Since gas prices are rising higher and higher and downward graphs are few and far between, it’s clear that fuel efficiency will continue to be a big deal for drivers everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered how many miles is a gallon of gas, this blog is for you.
If you’re looking to save some miles and improve the miles per gallon figures of your car, here are some tips and tricks you must check out.
What is gas mileage?
A car’s gas mileage is the number of miles it can go on one gallon of gas. So, if you drive a fuel-efficient car, you will get more miles per gallon than if you drive a gas guzzler.
A gallon of gas is how many miles?
You can get an answer to that by calculating your car’s gas mileage. Car mileage is represented in terms of MPG or Miles per Gallon. So, the easiest way to calculate your car’s fuel economy is by filling a full gas tank, resetting the odometer, and driving the car until the gas tank is empty.
Once you’ve done that, just divide the total miles you’ve traveled by the gallons of fuel you’ve filled. Then, voila! That’s your car’s MPG.
What are the biggest factors affecting your car’s gas mileage?
Your fuel economy depends on a variety of factors. Some factors that determine how far your car can travel are extremely surprising. We’ll see them one by one.
The weather
Your car’s MPG depends on the weather you’re driving your car in. Cold weather calls for a longer time for the car to warm up, which calls for larger gallons of gas.
Road conditions
Roads on flat terrains often return more gas miles per gallon than the ones in a hilly setting. Similarly, bad roads with many potholes require more power to navigate, and you’ll see a drop there too.
Also, if you drive your car in heavy traffic and then on the highways, you’ll notice that you’re getting a higher MPG on the latter. Thus, traffic plays a key role in determining your car’s economy.
Tire pressure and miles per gallon
Tires should be inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications to achieve the EPA mileage estimates.
Car maintenance
Always keep an eye on your car’s mechanicals and solve their issues as soon as they pop up. For example, car tires, fuel injectors, air filters, and exhaust issues can cause a huge blow to your car’s gas mileage.
Your driving habits determine your car’s MPG
Gas guzzlers and bad driving habits are never a good combination. If you’re somebody who likes to go hard on the gas and then on the brakes, with a lot of loads on the trunk, you might be burning a lot of gas.
Here are some tips for more miles per gallon.
- Don’t push too hard on the pedals. Reducing your urge to race down the streets can help you save on some gas and improve the miles per gallon returns
- Keep your tires at the right pressure. Properly inflated tires help you get more miles per gallon out of your car and make the tires last longer. Also, make sure that your car runs on tires of manufacturer-specified sizes.
- Early mornings and late nights are the best time to fill your gas tank—the cooler the weather, the better the MPG.
- Do not accessorize your car with stuff that invites wind drag, as it lowers your car’s MPG. Avoid using roof racks and top boxes whenever possible.
- Don’t load up your car with too many things. When you make your car heavier, it uses more gas, which lowers its gas mileage.
- Do not idle. If you’re going to stop for more than a minute or two, turn off your car’s engine, so it doesn’t burn much fuel.
- Do routine checks on your car and keep them periodically serviced. Do not ignore the ‘check-engine’ light and resolve every mechanical issue as soon as possible to avoid a possible engine misfire.
Final word.
Now that we’ve talked a lot about gas and its effects, we know that gas mileage isn’t something that can be generalized. Always try to buy a car that returns good miles per gallon figures in the long run rather than settling for something that looks like a one-time great deal. Remember, Gas mileage depends on the car and how the driver drives it. We hope you remember these tips and go frugal on your next ride. Happy motoring!
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