Want to get more miles out of every litre of gasoline? You don’t need a fancy gadget or a big budget – just a few smart habits and a bit of maintenance. Below are the most effective, easy‑to‑apply steps that will help any Fiat, Alfa Romeo, or Maserati run leaner and cheaper.
Engine health is the foundation of fuel efficiency. A dirty air filter forces the engine to work harder, which burns more fuel. Check your filter every 10,000 miles and replace it if it looks clogged. The same goes for spark plugs – worn plugs cause misfires and waste fuel. Swapping them out at the manufacturer‑recommended interval (usually every 30,000‑40,000 miles) can improve mileage by up to 5%.
Oil matters, too. Using the viscosity grade your owner’s manual suggests reduces internal friction. If you own a high‑performance Italian model, consider low‑friction synthetic oil; it can shave a couple of percent off the fuel burn.
How you drive is the single biggest factor in fuel consumption. Gentle acceleration and early upshifts keep the engine in its sweet spot. Try to stay below 80 km/h on highways – every 10 km/h over that can add around 7% to your fuel use.
Coasting to a stop, instead of braking hard, lets the engine use less power. When you approach a red light, lift off the gas and let the car roll; you’ll notice smoother stops and a lower fuel count.
Plan trips to combine short errands into one longer drive. Cold engines use extra fuel for the first few minutes, so fewer cold starts mean less wasted petrol.
Most modern Italian cars come with an “Eco” or “Fuel‑Save” mode. Activate it when you’re cruising on flat roads or in city traffic. The system trims throttle response and adjusts shift points to keep RPMs low.
Keep the tyre pressure at the recommended level – under‑inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and can cost you up to 3% more fuel. A quick drop of a few PSI makes a noticeable difference.
If your car has a start‑stop feature, let it do its job. It turns the engine off at idle and restarts in a second, cutting fuel waste during stop‑and‑go traffic.
Every extra kilogram needs more energy to move. Remove roof racks, spare tyres, or heavy items you don’t need for daily drives. Even a small roof box can increase drag and add 5–10% fuel consumption at highway speeds.
Keep windows closed on the motorway. Open windows create turbulence that forces the engine to work harder. If you need ventilation, use the car’s recirculation setting instead.
Inspect the fuel system for leaks. A leaking fuel injector can waste a litre an hour without you noticing. Simple visual checks and listening for hissing noises can catch problems early.
Finally, don’t ignore the cooling system. Overheating forces the engine to run richer (more fuel) to protect itself. Keep coolant levels correct and flush the system as per the service schedule.
By combining these maintenance tips with smarter driving, you’ll see a real bump in mileage without compromising the excitement of your Italian ride. Start with one change today – whether it’s checking tyre pressure or easing off the accelerator – and watch the fuel gauge improve.
