Process, benefits and safety tips of installing CNG kit in petrol car

Nowadays, installing CNG kit in a petrol car has become a very effective and eco-friendly way to reduce fuel expenses. Due to rising petrol and diesel prices in India, lakhs of people want to convert their old or new petrol cars to CNG. This process not only saves up to 50-70% in monthly fuel cost, but CNG also reduces emissions.

It is important to do this work in a completely safe and legal manner, because CNG is a high pressure gas and wrong installation poses a risk of accident. Therefore use only ARAI/PESO certified kits and authorized workshops. Overall, if your car is suitable and you travel long distances regularly, this investment can be recovered in 1-2 years. Let us know the step-by-step process of installing CNG Kit.

Preparation and checking of the car

First of all check the suitability of your car for CNG kit. The age of the car should generally be less than 10-15 years and the engine condition should be good. Get a compression test, spark plug, ignition system and engine oil checked. In new cars with EFI, Sequential CNG Kit gives the best performance, while in old carburettor cars, Conventional or Venturi Kit is installed. Decide the cylinder size (12-18 kg) considering the car model, engine capacity and weight.

Select Certify CNG Kit and Installer

Choose only Government of India (ARAI/PESO/RTO) certified brands like Lovato, BRC, Tomasetto, Landi Renzo etc. Sequential Kit is perfect for 4-cylinder cars, which give better mileage and less power loss. Get the work done only from an authorized CNG fitting center which is ARAI approved. The price can range from ₹50,000 to ₹80,000 including the sequential kit, installation and cylinder. Avoid unauthorized places, as this increases the risk of legal problems as well as safety.

installation process

Lift the car on a lift and disconnect the battery. Fit the PESO certified CNG cylinder to the sturdy bracket under the boot or floor. Connect the cylinder to the regulator with a high pressure stainless steel pipe. Install the filler valve and safety valve outside (rear bumper or side). Fit the regulator unit in the engine bay, which converts the CNG at low pressure into vapor and connects to the engine coolant. In the Sequential Kit, install CNG injectors on the intake manifold of each cylinder and connect to the ECU. CNG/Petrol switch and wiring on the dashboard safely.

Testing, Tuning and Legal Approval

After installation, get high pressure leakage test done. Start the car in CNG mode and tune AFR, timing etc. with the scanner tool. Take a test drive in both modes. Then collect ARAI/PESO certificate, hydro test report and installation certificate from the fitting centre. Get RC updated by submitting Form 22A in RTO, in which fuel type should be written as CNG/Petrol. Also inform the insurance company.

Bonus Tip: Get cylinder hydro test done every 3 years and servicing is necessary every 10,000 km. In CNG mode, power may be reduced by 10-15%, but mileage increases by 50-80%. Never compromise on security and only get the work done from a trusted place. Due to good availability of CNG in cities like Delhi, this option proves to be very beneficial.