How to increase Honda City mileage

The Honda City has long been a benchmark in the midsize sedan segment, renowned for its refined performance, spacious interiors, and fuel-efficient engines. Whether you’re navigating through city traffic or cruising on highways, achieving optimal fuel efficiency is a common goal for many owners. While the official ARAI figures provide an ideal benchmark, real-world conditions often present challenges that can impact actual mileage.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the ARAI-certified mileage figures for the Honda City, compare them with real-world user experiences, and offer practical tips to help you maximize your car’s fuel efficiency. Whether you’re driving the petrol manual, automatic, or hybrid variant, understanding the factors that influence mileage and adopting efficient driving habits can lead to significant fuel savings over time.

Honda City City Mileage

In real-world urban driving conditions, the Honda City tends to deliver slightly lower mileage than its ARAI-certified figures due to frequent braking, idling at signals, and stop-and-go traffic.

• Petrol Manual: Around 12–13 km/l
  
• Petrol CVT: Around 11–12 km/l
  
• Hybrid e:HEV: Around 18–21 km/l

These values are based on user reports from metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where traffic congestion significantly affects performance. Despite this, many users have noted that the Honda City mileage in city conditions is still among the best in its segment, especially for the hybrid variant.

Factors that Impact Honda City City Mileage

Several real-world factors influence the city mileage of the Honda City, especially in Indian traffic conditions:

• Driving habits: Sudden acceleration, hard braking, and inconsistent speed reduce mileage.
  
• AC usage: Running the air conditioner in peak hours increases fuel consumption.
  
• Traffic conditions: Bumper-to-bumper traffic with constant idling reduces efficiency.
  
• Tyre pressure: Low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance and decreases fuel economy.
  
• Payload: Carrying excess luggage or more passengers regularly affects performance.
  
• Frequent short trips: The engine doesn’t reach optimal operating temperature, leading to higher fuel use.

How to Improve Honda City City Mileage

To get better Honda City mileage in city driving, here are some practical tips specific to this model:

• Use Eco Mode (if available): Newer Honda City variants come with an Eco Mode that adjusts throttle response and air conditioning load to save fuel.
  
• Smooth driving: Maintain a steady pace and avoid aggressive starts or stops to minimize fuel wastage.
  
• Minimize AC usage: Use the air conditioning judiciously, especially in mild weather conditions.
  
• Maintain tyre pressure: Check tyre pressure weekly and keep it at manufacturer-recommended levels.
  
• Regular servicing: A well-maintained engine with clean filters and proper oil levels runs more efficiently.
  
• Avoid unnecessary idling: Turn off the engine during prolonged stops, such as at railway crossings or long red lights.
  
• Declutter the car: Remove excess luggage from the boot and unnecessary roof carriers or accessories that add weight or drag.

Honda City Highway Mileage

The Honda City mileage on highways is typically higher than in city driving, thanks to smoother traffic flow and fewer stops. According to multiple user reviews and automotive tests:

• The petrol-manual variant delivers around 17–18 kmpl on highways.
  
• The petrol-CVT (automatic) variant gives approximately 18–19 kmpl.
  
• The diesel variant (discontinued in newer models) used to offer a highway mileage of 23–25 kmpl under optimal conditions.

Do note that these are real-world estimates and can vary based on driving habits, road quality, and weather.

Factors that Impact Honda City Highway Mileage

Several factors can affect the highway mileage of your Honda City. Here’s what makes a difference:

• Driving speed – Maintaining speeds between 80–100 km/h usually gives the best fuel efficiency. High-speed driving increases wind resistance and fuel consumption.
  
• Overtaking frequency – Frequent overtaking and sudden acceleration-deceleration cycles reduce fuel economy.
  
• AC usage – Continuous use of air conditioning on long trips can slightly reduce mileage.
  
• Load weight – Carrying excess luggage or passengers adds strain to the engine, reducing mileage.
  
• Tyre condition and pressure – Under-inflated or worn-out tyres increase rolling resistance and reduce highway fuel efficiency.
  
• Wind resistance – Roof carriers or open windows at high speeds affect aerodynamics and fuel consumption.

How to Improve Honda City Highway Mileage

To get the most out of your Honda City on long drives, try these practical tips:

• Cruise at steady speeds – Use cruise control if available, or manually maintain a consistent speed around 80–90 km/h.
  
• Avoid aggressive overtaking – Accelerate smoothly and avoid frequent lane changes or unnecessary revving.
  
• Plan pit stops wisely – Fewer breaks mean less idling and better overall mileage.
  
• Minimize AC load – Use eco mode for AC or switch it off occasionally in cooler weather.
  
• Declutter your car – Remove heavy items or roof boxes unless necessary to reduce weight and drag.
  
• Use higher gears – On highways, driving in higher gears reduces engine RPM and conserves fuel.
  
• Check tyre pressure before trips – Properly inflated tyres reduce drag and increase mileage.

Summary

The Honda City is admired for its balance of performance and efficiency, but even the best mileage figures can dip if the car isn’t driven or maintained properly. While the ARAI-rated mileage offers an ideal benchmark, real-world usage often falls short due to urban traffic, road conditions, and individual driving habits.

By following simple practices, like timely servicing, proper tyre maintenance, driving in the correct gear, and avoiding sudden acceleration, you can bring your Honda City mileage closer to the official figures. Whether you’re navigating city congestion or cruising on highways, smart fuel-saving habits can lead to long-term savings and a smoother ride.

FAQs about Honda City Mileage