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How does one measure "miles per gallon" properly?

MustangSVT

MustangSVT

Lifer
Each time you buy gas, fill the tank completely (though not to overflow) and note the number of gallons. Then write down the miles showing on your car's odometer. Divide the number of miles you drove since your last fill-up by the number of gallons you put in. For example, suppose you fill your tank with 14 gallons. You've driven 350 miles since your last fill-up. So 350 divided by 14 is 25 miles per gallon (mpg).
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The part I dont understand is.. unless you drive the car until you are completely out of fuel, how are u supposed to know the amount of fuel you have used? and I dont think reading the fuel gauge is accurate enough (or is it?)?

are there any other "more" accurate ways?
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
The part I dont understand is.. unless you drive the car until you are completely out of fuel, how are u supposed to know the amount of fuel you have used? and I dont think reading the fuel gauge is accurate enough (or is it?)?

are there any other "more" accurate ways?
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Miles driven divided by amount of fuel pumped into the tank at refill.
 
If you fill up the tank and then drive 300 miles.
Then however much gas you put it has taken you 300 miles, so you just read this number from the pump.

No need to run the car until empty
 
Fill the tank, write down the mileage, on the next fill up record miles traveled, the amount of fuel to refill it and compute the mileage figure.
 
Fill up your tank and drive for at least 3-4 hours or just before your tank is about to run out. Note the number of miles and when you fill her up, see how much gas is taken by the car. You should get your answer from there and it will be pretty accurate.
 
The key is to note the number of gallons you put in as well. If you start with a full tank, drive, then put in 10.5 gallons, you must have used 10.5 gallons. Note the mileage you used (trip counters work great for that!) between fill-ups and do the math.

It's pretty accurate. Your odometer should be reasonably trustworthy, as well as the display on the gas pump.
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
Each time you buy gas, fill the tank completely (though not to overflow) and note the number of gallons. Then write down the miles showing on your car's odometer. Divide the number of miles you drove since your last fill-up by the number of gallons you put in. For example, suppose you fill your tank with 14 gallons. You've driven 350 miles since your last fill-up. So 350 divided by 14 is 25 miles per gallon (mpg).
Click to expand...

The part I dont understand is.. unless you drive the car until you are completely out of fuel, how are u supposed to know the amount of fuel you have used? and I dont think reading the fuel gauge is accurate enough (or is it?)?

are there any other "more" accurate ways?
Click to expand...

you know how much fuel because you just filled the tank

example

2/28/03 milage: 23094 fuel volume: 15.5 gallons

3/4/03 milage 23394 fuel volume: 10 gallons

milage drove: 300
fuel used: 10 gallons

MPG: 300/10 = 30

😀
 
Fill tank. Record mileage. Drive till low on gas. Fill tank. Record milage and gallons used to fill tank.

Take new mileage, subtract old mileage. That is the distance driven.
Take Distance Driven, divide by number of gallons to fill tank, that is your miles per gallon.
 
Originally posted by: XZeroII
keep driving until you run out. make sure to keep a spare gas can with you.
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I've run out in an old car before, it didn't run quite right for a while after that 😱. After a new fuel filter and just basically running it it's doing ok now.
 
what everybody else said. also the most important part for an accurate MPG is to fill the take to the exact same spot everytime. I usually fill it all the way up so when i screw the cap on some gas is pushed out. That way I know exactly how many gallons i burned since my last fill up. I only do this on long road trips.
 
The problem is in Oregon they pump your gas for you and so it would be a different amount everytime. You'd pretty much just have to run it out of gas and put in say 2 gallons and then run it out again.
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Average your calculations over 6 months.
 
Originally posted by: xerosleep
The problem is in Oregon they pump your gas for you and so it would be a different amount everytime. You'd pretty much just have to run it out of gas and put in say 2 gallons and then run it out again.
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Tell them to fill up the tank... you know the pump turns off automatically when it's full right?
 
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Originally posted by: xerosleep
The problem is in Oregon they pump your gas for you and so it would be a different amount everytime. You'd pretty much just have to run it out of gas and put in say 2 gallons and then run it out again.
Click to expand...

Tell them to fill up the tank... you know the pump turns off automatically when it's full right?
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LOL, I guess he didn't.😛
 
Originally posted by: WinkOsmosis
Originally posted by: xerosleep
The problem is in Oregon they pump your gas for you and so it would be a different amount everytime. You'd pretty much just have to run it out of gas and put in say 2 gallons and then run it out again.
Click to expand...

Tell them to fill up the tank... you know the pump turns off automatically when it's full right?
Click to expand...

Well, they usually squeeze more in to get to a round number so that they don't have to count off a bunch of change, but it's not enough to significantly affect the calculation.
 
Originally posted by: MustangSVT
yes.. once again, ive proven myself to be a jackass 😛 thanx 🙂
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at least you get to do it somewhat anonymously....just pray no one you know ever sees this thread.
 
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