Home
Back
Fuel Economy Formula:
| From: | To: |
Fuel economy calculation measures how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel. It's typically expressed as miles per gallon (MPG), which represents how many miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel.
The calculator uses the MPG formula:
Where:
Explanation: This simple division gives you the miles per gallon, which is a standard measure of fuel efficiency in the United States.
Details: Calculating MPG helps vehicle owners understand their fuel consumption patterns, estimate fuel costs for trips, compare vehicle efficiency, and identify potential mechanical issues that may be reducing fuel economy.
Tips: For accurate results, reset your trip odometer when filling up your tank, then note the miles traveled and gallons needed at your next fill-up. Enter both values as positive numbers.
Q1: What is considered good MPG?
A: This varies by vehicle type. Generally, 25+ MPG is good for most cars, while 15-20 MPG is typical for trucks and SUVs. Electric vehicles use MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Q2: How can I improve my vehicle's MPG?
A: Regular maintenance, proper tire inflation, reducing excess weight, avoiding aggressive driving, and using cruise control on highways can all improve fuel economy.
Q3: Why does my calculated MPG differ from the manufacturer's rating?
A: Manufacturer ratings are based on standardized laboratory tests. Real-world driving conditions, traffic, weather, and driving habits all affect actual MPG.
Q4: How does MPG relate to fuel cost?
A: Higher MPG means lower fuel costs per mile. A vehicle with 30 MPG uses half the fuel of a vehicle with 15 MPG to travel the same distance.
Q5: What's the difference between MPG and L/100km?
A: MPG (miles per gallon) is used in the US, while L/100km (liters per 100 kilometers) is used in most other countries. Higher MPG is better, while lower L/100km is better.