How to Calculate Fuel Economy and Estimate Range on a Single Gallon of Gas

Calculating the fuel economy of your vehicle and estimating how far it can travel on a single gallon of gas can be a simple process with a bit of planning and basic math. Whether you want to save money at the gas pump or simply understand your vehicle's efficiency, these methods provide a straightforward way to gauge performance.

Simple Method for Calculating Fuel Economy and Range

One easy method to determine how far your vehicle can go on one gallon of gas involves a straightforward approach:

Fuel your tank completely until the nozzle lever kicks out. Drive approximately 100 kilometers to a gas station. Refill the tank exactly the same way and record the quantity of fuel added.

Carefully record the amount of fuel consumed. For example, if you used 8 liters to cover 100 kilometers, your initial fuel consumption is 8L/100 km. This figure can then be converted into the distance travelled per gallon.

Divide the liter amount by 3.78 for US gallons or 4.54 for Imperial gallons. Convert 100 kilometers to miles: 100km 62.1 miles. Perform the calculation: if 8 liters were used, the vehicle gets 20 miles per gallon (160 miles / 8 gallons).

For those who prefer more precise calculations, repeat the process multiple times to refine the collected data and obtain an average figure. This method gives a good estimate, though it won't be perfect.

Alternative Method Using Odometer Readings

An alternative method involves using the vehicle's odometer to track distance and fuel consumption:

Start with a full tank of fuel and note the initial odometer reading. Drive to a gas station and note down the new odometer reading. Ensure the tank is refilled to the same level. Record the gallons of fuel required to refill the tank. Use the difference between the odometer readings and the fuel measured to calculate the fuel economy.

For instance, if an odometer reading goes from 32456 to 32616 miles, the vehicle has traveled 160 miles. If 8 gallons of fuel were required to refill the tank, the vehicle gets 20 miles per gallon (160 miles / 8 gallons).

Some modern vehicles have a built-in fuel economy gauge that displays the current fuel efficiency. This gauge resets when the engine is turned off, making it an excellent real-time tool for tracking your vehicle's performance.

Summary of Key Points

The simple method of filling up and tracking a 100 km/62.1 mile distance provides a good estimate of fuel economy and range. Using odometer readings gives a clear and precise way to calculate fuel consumption and distance per gallon. Modern vehicles offer built-in fuel economy gauges, making it easy to monitor efficiency in real-time.

Understanding your vehicle's fuel economy and range not only helps you save money but also promotes a more environmentally friendly driving habit. By following these steps, you can easily monitor and manage your vehicle's fuel consumption, ensuring that you get the most value out of every gallon of gas you purchase.