Difference between revisions of "Calculate Fuel Consumption"
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#*Cruise control can help you get better fuel consumption. | #*Cruise control can help you get better fuel consumption. | ||
#*Fuel consumption gets worse the faster you drive. | #*Fuel consumption gets worse the faster you drive. | ||
| − | #*Since AC uses gasoline, using it will diminish your fuel consumption.<ref> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml</ref> | + | #*Since AC uses gasoline, using it will diminish your fuel consumption.<ref name="rf1"> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml</ref> |
#Record multiple tanks of gas in a row to find your average fuel consumption. To get a more accurate picture of your car's fuel consumption, you need to have more data. By driving for longer and averaging your fuel consumption you eliminate "glitches" in your data. | #Record multiple tanks of gas in a row to find your average fuel consumption. To get a more accurate picture of your car's fuel consumption, you need to have more data. By driving for longer and averaging your fuel consumption you eliminate "glitches" in your data. | ||
#*Say, for example, that you calculated your fuel consumption one day as you drove up into the mountains. Because climbing uphill takes more fuel, your fuel consumption would look much lower than it normally is. | #*Say, for example, that you calculated your fuel consumption one day as you drove up into the mountains. Because climbing uphill takes more fuel, your fuel consumption would look much lower than it normally is. | ||
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#Divide total miles by total gallons. Use your trip odometer to see how many miles you traveled total, then divide this by gallons to get your average fuel consumption. While this is the exact number of miles per gallon during your test period, it is a good estimate for your car's average fuel consumption. | #Divide total miles by total gallons. Use your trip odometer to see how many miles you traveled total, then divide this by gallons to get your average fuel consumption. While this is the exact number of miles per gallon during your test period, it is a good estimate for your car's average fuel consumption. | ||
#*For example, if you used 25 gallons of gas, and drove 500 miles during that time, then your average fuel consumption would be 20 miles per gallon (500 miles / 25 gallons = 20 mpg). | #*For example, if you used 25 gallons of gas, and drove 500 miles during that time, then your average fuel consumption would be 20 miles per gallon (500 miles / 25 gallons = 20 mpg). | ||
| − | #Know that your car's advertised mileage is often overestimated. By law, car makers must post the average fuel consumption for cars. However, these are only estimates, and they are frequently on the high end.<ref>http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/08/the-mpg-gap/index.htm</ref> You can look up your car's fuel consumption online through [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/trip/#? this US Department of Energy website], but to find your car's actual miles per gallon you'll have to calculate it yourself. | + | #Know that your car's advertised mileage is often overestimated. By law, car makers must post the average fuel consumption for cars. However, these are only estimates, and they are frequently on the high end.<ref name="rf2">http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/08/the-mpg-gap/index.htm</ref> You can look up your car's fuel consumption online through [http://www.fueleconomy.gov/trip/#? this US Department of Energy website], but to find your car's actual miles per gallon you'll have to calculate it yourself. |
#*If your calculation is drastically different from the suggest average, you may need to bring your car to a mechanic. | #*If your calculation is drastically different from the suggest average, you may need to bring your car to a mechanic. | ||
===Minimizing Fuel Consumption=== | ===Minimizing Fuel Consumption=== | ||
#Avoid using the air conditioner. The AC uses gasoline to cool your car, which means you have less gasoline to actually drive with. Turn down the AC or turn it off once the car is cool to make your car more efficient. | #Avoid using the air conditioner. The AC uses gasoline to cool your car, which means you have less gasoline to actually drive with. Turn down the AC or turn it off once the car is cool to make your car more efficient. | ||
| − | #*Running AC on max can decrease your fuel economy by almost 25%.<ref>http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/factors.shtml</ref> | + | #*Running AC on max can decrease your fuel economy by almost 25%.<ref name="rf3">http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/factors.shtml</ref> |
| − | #Drive at the speed limit. The faster you drive your car the more fuel you will consume. This is not a small change, either -- every 5 miles per hour your drive over 50mph is the equivalent of paying $0.19 more for each gallon of gas.<ref> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp</ref> | + | #Drive at the speed limit. The faster you drive your car the more fuel you will consume. This is not a small change, either -- every 5 miles per hour your drive over 50mph is the equivalent of paying $0.19 more for each gallon of gas.<ref name="rf4"> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp</ref> |
#Drive defensively. It takes more energy to start moving a car then to keep it moving. That means if you are constantly tailgating people, stopping and starting, or trying to pass, you're using far more fuel than if you were keeping an even pace. | #Drive defensively. It takes more energy to start moving a car then to keep it moving. That means if you are constantly tailgating people, stopping and starting, or trying to pass, you're using far more fuel than if you were keeping an even pace. | ||
| − | #*Try not to brake or accelerate harshly. Brake early instead of slamming on the pedal.<ref> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/how-to-save-money-on-gas/index.htm</ref> | + | #*Try not to brake or accelerate harshly. Brake early instead of slamming on the pedal.<ref name="rf5"> http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/01/how-to-save-money-on-gas/index.htm</ref> |
| − | #Use cruise-control for long, flat stretches. Cruise control will keep your car at a consistent and even speed, which avoids burning up fuel unnecessarily with small accelerations and stops.<ref>http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/06/26/hypermile-driving-secrets-max-petrol-mileage</ref> | + | #Use cruise-control for long, flat stretches. Cruise control will keep your car at a consistent and even speed, which avoids burning up fuel unnecessarily with small accelerations and stops.<ref name="rf6">http://www.lifehacker.co.uk/2014/06/26/hypermile-driving-secrets-max-petrol-mileage</ref> |
| − | #Turn off your car in traffic. Idling, or leaving your car on when it isn't moving, wastes gas without moving you anywhere. When possible, cut the engine to save on precious gasoline.<ref | + | #Turn off your car in traffic. Idling, or leaving your car on when it isn't moving, wastes gas without moving you anywhere. When possible, cut the engine to save on precious gasoline.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#Avoid rooftop cargo carriers. These greatly diminish your cars aerodynamics, slowing your car down and causing you to use more fuel. In general, towing trailers or loading up the trunk is a more fuel efficient option. | #Avoid rooftop cargo carriers. These greatly diminish your cars aerodynamics, slowing your car down and causing you to use more fuel. In general, towing trailers or loading up the trunk is a more fuel efficient option. | ||
| − | #Keep your tires well-inflated. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3% if all four tires are low. Using the free air pump at most gas stations, inflate the tires up to the PSI recommended in your owner's manual.<ref> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> | + | #Keep your tires well-inflated. Under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.3% if all four tires are low. Using the free air pump at most gas stations, inflate the tires up to the PSI recommended in your owner's manual.<ref name="rf7"> http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp</ref> |
#*Some cars list the proper tire pressure on a sticker in the driver's side door or the glove compartment. | #*Some cars list the proper tire pressure on a sticker in the driver's side door or the glove compartment. | ||
#Replace your air filter. This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to bump up your fuel efficiency. Make sure you buy the right filter for your car by bringing the make, model, and year in to your local auto shop and asking for recommendations--every car needs a different filter. | #Replace your air filter. This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to bump up your fuel efficiency. Make sure you buy the right filter for your car by bringing the make, model, and year in to your local auto shop and asking for recommendations--every car needs a different filter. | ||
| − | #*For newer cars, replacing the air filter will not help fuel efficiency very much. It will, however, make it easier for your car to accelerate without issues.<ref | + | #*For newer cars, replacing the air filter will not help fuel efficiency very much. It will, however, make it easier for your car to accelerate without issues.<ref name="rf7" /> |
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
