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Whats Gas Mileage on a Car and How to Calculate it?

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Published on: April 10, 2025

Gas mileage indicates the number of miles the car can travel on a gallon of gas. Fuel efficiency is one of the most important factors nowadays when choosing a vehicle to buy. So, automakers do their best to improve MPG (miles per gallon) and offer vehicles with advanced fuel efficiency. Improved efficiency can save you money and impact your carbon footprint. Hence, owning an automobile with a good MPG is the smartest choice you can make. Surely, there are a lot of details when we talk about fuel consumption; for example, there is a big difference between highway and city miles. Moreover, various factors are related to each other, such as types of fuel, types of vehicles, fuel octane, and many more.
In the blog below, we will define the concept of fuel economy, learn how to calculate it, reveal the most desirable carmakers in terms of fuel consumption, and give away tips and tricks that help to cut off fuel costs and minimize the environmental impact.

Whats gas mileage on a car?

Gas mileage, also referred to as Mpg (miles per gallon), is the distance the vehicle can travel on a single gallon of fuel; in other words, it measures fuel efficiency. It serves as a key indicator in evaluating a vehicle’s operating costs. Its standard has been changing constantly throughout history due to environmental factors or the oil crisis.
The tipping point that led to the establishment Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards was oil crisis starting in 1973. The regulation required automakers to achieve a minimum average fuel economy. in the 80s , fuel efficiency benefited from the more advanced technologies automakers used; automobile design became more compact, and engine and fuel injection systems improved; all of these benefited the fuel consumption economy. From the early 2000s, gas prices rose up, and climate change became the top concern for many countries. In the U.S., the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 was introduced. The main objective of the document was to require automakers to achieve a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2020. After 2010, there was a breakthrough in technologies, which resulted in the production of electric and hybrid cars. Surely, it was a beneficial invention. However, MPG standards and their importance are still relevant in the modern world.

Automakers continue to make an effort to improve automotive design and adopt start-stop systems and other technologies in order to improve gas mileage. So, it was always an important factor and continues to stay like that; only the standards change based on the consumer’s demand and environmental situations.
Let’s see what is a good way to calculate it.

How to calculate MPG

Calculating MPG is quite easy, but it requires a few steps. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  1. Fill up the tank fully and, at the same time, reset the trip meter to zero. If your car doesn’t have it , you can just make notes of odometer reading before and after the trip.
  2. Drive the car until the tank needs to refill.
  3. When it comes to the time to refill the tank, make notes of how many gallons were spent before refilling.
  4. At the same time, learn how many miles are displayed on the trip meter.
  5. Divide the driven miles by the number of gallons used.

Let’s make a calculation based on the actual figure. For example, let’s say you drive 450 miles while you used 15 gallons, in this case, the calculation is as follows: 450÷15 = 30MPG
30 Mpg is considered quite good for automobiles when they are not hybrids or electric. But does it only depend on vehicle type? What are other determiners for MPG? Let’s take a closer look them in the upcoming paragraph.

calculate MPG

What factors influence fuel economy?

Several factors can influence fuel consumption more than anything. Those are listed below:

Driving habits

Driving habits influence any vehicle in various ways. They can even indicate its lifespan. As the owner of the vehicle, you should pay attention to how mindfully you drive. Fast acceleration, excessive speeding, and hard braking may lead to greater fuel consumption than in situations where you avoid such actions regularly. On the other hand, while it may seem harmless, frequent idling has similar effects on fuel usage. The more the automobile idles, the more fuel is wasted unnecessarily.

Vehicle horsepower

Horsepower is defined as a measurement of engine power, which calculates the amount of work it can do in a given time. High horsepower indicates that the vehicle excels at acceleration and has good capacity, speed, and overall performance. Hence, the higher the horsepower, the more fuel is consumed. So, if you are not performance- or speed-oriented when buying an automobile, choose one with lower horsepower that will be more cost-effective in terms of fuel consumption.

Environmental conditions

Environmental conditions also affect gas mileage. The engine needs more time to warm up in cold weather, hence consuming more fuel. Mountainous roads are challenging for the vehicle, and MPG is lower when traveling in harsh environmental conditions.

Engine condition

Ignoring engine maintenance influences the general lifespan and also helps achieve good fuel efficiency. Air filter cleaning/changing, spark plug replacement, and oil changes are vital steps in engine maintenance. Otherwise, the engine performs poorly, and gas mileage is quite higher than usual.

Tires

Tires are also crucial components for general performance, as well as fuel economy. Always do your best to make sure that the tires are in proper condition. Check and see if they have maintained proper pressure. For every 1 PSI drop in tire pressure, fuel efficiency can decrease by approximately 0.2%, for every 1 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) drop in tire pressure. Tires should be well-aligned and balanced for working smoothly and even distribution. Rotating tires from time to time is also worth considering. The key to maintaining and extending the lifespan of tires, in the long run, is to invest in quality pieces from the very beginning.
Surely, this is not a complete list of factors influencing the fuel efficiency. In fact, every aspect of the automobile is directly or indirectly related to gas mileage. Now, let’s take a look at methods that really help boost fuel efficiency.

What are simple ways to boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency?

You can improve the MPG of your SUV or truck if you pay attention to the different aspects and also take good care of your property. Consider the following tips:

Purchase a cost-effective automobile

The major point is to choose a vehicle that boasts satisfying MPG, of course, if you don’t prioritize speed and high capacity. If you take a look at recent ranking, Toyota manages to stay at the top position. According to Edmunds, out of 10 most efficient cars, there are three Toyota models: Toyota Prius – 57 MPG, Toyota Camry – 51 MPG, Toyota Corolla Hybrid – 50 MPG. The ranking also includes Lexus, Kia, Hyundai, and Honda. , In modern cars, advancements in technology and the possibility of producing hybrid and electric cars enable makers to offer fuel economy for consumers.

cost-effective automobile

Take care of the engine and tires

As we mentioned in the paragraph above, ignoring the maintenance of engines and tires may become the primary reason for exaggerated fuel consumption. So, don’t overlook timely oil changes and tire care if you want to save money on gasoline. If your problem is not finances, just take care of the major components of your automobile for safety and reliability in the first place.

Be mindful driver

When we say mindful driving, it means avoiding excessive idling, aggressive driving/ acceleration, or braking. All the above mentioned makes your engine suffer, consuming more energy, hence gas mileage is at its worst when you have “bad” driving habits.

Remove heavy objects from the car

Heavy items are not desirable in the automobile if you want to have good fuel efficiency. It is the best natural way to boost higher efficiency. Surely, when you go on vacation with your family, it’s hard to lessen the amount of luggage and weight of the items. However, there are also situations when you just keep some items in the car that you don’t need, and you can remove them easily.

Don’t use the air conditioner unnecessarily

An air conditioner is an extreme necessity, especially when it comes to a hot climate or the summer season generally. Conditioners are another item that relies heavily on fuel energy; the more you use them, the higher the fuel consumption. So, if you manage, it would be best to limit the usage of this car.
As we discussed in the previous paragraphs, fuel economy is a top priority not only for cost-effectiveness but also for contributing to the effort to improve environmental conditions. Hence, you need to stay properly informed about your MPG. What would you say if I told you that you could have a test drive to calculate miles per gallon without displaying unnecessary miles on the odometer?

How do I test the car and calculate MPG without recording unnecessary miles?

The best way to test the automobile in a controlled environment while stopping to record miles is to use an advanced tool called a mileage blocker. It is an extraordinary device that unconditionally halts the mileage recording process from all control units. It comes with a mobile application, which makes it user-friendly. To put is briefly, the device performs flawlessly, you can enjoy its benefits:

  • Altered mileage remains untraceable;
  • Have several modes;
  • The tool is available for most car makers and models;
  • Doesn’t cause flaws in the CAN Bus System;
  • The installation instruction is provided;
  • It is made of quality components;
  • It is legal in a controlled environment;

So, If you love the idea of testing your automobile without putting in unnecessary miles, you can choose and purchase it now from the Super Kilometer Filter website. For additional information and inquiries, you can reach support and the customer center.

Takeaway

So, gas mileage is a vital aspect for every car owner, and that is why automakers constantly try to produce automobiles with improved MPG. Their effort is beneficial for all parties: consumer demand is high for such cars and it is satisfied, and on the other hand, they satisfy environmental standards. However, don’t forget that maintaining good efficiency takes effort from the owner’s side, too. Just keep in mind!

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