Real-world mileage vs ARAI: why your car never matches the number, and how to close the gap

By the TripRank team · 28 October 2026 · 7 min read

Every Indian car brochure carries an ARAI mileage figure. Almost no owner sees it on the road. That gap is normal, and understanding it is the first step to shrinking it.

Why the ARAI number is higher than what you get

The ARAI figure comes from a standard test cycle run under controlled conditions. It does not include air-conditioning load, heavy traffic, a full boot, rough roads or a heavy right foot. Published owner guides commonly put the shortfall at roughly 10 to 15 per cent on a quiet highway at 80 to 100 km/h and 20 to 25 per cent in the city, with heavy congestion plus AC pushing the loss towards 25 to 30 per cent. Treat those as typical ranges, not promises: your car, route and habits decide where you land.

What E20 petrol changes

Petrol in India is now commonly blended with 20 per cent ethanol (E20). Ethanol holds less energy than petrol, so a car tuned for older fuel can show a small drop in kilometres per litre. Check your owner's manual for E20 compatibility and do not assume a drop is a fault. What matters is comparing like with like: measure before and after using the same fuel.

How to measure your real mileage properly

1. Fill the tank to the first click of the nozzle. Note the odometer.
2. Drive normally. Do not top up in between.
3. Fill again to the first click at the same pump if you can. Divide the distance by the litres added.
4. Repeat for three tanks and average them. One tank is noise.

TripRank records distance, speed and an estimated fuel cost for every drive, so you can see which routes and which habits cost you most. Our fuel-saving habits guide lists what to try first.

The habits that close the gap

• Look further ahead. Easing off early costs far less fuel than braking late. Every hard brake throws away energy you paid for.
• Accelerate smoothly. Gentle, steady throttle through the gears beats sprinting to the next red light.
• Keep tyres at the pressure in your manual. Soft tyres add rolling resistance.
• Carry less. Remove roof racks and the junk in the boot.
• Cut idling. Long waits with the engine running return zero kilometres per litre.

Most of these show up in your driving score, which is why smoother drivers usually spend less on fuel.

Is it worth caring?

If you drive 1,000 km a month, a few points of mileage is real money over a year, and the habits that save it also reduce wear on brakes and tyres. The point is not hypermiling. It is knowing your own number and watching it move.

Want to see yours? Record your next drive with TripRank.