How to calculate gas mileage in miles per gallon

Learn the most precise way to calculate gas mileage in miles per gallon

The average fuel mileage indicator on your dash is never accurate. It can’t calculate gas mileage accurately because the fuel level sensor in your gas tank isn’t sensitive enough to be precise. So it’s always an estimate.

Many vehicles have an AVERAGE FUEL MPG display. Your vehicle’s computer ESTIMATES your average fuel MPG based on how you’ve driven your car in the past. But that method is never as accurate as calculating your actual fuel mileage yourself. Why?

Because the fuel tank level sensor isn’t that accurate. It can only measure fuel level to the nearest 1/8th tank, but that’s not good enough to get an accurate read of your actual MPG.

Here’s now to accurately calculate your gas mileage in miles per gallon

1) Fill your fuel tank until the nozzle shuts off by itself. Stop at the first click of the nozzle. Do NOT continue to fill.
2) Reset the trip odometer
3) Drive until you need more fuel. The more you get to the E mark, the more accurate your result will be.
4) Fill the tank again until the nozzle shuts off by itself. Stop at the first click of the nozzle. Do NOT continue to fill.
5) Note the number of gallons (including tenths of a gallon) from the gas pump display.
6) Divide the miles traveled (from the trip odometer) by the number of gallons needed to fill the tank.

EXAMPLE:
You traveled 362 miles since the last fill up based on the trip odometer
You filled the tank and it took 10.2 gallons of gas
362/10.2= 35.49 miles per gallon

Repeat the test four or five times to give you a better idea of your average MPG.

Note: MPG varies based on how you drive and whether you’re using winter or summer gas. MPG will ALWAYS go down in winter because the fuel is different and it takes more energy to warm a cold engine.

©, 2021 Rick Muscoplat