How to Increase Kia Seltos Mileage

The Kia Seltos stands out in the Indian SUV market with its stylish design, feature-packed cabin, and multiple engine-gearbox options. It’s great for both city drives and highway trips. However, many owners struggle to match the ARAI mileage figures in real-world conditions. Factors like traffic, road quality, driving style, and fuel quality affect actual mileage. Thankfully, with a few smart driving habits, you can boost your Kia Seltos mileage and get closer to those official numbers.

Kia Seltos ARAI Mileage

The Kia Seltos comes with multiple engine and transmission options, each with its own ARAI-certified mileage. These figures are tested under ideal conditions and help compare fuel efficiency across variants. Here’s a quick look at the mileage offered by different Seltos models.

Petrol Variants

• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol Manual: 17.0 km/l
  
• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol CVT (Automatic): 17.7 km/l
  
• 1.5L Turbo Petrol iMT (Clutchless Manual): 17.7 km/l
  
• 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT (Automatic): 17.9 km/l

Diesel Variants

• 1.5L Diesel Manual: 20.7 km/l
  
• 1.5L Diesel Automatic (Torque Converter): 19.1 km/l

These figures indicate that the diesel manual variant offers the highest ARAI-certified mileage, making it an attractive option for those prioritizing fuel efficiency. 

Kia Seltos City Mileage

In real-world urban driving conditions, the Kia Seltos mileage often differs from the ARAI-certified figures due to factors like traffic congestion, driving habits, and road conditions. Here’s a breakdown of observed city mileage across different variants:

Petrol Variants

• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol Manual (MT): Users report city mileage ranging from 10 to 13 km/l, depending on driving habits and traffic conditions.
  
• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol CVT (Automatic): City mileage figures typically fall between 9 to 12 km/l, influenced by factors like stop-and-go traffic and AC usage.
  
• 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT (Automatic): Due to its performance-oriented nature, city mileage can be lower, averaging around 8 to 10 km/l.

Diesel Variants

• 1.5L Diesel Manual (MT): Owners have reported city mileage between 14 to 16 km/l, benefiting from the diesel engine’s efficiency.
  
• 1.5L Diesel Automatic (AT): City mileage for this variant typically ranges from 12 to 14 km/l, varying with driving conditions and maintenance.
  

These figures highlight the impact of urban driving conditions on the Kia Seltos mileage, emphasizing the importance of driving habits and vehicle maintenance in achieving optimal fuel efficiency.

Factors that Impact Kia Seltos City Mileage

Several factors can influence the Kia Seltos mileage in urban driving conditions:

• Stop-and-go traffic: Frequent acceleration and braking in congested areas increase fuel consumption.
  
• Short trips: The engine may not reach optimal operating temperature, leading to inefficient fuel use.
  
• Driving habits: Aggressive acceleration, hard braking, and rapid lane changes can reduce mileage.
  
• Air conditioning usage: Continuous use of the AC, especially at maximum settings, adds load to the engine.
  
• Under-inflated tyres: Low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance, causing the engine to work harder.
  
• Excessive idling: Keeping the engine running while stationary consumes fuel without covering distance.
  
• Poor maintenance: Dirty air filters, old engine oil, and worn spark plugs can decrease fuel efficiency.
  
• Heavy loads: Carrying unnecessary weight in the vehicle can strain the engine and reduce mileage.
  
• Use of low-quality fuel: Inferior fuel can lead to incomplete combustion, affecting performance and efficiency.
  
• Frequent use of accessories: Using electrical accessories like defoggers and heated seats increases the electrical load, indirectly affecting fuel consumption.

How to Improve Kia Seltos City Mileage

Improving Kia Seltos mileage in city traffic requires a mix of smarter driving and consistent maintenance. Here are car-specific strategies that can help:

• Drive in Eco mode: If your variant supports it, Eco mode limits throttle response and boosts fuel efficiency.
  
• Use higher gears when possible: Shift up early in manual variants to keep RPMs low and reduce engine strain.
  
• Avoid aggressive driving: Smooth acceleration and braking can improve mileage by up to 20%.
  
• Limit AC usage: Use ventilation when possible or run the AC at lower settings.
  
• Reduce idling time: Turn off the engine at long red lights or in heavy jams when stationary.
  
• Maintain tyre pressure: Check weekly to ensure tyres are inflated to the recommended PSI.
  
• Lighten your load: Remove unnecessary cargo from the boot and avoid permanent roof carriers.
  
• Plan routes smartly: Use navigation apps to avoid high-traffic zones and reduce time spent idling.
  
• Get regular oil changes: Fresh engine oil reduces friction and helps maintain combustion efficiency.
  
• Clean your air filter: A clogged air filter can choke airflow and reduce engine performance.

Kia Seltos Highway Mileage

On highways, the Kia Seltos mileage generally improves compared to city driving, thanks to consistent speeds and fewer stops. However, actual mileage can vary based on driving habits, vehicle load, and road conditions.

Petrol Variants

• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol Manual (MT): Drivers have reported highway mileage between 17 to 19 km/l, depending on driving style and traffic conditions.
  
• 1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol CVT (Automatic): Highway mileage typically ranges from 16 to 18 km/l, influenced by factors like cruising speed and AC usage.
  
• 1.5L Turbo Petrol DCT (Automatic): Due to its performance-oriented nature, highway mileage can vary between 16 to 17 km/l, depending on driving behavior.
  

Diesel Variants

• 1.5L Diesel Manual (MT): Owners have reported highway mileage between 18 to 20 km/l, benefiting from the diesel engine’s efficiency.
  
• 1.5L Diesel Automatic (AT): Highway mileage for this variant typically ranges from 17 to 18 km/l, varying with driving conditions and maintenance.

These figures highlight the impact of highway driving conditions on the Kia Seltos mileage, emphasizing the importance of driving habits and vehicle maintenance in achieving optimal fuel efficiency.

Factors that Impact Kia Seltos Highway Mileage

While highway driving typically offers better fuel efficiency, the following factors can still affect Kia Seltos mileage:

• High cruising speeds: Driving above 100-110 km/h increases air drag and fuel use.
  
• Frequent overtaking: Sudden acceleration and braking waste fuel.
  
• Incorrect gear use: High RPMs or low gears reduce efficiency.
  
• Heavy vehicle load: More weight means more engine effort.
  
• Poor tyre pressure: Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance.
  
• Fuel quality: Low-grade or adulterated fuel reduces combustion efficiency.

Avoiding these common habits can help improve your real-world mileage.

How to Improve Kia Seltos Highway Mileage

To get the most out of your Kia Seltos mileage on long drives, here are some highway-specific tips that can make a significant difference:

• Maintain a steady speed: Drive at 80-90 km/h for best fuel efficiency.
  
• Use cruise control: Helps maintain consistent speed and saves fuel.
  
• Shift early (manual variants): Change gears around 2,000-2,500 RPM.
  
• Avoid hard acceleration: Accelerate smoothly to conserve fuel.
  
• Use Eco mode: Optimizes throttle and gear shifts for better mileage.
  
• Maintain tyre pressure: Check before trips to reduce rolling resistance.
  
• Service regularly: A well-maintained engine delivers better efficiency.

These simple habits can help you get closer to the Seltos’ ARAI-rated mileage.

Summary

The Kia Seltos balances performance, comfort, and fuel efficiency well, but real-world mileage often falls short of ARAI figures due to traffic, braking, and AC use in cities, or inconsistent speeds on highways. Simple habits like maintaining tyre pressure, using Eco mode, timely servicing, and smart trip planning can boost mileage. It’s all about mindful driving and proper maintenance.

FAQs about Kia Seltos Mileage