Introduction

Fuel efficiency is an important factor to consider when buying a car, as it directly impacts your overall travel expenses. Miles per gallon (MPG) is a widely-used measurement for fuel efficiency. In this article, we’ll explain how to calculate miles per gallon to help you determine your car’s fuel consumption.

What is Miles per Gallon (MPG)?

Miles per gallon (MPG) is a unit of measurement used primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom to express fuel consumption rates. It represents the number of miles a vehicle can travel on one gallon of fuel. The higher the MPG figure, the more fuel-efficient the vehicle is.

Calculating Miles per Gallon

To calculate miles per gallon, you need two key pieces of information:

1. The distance traveled (in miles)

2. The amount of fuel used or consumed (in gallons)

The formula to calculate MPG is straightforward:

MPG = Distance Traveled (miles) / Fuel Consumed (gallons)

Follow these simple steps to calculate your vehicle’s MPG:

Step 1: Record Your Odometer

Take note of your car’s initial odometer reading at the start of your trip or when the fuel tank is full.

Step 2: Fill Your Fuel Tank

Fill your tank until it reaches its maximum capacity. Be sure to record the number of gallons needed to fill up your tank in a notebook or on your phone.

Step 3: Drive and Record Your Odometer

Drive as you normally would and record the odometer reading when you next need to refuel.

Step 4: Fill Your Tank Again and Calculate

Refill your tank again and take note of the number of gallons needed for the second fill-up. Calculate the distance traveled by subtracting your initial odometer reading from your final odometer reading. Then, divide the distance traveled by the number of gallons used to determine your miles per gallon.

Example Calculation

Let’s take a look at an example to see how this calculation works:

Initial odometer reading: 45,000 miles

Final odometer reading: 45,250 miles

Fuel consumed: 10 gallons

Step 1: Find the distance traveled in miles

Distance Traveled = Final Odometer Reading – Initial Odometer Reading

Distance Traveled = 45,250 – 45,000

Distance Traveled = 250 miles

Step 2: Calculate miles per gallon (MPG)

MPG = Distance Traveled / Fuel Consumed

MPG = 250 / 10

MPG = 25

In this case, your car has a fuel efficiency of 25 miles per gallon.

Conclusion

Calculating your car’s MPG is a simple but important process that helps you accurately gauge its fuel efficiency. By knowing your vehicle’s MPG, you can make more informed decisions when choosing a car and planning trips. Moreover, tracking your MPG over time can help you identify issues with your car or changes in driving habits that may affect its fuel consumption.