Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency in multiple units and determine the cost per mile.
MPG stands for miles per gallon. You calculate it by dividing the number of miles driven by the gallons of fuel used: MPG = Miles Driven ÷ Gallons Used.
MPG (miles per gallon) is used primarily in the US. L/100km (liters per 100 kilometers) and km/L (kilometers per liter) are metric equivalents used worldwide. Higher MPG is better, but lower L/100km is better.
Drive at steady speeds, avoid rapid acceleration, maintain proper tire pressure, reduce excess weight, keep your engine well-maintained, and avoid idling. Highway driving typically yields better MPG than city driving.
EPA estimates are based on standardized driving tests. Real-world MPG varies based on driving conditions, weather, traffic, vehicle load, driving habits, and maintenance. City driving is typically 10-20% less efficient than highway.
Keep records of your fuel fill-ups and the odometer reading. At the next fill-up, calculate miles driven since the last fill-up, then divide by gallons added. Apps like Fuelly help automate this tracking.