Estimating MPG is important for car performance. The easiest way is to track miles driven and gallons used between refueling. A noticeable drop in MPG may indicate mechanical problems. The EPA’s MPG estimates are based on 1970s driving conditions, but a new method was introduced in 2008 for more accuracy.
For those who already own or drive the same vehicle on a consistent basis, the need to estimate MPG can be a critical factor in determining car performance. In most cases, finding a way to estimate MPG is not a big problem. Most people can do it with some very simple math. In some cases, it appears that individuals can estimate MPG better than the groups charged with publishing those estimates for new cars.
The easiest way to estimate MPG is to fill up the tank, then keep track of the number of miles driven before stopping to refuel. It is not necessary to drive until the gas tank is almost empty to estimate MPG. Rather, this can be done at almost any stage of the process. The longer the distance between refuellings, the more accurate the numbers will be. Once the driver has stopped to refuel, take note of the miles driven since the last fill-up and the number of gallons needed to fill the car. Then divide the miles by the number of gallons and an estimated gas mileage has been produced.
With fuel prices becoming a big concern, more people want to estimate MPG, and it can be a useful diagnostic tool. For example, those who consistently see a noticeable drop in gas mileage may have mechanical problems, causing the vehicle to work harder and burn more fuel. These problems can be minor and require very little money to correct, such as improperly inflated tires, or they can be very significant.
Some have also openly wondered how the United States Environmental Protection Agency can estimate MPG numbers that seem so different from what is actually achieved in real world fuel economy. While these estimates have received much criticism from new car owners, there is actually a reason for the EPA’s estimate. The agency tests vehicles under normal driving conditions for the 1970s. Among the most notable differences is the fact that the speed limit was only 55 miles per hour (mph) at the time.
Beginning with the 2008 model years, the EPA began a new method for determining an estimated MPG. Among the changes made are testing higher speeds with more aggressive acceleration, along with testing in different weather conditions with the air conditioning or heater running. In some cases, this can reduce the EPA mileage estimate by as much as 30 percent. Many claim this will give consumers a much more accurate picture of estimated miles per gallon.
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