MPG stands for Miles Per Gallon and is a unit used to measure a car’s fuel economy. In fact, before buying a car, people tend to look at the MPG to see if the car is fuel-efficient and can be driven long distances without needing too much fuel.
MPG Meaning: Explained Simply
Many people wonder what the meaning of MPG or Miles Per Gallon is and how that affects their buying decisions. In car worlds, MPG shows how many miles a car can drive using one gallon of fuel.
For example, if a car has a rating of 38.2 MPG, it means it can travel 38.2 miles on one gallon. Most MPG figures come from official tests by the car’s manufacturer to give drivers an idea of fuel efficiency. There is an easy way to calculate the MPG of the vehicle you are buying or have recently driven.
How to Calculate MPG Easily
No need to calculate MPG manually; just use an MPG check tool or a calculator to save time and avoid errors. You just need your phone or computer to calculate the MPG. Curious? Here’s how you can do it.
Use the MPG Checker Tool
Want an easy way? You can use our MPG check tools to find out the actual MPG ratings for those who want to buy a car, to ensure fuel efficiency easily. You just need to fill out the form with your registration number, email, and phone number to get the MPG ratings.
Calculate Manually
Calculate your fuel efficiency using this simple formula:
Miles Per Gallon (MPG) = Total Miles Driven ÷ Total Gallons of Gas Used
Example Calculation:
Miles driven: 310 miles
Gallons of gas used: 10.5 gallons
MPG = 310 ÷ 10.5 = 29.52
So, your car’s fuel efficiency is approximately 29.5 miles per gallon.
What is a Good MPG?
A good MPG means that the vehicle can travel a good distance on a little fuel. Generally, a used car that gets between 40 and 60 mpg can be considered fuel-efficient. We advise you to get a used car with at least 40 mpg because it helps you keep fuel costs lower.
Also, consider the car’s type before you decide to buy. For instance, larger SUVs use more fuel compared to sedans or hatchbacks.
Average Miles Per Gallon
In the UK, the average miles per gallon for cars is 38.6 MPG. Fuel types affect this number; petrol cars average 36 mpg, while diesel cars reach around 43 mpg. Electric cars stand out with an impressive 80 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent).
Hybrid vehicles also perform well, often achieving between 50 and 60 MPG depending on the model. Driving habits, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance can all significantly influence fuel efficiency.
As technology advances, newer models are becoming more efficient, helping reduce emissions and fuel costs.
Why Does Every Car Have Multiple MPG Figures?
There are three types of MPG: urban MPG, combined MPG, and extra-urban MPG. Urban MPG and extra-urban MPG may convey the same meaning, but they are slightly different; then, what does extra-urban MPG mean? Here’s the complete definition of those three.
Urban MPG
Urban MPG measures how fuel-efficient a car is in stop-and-go city driving. The test uses a cold engine, covers 2.5 miles at low speeds (up to 31 mph), and simulates traffic conditions. Results can vary in real life due to traffic, lights, and short trips.
Extra-Urban MPG
Extra Urban MPG shows how a car performs on open roads like A-roads or motorways. It’s tested over 4.3 miles with a warm engine, including steady speeds, braking, and accelerating, up to 75 mph. This gives a better idea of fuel use outside city limits.
Combined MPG
Combined MPG is the average result of both urban and extra-urban MPG. giving a more balanced estimate of real-life situation fuel use for people who drive in both the city and the countryside. This figure is often used to compare overall fuel efficiency between cars.
Why It’s Important to Check a Vehicle’s MPG
MPG is important to determine how economical a car is, judging by its usage of fuel. The higher the MPG, the less fuel the car uses to cover the same distance, which helps lower your fuel expenses over time. A fuel-efficient car also produces fewer emissions, making it a better choice for the environment.
When buying a car, checking its MPG lets you compare the long-term running costs between different models. While it’s not the only thing to consider, good MPG can save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
You can manually calculate the MPG to determine if the vehicle fits your needs. Here are the steps you need to take.
- Fill up your tank completely, then either reset your odometer trip or make a note of your current odometer reading.
- Drive your vehicle normally until your next fill-up
- On your next visit to the gas station, refill the tank completely and record exactly how many fuel gallons you added
- Check the number of miles driven since your last fill-up. You can either read it directly from your trip odometer or subtract the previous odometer reading from the current one.
What Impacts the MPG?
The way you drive can easily impact the MPG. Aside from that, the type of car you are driving also impacts the MPS.
- Bigger cars need more fuel to move compared to smaller cars
- Cars with smooth, aerodynamic shapes typically burn less fuel and offer better MPG.
- Diesel vehicles often deliver better fuel economy since diesel burns more efficiently than petrol, requiring less fuel for the same power.
- Features like eco-driving, mild-hybrid engines, and start-stop technology can also reduce fuel consumption.
- Engine size and power also impact MPG; that’s why sports cars need more fuel.
- Driving aggressively or at high speeds increases fuel use.
Tips to Improve the Car’s MPG
To fix the car’s MPG, you will need to fix your driving habits and regularly maintain your car. Here are some tips you can follow to improve the car’s MPG performance.
Fix Your Driving Habits
Drive gently by accelerating smoothly and avoiding sudden braking. Use cruise control on highways when possible. Avoid idling for too long, plan your routes to combine errands, and stick to moderate, steady speeds to keep your fuel usage low and efficient.
Regularly Maintain Your Vehicle
Maintenance is the key to a more reliable vehicle. We suggest that you pay attention to the tire pressure, do regular tune-ups to keep the engine running smoothly, change the oil, and change the air filter, because if it’s clogged, it restricts airflow.
Reduce the Weight and Drag
Lighten your vehicle by clearing out unneeded items from the trunk or cabin, and reduce wind drag by taking off roof racks and keeping windows closed when driving at higher speeds to improve fuel efficiency.
Why Your MPG Affects More Than Just Fuel Costs
In this current state of economic and environmental issues, it’s important to pay attention to your fuel usage and try to reduce fuel emissions for more environmentally friendly driving behavior. Picking a car with high MPG helps lower the amount of harmful gases and CO2 released into the air.
Since fuel production and delivery harm the environment, using less fuel also shrinks your carbon footprint. Plus, fewer stops for fuel mean you save more money over time!
Conclusion
MPG (miles per gallon) measures how efficiently a car uses fuel to travel a certain distance. Whether you’re buying a new or used car, always check its MPG to ensure it fits your driving needs and budget. Be sure to calculate it carefully.
If you’re buying a used car, check the car’s history, including year, make, model, and any past issues to help you judge its overall condition and fuel efficiency more accurately. You can also use a VIN check to review the vehicle’s history by entering its VIN number
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the UK’s MPG higher?
The UK uses Imperial gallons, which are larger than US gallons (1 UK gallon = 1.2 US gallons). So, the same fuel efficiency will show a higher MPG number in the UK than in the US, even though the actual fuel usage is the same.
Is 52 MPG good for a car?
Yes, 52 MPG is very good. It means the car uses fuel efficiently, saving you money on fuel and producing fewer emissions. Most cars average 30–40 MPG, so 52 MPG is above average.
What MPG should my car get?
For most drivers, a car that gets 40 MPG or more is considered fuel-efficient. However, the ideal MPG depends on your needs; small city cars can reach 50+ MPG, while larger SUVs may average around 25–35 MPG.
Does MPG affect my emissions?
Yes, MPG and emissions are related. In general, a vehicle with higher MPG ratings often produces lower emissions because MPG indicates how effectively a vehicle burns fuel.
Are MPG figures realistic?
MPG (Miles Per Gallon) is often used to show how fuel-efficient a car is, but it doesn’t always match real-life driving. That’s because MPG tests are done in controlled lab settings, not in everyday road conditions.
