Overview

Gas Mileage refers to the relationship between the distance a vehicle travels and the amount of fuel it consumes. It is a critical metric for determining the operational efficiency of an automobile. In the United States and the United Kingdom, this is typically measured in Miles Per Gallon (MPG), whereas countries using the metric system, such as Canada and most of Europe, utilize Liters per 100 Kilometers (L/100km).

Tracking gas mileage is essentially a ratio and proportion problem. By monitoring these figures, drivers can detect mechanical issues early. For instance, a sudden drop in fuel economy may indicate low tire pressure, a clogged air filter, or engine misfires.

Calculation Formulas

The mathematical formula varies depending on the unit system selected. It is important to note that the fuel mileage calculator logic differs between “efficiency” (distance per unit of fuel) and “consumption” (fuel per unit of distance).

MPG (Efficiency)

Used primarily in the US and UK. A higher number indicates better economy.

L/100km (Consumption)

Used in the metric system. A lower number indicates better economy.

Improving Efficiency

Vehicle efficiency is not solely determined by the engine type. Driving habits play a significant role. Rapid acceleration and heavy braking can lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds. Furthermore, excess weight in the vehicle acts similarly to a high BMI in health metrics; the heavier the load, the more energy (fuel) is required to move it.

Common factors affecting mileage:

• Aerodynamics: Roof racks and open windows increase drag.
• Idling: Idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel than restarting the engine.
• Maintenance: Using the recommended grade of motor oil can improve mileage by 1-2%.

References

Conversions used in this tool: 1 US Gallon = 3.785 Liters, 1 Imperial Gallon = 4.546 Liters, 1 Mile = 1.609 Kilometers.