With the rise in the petrol and diesel prices, CNG is the most cost-effective fuel for cars.  Along with being affordable, CNG is an environment-friendly fuel too. CNG care have proven to give better mileage and help in saving on the fuel cost. CNG powered cars are hybrid cars that can run on both petrol and CNG. With more than 200 IOAGPL CNG stations across India, fuelling your car with natural gas has become easy and hassle-free.

With the increase in demand for CNG cars, many car manufacturers have launched CNG-Cars. However, a petrol-fuelled car can be converted to a CNG car by retro-fitting a CNG kit. Here are some handy tips to maintain your CNG car.

It is recommended that you choose a shaded area to park for car. The scorching heat of the sun can raise the temperature of the CNG cabin, which can lead to evaporation of the gas. Natural gas evaporated faster in heat. Always park your car under shade so that your cylinder lasts longer.

While many cars manufacturers have launched CNG cars, which are better and more reliable, if you want a to convert your petrol-fuelled car into a CNG vehicle, it’s important that you opt for an authorised CNG kit from a company-certified dealer only. Avoid installing local / non-branded CNG kits in your car as it can be unsafe.

Spark plugs are one of the main components of a car’s engine as they are responsible for the combustion of fuel. Hence, it is important that you ensure proper functioning of the spark plugs of your car. Checking regularly and replacing them when needed is an important step in maintain your CNG car.

When choosing spark plugs, choose high quality, CNG-compatible ones only. Spark plugs of low quality or incompatible spark plugs can cause fire or damage the car’s engine.

Mechanics suggest that you change your car’s spark plugs every 10,000 kilometres or six months, whichever is earlier.

A crucial step in taking care of your CNG car is checking and replacing air filter at regular intervals. The air filter of your car helps in the smooth functioning of its engine as it prevents dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the engine. A clean air filter ensures smooth functioning of the engine and also improves the mileage of your car.

A crucial step in taking care of your CNG car is checking and replacing air filter at regular intervals. The air filter of your car helps in the smooth functioning of its engine as it prevents dust, dirt, and other contaminants from entering the engine. A clean air filter ensures smooth functioning of the engine and also improves the mileage of your car.

The connecting valve between the air filter and intake manifold is the throttle body of a car. A clean throttle body means smooth air intake during combustion and hence, helps in effortless acceleration of the car. Needless to say, a dirty throttle body can impact the functioning of the engine.

If you notice poor fuel economy, rough idling, sluggish acceleration, and bumpy stalling, it means the throttle body requires cleaning. You can use water spray or a cleaner to remove the dirt and debris accumulated in the throttle body.

As CNG is a highly combustible gas it is critical to check for leakages during maintenance of your CNG car. You can also check for the leakage by yourself. Although natural gas is odourless and colourless, IOAGPL adds a chemical to give it a pungent smell so that you can detect leakages if any. If you notice any such smell, you should call a CNG mechanic immediately. Also, remember to change the valves of your car’s CNG cylinder when they wear out.

When you refuel your car’s CNG cylinder, you should ensure that you maintain the prescribed pressure. Overfilling a CNG cylinder can be very dangerous as it can cause an explosion. During summer gases tend to expand inside the cylinders, hence an an overfilled cylinder can prove to be fatal. It is suggested that you fill up to two-thirds of capacity during summer.

A valid compliance plate is not only a legal requirement but also a critical safety requirement. Not fulfilling this requirement can lead to penalties. Get your CNG car tested periodically by an authorised agency, which will issue a test certificate and a compliance plate.

Get your CNG tank inspected at regular intervals by an authorised service facility. Checking for any damages, corrosion, or cracking, changing valves regularly, and checking the tank expiry date, are some important points to note while inspecting CNG tank.

These are the best CNG car maintenance tips to ensure proper safety and smooth functioning of your car.