Gas Mileage Calculator

How to Improve Gas Mileage

Gas prices can be a significant strain on your budget, but there are ways to maximize fuel efficiency by adopting better driving habits and maintaining your vehicle properly.

Here are some effective strategies:

1. Drive smoothly. Avoid aggressive acceleration and braking, which waste fuel. This alone can improve your fuel economy by up to 40% in stop-and-go traffic.
2. Mind your speed on highways. Slowing down to around 55 mph can make a big difference. Each 5 mph over 60 mph is like paying an extra 15-20 cents per gallon for gas.
3. Keep your tires properly inflated. It's a simple step that many drivers overlook, but underinflated tires lower your gas mileage by about 0.3% for every 1 PSI drop. Check your tire pressure monthly and before long trips.
4. Lighten your load. Every 100 pounds of unnecessary weight in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by about 1%. Clean your trunk and remove that roof rack when you're not using it.
5. Use the right motor oil. Check your owner's manual and use the recommended grade of motor oil. Using the wrong one can lower your fuel economy by 1-2%.
6. Plan your trips. Combine errands into one outing to avoid unnecessary mileage, and if possible, plan your route to avoid heavy traffic areas.
7. Consider your AC use. In hot weather, using the AC can reduce fuel economy by up to 25%. At lower speeds, consider opening the windows instead. However, closed windows with AC can be more efficient at highway speeds than open windows.

Driving a fuel-efficient vehicle is the best way to maximize fuel efficiency in the first place, but these strategies can help you make the most of whatever you're driving.

How to Calculate Fuel Consumption

1. Record the details: Note the distance traveled (from your trip odometer) and the amount of fuel added to your tank.
2. Do the math: Divide the miles driven by the gallons of fuel used. This gives you your miles per gallon (MPG).

For example, if you drove 300 miles and used 10 gallons of gas, your fuel consumption would be 30 MPG (300 / 10 = 30).

If you prefer metric units, you can calculate liters per 100 kilometers. Multiply the liters of fuel used by 100, then divide by the kilometers driven.

For the most accurate results, calculate your fuel consumption over several fill-ups. This will help to account for variations in driving conditions and provide a more reliable average.