reasons, the government is keen on integrating this fuel in all the fuel stations. However, this has raised many concerns for the car owners.
One of their primary concerns is that the E20 petrol lowers a vehicle’s fuel-efficiency. However, there are some ways that you can implement to increase your car’s mileage even with the latest E20 fuel. We have discussed some of these prominent methods in the below sections.
Ways to Increase Car Mileage with E20 Petrol
These are some effective ways to increase car mileage with E20 petrol:
- Drive Smoothly
Pressing the accelerator pedal harshly forces the engine to deliver more power. This causes the fuel to burn faster which also decreases its fuel-efficiency. So, do not press the accelerator harshly while driving. Press it lightly and drive smoothly to improve your car’s mileage.
- Turn off the Engine When the Car Halts
Some cars come with an engine idle start/stop feature. This stops the engine automatically when your car halts at the signals or during heavy traffic. It also reduces the burden on your engine as idling the car unnecessarily results in fuel wastage.
If your car does not have the engine idle start/stop feature, you can turn off the engine manually using the key or start/stop button.
- Travel Light
Traveling light reduces the burden on the engine and leads to better fuel-efficiency. It also makes the vehicle aerodynamically stable which allows you to steer it smoothly without the need of extra acceleration. Therefore, make it a point to remove the bags and tools from the vehicle that aren’t required.
For instance, you can avoid carrying heavy luggage items while traveling long distances. This will not only make your vehicle lighter but also help you drive smoothly on uneven roads.
- Check Vehicle Compatibility
Cars released before 2023 are generally not E20 compliant. The engine of these cars is not tuned for this new fuel which might also affect their overall mileage.
The fuel-efficiency drop in the E20 compliant vehicles is only around 5% to 10% but with non-compliant engines, it may increase up to 20%. If your car isn’t E20 compliant, you can get it checked at the nearest service centre or garage. You can also consult a mechanic if there are minor adjustments that could help you get a higher fuel-economy.
- Keep the Fuel Pipes Clean
E20 petrol has higher cleaning abilities as the extra ethanol used in it acts as a solvent. It dissolves the deposits of rust, dirt, and grime and takes them to the fuel injectors. Using the fuel-cleaning additives can help to keep the injectors clean. This in turn will increase the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle.
- Regular Servicing Helps
Servicing also cleans-up of the air filters, spark plugs, and other parts. This makes your engine more fuel-efficient by streamlining the combustion process.
- Fill the fuel tank wisely
E20 petrol attracts moisture from the surroundings. The accumulated moisture in the fuel leads to separation of fuel and water. This affects the engine’s performance and leads to performance issues too. If you use your car regularly, keeping the fuel tank full can help. It will minimise the space for air and reduce the moisture build-up significantly.
However, if you use your vehicle rarely, the idle fuel will keep accumulating moisture in the fuel tank. Older vehicles often contain metallic fuel tanks that start rusting faster due to the moisture. This also leads to poor fuel-efficiency. Due to the accumulation of water, the engine struggles to find petrol in the ignition mode. This leads to improper starts and affects the overall mileage of your vehicle. Therefore, avoid filling too much fuel in the tank, especially if you drive rarely.
- Use E20-Compatible Engine Oils
Most manufacturers suggest engine oils that are compatible with their car models. These engine oils are engineered to be compatible with the E20 petrol. They are neither too thin nor too thick. Engine oils that are thick make the engine work harder which leads to higher fuel consumption and low fuel-economy. Thinner engine oils provide better fuel-efficiency but they do not protect the engine parts adequately.
On the other hand, the E20-compatible engine oils lead to better fuel-efficiency without hurting the engine’s parts. They can handle the additional ethanol content in the fuel and increase the fuel-economy irrespective of the conditions.
Also, change the oil strictly on schedule. Clean, fresh oil reduces internal friction, letting the engine spin easily and also saves your fuel.
- Monitor the Tyre Pressure
If the tyre pressure is low, it will create greater friction between the tyres and the road. As a result, your car will require greater power to accelerate which will ultimately result in faster fuel consumption. In the long run, this hampers the fuel-efficiency and performance of your vehicle.
Maintaining the right air pressure in the tyre is crucial not only for fuel-efficiency but for the overall safety of your vehicle. Most modern vehicles come with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that indicates when the tyre pressure is more or less than required.
Older cars might not have these alerts though the tyre pressure symbol blinks indicating an imbalance in the tyre pressure. Therefore, every time you refuel your vehicle, don’t forget to check the tyre pressure.
- Replace Spark Plugs
E20 fuel requires a strong and healthy spark to ignite properly. Your spark plugs provide that spark. When the spark plug becomes weak, dirty, or worn out, they do not ignite properly which also leads to fuel wastage.
Have your spark plugs inspected. If they are past their prime, replace them. It is a small investment that pays off in the long run.
- Maintain a Steady Pace
Maintaining a steady pace between 60 to 70 kmph is not only safe but also increases the fuel-efficiency of your vehicle. Going faster than that creates heavy wind resistance. Your engine will have to burn extra E20 fuel just to push through the air. Let the car coast and its own momentum shall carry it forward.
Use the gears smartly and smoothly. This does not make the engine struggle to achieve the right momentum and increases the fuel-economy in the long run.
- Avoid Cold Starts
When your car is idle for a long time, the engine requires a little time to warm-up. If you start the car in a hurry, it leads to a cold start. Cold starts affect the performance of the vehicle and put an additional load on the engine. Eventually, the fuel-efficiency drops, especially if you cold start the vehicle regularly. Instead, you must wait for your engine to warm up completely and start the vehicle only after a couple of minutes after activating the ignition mode.
When the vehicle is idle for long, it also increases the viscosity of the oil and leads to faster engine wear. As a good practice, you can avoid using a car for small errands or if possible you must plan multiple errands at once.
Final Thoughts
These were some tips for increasing the car mileage with the E20 petrol. While these specific E20 petrol hacks can help, maintaining a steady pace, and avoiding harsh driving will also increase your car’s mileage.
All that extra weight forces your engine to work harder. Take an afternoon to clean out your car. Remove anything you do not need for your daily drive. If you are still driving an old car, it is better to upgrade to an E20-compliant vehicle. You can also find some of the recently launched cars in the pre-owned car markets at much lesser rates. Spinny is the leading provider of used cars in India. Explore our website or app to find your preferred cars that offer a high mileage without costing you a fortune.
Related Blogs:
Toyota E20 Compatibility: Model-wise List & Warranty Notes
Renault E20 Compatibility: Model-wise List & Warranty Notes
Nissan E20 Compatibility: Model-wise List & Warranty Notes
FAQs on E20 Fuel and Mileage
Q. Does E20 petrol damage car engines?
If your vehicle is certified as E20-compatible, using this fuel will not damage the engine. For older cars, prolonged use may cause wear on components like rubber seals and fuel pipes. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines before switching fully to E20 fuel.
Q. How much mileage drop can I expect with E20 petrol?
On average, cars experience a 5-10% reduction in mileage. For instance, a vehicle giving 15 km/litre on regular petrol may deliver around 13.5-14 km/litre with E20. Driving habits and engine condition also influence E20 petrol mileage.
Q. Can old cars run on E20 fuel?
Yes, but with caution. Cars not designed for E20 may face reduced performance and faster wear of components. If your car is more than 5-7 years old, it’s wise to confirm compatibility with the manufacturer.
Q. Which cars are E20 compatible in India?
Many newer models launched after April 2023 are E20-ready. Brands like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, and Honda have started offering vehicles built for ethanol-blended fuels. Always verify compatibility in the user manual.
Q. Is there any cost benefit to using E20 petrol?
Ethanol is locally produced, which helps reduce India’s oil import bill. While this may not lower pump prices immediately, supporting E20 fuels contributes to long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Q. How often should I service my car with E20 fuel?
Stick to your manufacturer’s service schedule, but be more vigilant with parts like spark plugs, injectors, and filters. Since ethanol absorbs moisture, timely servicing ensures better mileage and smooth performance.
