How to Calculate Gas Mileage on a Car

Calculating gas mileage is important for several reasons, more recently for the "Cash for Clunkers" government program. Calculating gas mileage is good to compare car models when purchasing a new car. Fuel efficiency is becoming increasingly important as gas prices rise. In order to improve fuel efficiency, you must first know the gas mileage on a car.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pen and paper
• odometer
• calculator

1. It's easiest to calculate gas mileage starting when filling the car with gas from an empty tank. Start with your gas tank as empty as possible- when the gas light goes on in the dashboard console, that usually means you have one to two gallons of gas left in the tank. It's a good idea to fill up when the gas light goes on, if not before.

2. When you pull up to the gas pump, write down the number on the odometer in the dashboard console. Typically the odometer is located to the left or center of the steering wheel. Write the number on a slip of paper and put the paper in your glove compartment so that you can refer back to it later.

3. Fill the tank. Proceed to drive as usual on the tank of gas until you are nearly empty again. It's a good idea to note how many gallons of gas your gas tank holds as you fill up with gas. If you are unsure, you can refer to your car's user manual to find out.

4. When you go to fill up with more gas, bring out the slip of paper with the odometer reading written on it and write the new reading above the old one. Use a calculator if necessary to subtract the old reading from the new one. This number is the number of miles you have driven since you last filled the tank. Refer to the number of gallons your gas tank hold to divide the number of miles your car went on a full tank of gas by the number of gallons of gas your gas tank holds. This is your MPG, or miles per gallon.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use your current gas mileage calculation to utilize the best ways to improve gas mileage.
• It's also important to know gas mileage when you compare car models.

[karileighk]

on 7/16/2009 This is very useful info!