Gas mileage, measured in Miles Per Gallon (MPG), indicates how efficiently your vehicle uses fuel. Higher MPG means better fuel economy and lower operating costs.
How to Calculate MPG
- Fill your gas tank completely
- Record the odometer reading (starting miles)
- Drive normally until you need to refuel
- Fill the tank again and note gallons added
- Record new odometer reading (ending miles)
- Calculate: MPG = (Ending Miles - Starting Miles) ÷ Gallons Used
Average MPG by Vehicle Type
- Hybrid Cars: 40-60 MPG
- Compact Cars: 30-40 MPG
- Midsize Sedans: 25-35 MPG
- SUVs: 20-30 MPG
- Pickup Trucks: 15-25 MPG
- Sports Cars: 15-25 MPG
- Large SUVs/Trucks: 12-20 MPG
Tips to Improve Gas Mileage
- Drive Smoothly: Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking
- Maintain Speed: Use cruise control on highways
- Reduce Weight: Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle
- Check Tire Pressure: Keep tires properly inflated
- Regular Maintenance: Change oil, air filters, and spark plugs
- Avoid Idling: Turn off engine when parked
- Use AC Wisely: AC reduces MPG by 10-25%
- Plan Routes: Combine errands to reduce miles driven
- Close Windows: At highway speeds, open windows reduce MPG
- Use Recommended Gas: Follow manufacturer's fuel grade recommendations
Factors Affecting Gas Mileage
- Driving Habits: Aggressive driving can lower MPG by 33%
- Vehicle Load: Extra 100 lbs can reduce MPG by 1-2%
- Speed: MPG decreases rapidly above 50 mph
- Weather: Cold weather can reduce MPG by 15-30%
- Terrain: Hills and mountains decrease fuel economy
- Traffic: Stop-and-go traffic reduces MPG significantly
- Vehicle Condition: Poor maintenance lowers efficiency
Understanding the Numbers
EPA Ratings: New vehicles display EPA fuel economy estimates:
- City MPG: Stop-and-go urban driving
- Highway MPG: Steady-speed highway driving
- Combined MPG: Weighted average (55% city, 45% highway)
Real-World vs. EPA: Actual MPG often differs from EPA estimates due to driving conditions, habits, and vehicle condition. Track your own MPG over several tanks for accuracy.
Money Saving Tip: Improving fuel economy by just 1 MPG can save hundreds of dollars per year. If you drive 15,000 miles annually at 20 MPG with $3.50/gallon gas, improving to 21 MPG saves approximately $125/year.