How do you calculate miles per gallon (MPG)?

To calculate MPG, divide the number of miles traveled by the gallons of fuel used. Formula: MPG = Miles Driven ÷ Gallons Used. For example, if you drove 300 miles and used 10 gallons of gas, your MPG is 30. This measures your vehicle's fuel efficiency, with higher numbers indicating better fuel economy.

What is good gas mileage for a car?

Good gas mileage varies by vehicle type. For cars, 30-40 MPG combined is considered good, 40-50 MPG is excellent (often hybrids), and 50+ MPG is exceptional (typically plug-in hybrids or highly efficient vehicles). SUVs typically get 20-30 MPG, while trucks range from 15-25 MPG. Electric vehicles use MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).

Why is my actual MPG lower than the EPA estimate?

Actual MPG is often lower than EPA estimates due to several factors: aggressive driving (rapid acceleration and braking), excessive idling, carrying extra weight, improper tire inflation, using AC or heating heavily, short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up, poor vehicle maintenance, and driving in stop-and-go traffic versus highway conditions.

How can I improve my vehicle's gas mileage?

Improve MPG by maintaining steady speeds, avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, keeping tires properly inflated, removing excess weight, using cruise control on highways, keeping up with regular maintenance (oil changes, air filters), reducing AC use when possible, combining errands into one trip, and driving the speed limit (fuel efficiency typically drops above 50-60 MPH).

What's the difference between city MPG and highway MPG?

City MPG measures fuel efficiency in stop-and-go urban driving with frequent acceleration and braking, which uses more fuel. Highway MPG reflects steady-speed driving on open roads, typically yielding better efficiency. Combined MPG is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). Most vehicles achieve significantly better highway MPG than city MPG.