Best way to calculate MPG?

huffa12 · #1 11-08-2010, 06:18 PM

I was told when i bought my truck it got 25 MPG :O i figure i got 20 or 21 mpg but lately i've been going through gas really quickly and i'm as light on the gas as i can be i swear i must be geting 14 mpg. i need an easy way to calculate my MPG without filling up cause i dont have enough cash to fill up with gas at 3 bucks a gal any advice?

ObsoleteE · #2 11-08-2010, 06:26 PM

Android and Iphone both have apps that record your mileage, quantity and price of gas per fill. You could use those. If you don't have said phones just record your mileage and quantity of gas every time you refill. Divide how many miles you traveled by how much gas you put into the tank.

IE: 200 miles
10 gallons
----------------
20 mpg

pooleo · #3 11-08-2010, 06:27 PM

Do you have a check gauge light or low fuel light? If so, then when it comes on get fuel. Note how much you put in. Reset the trip. Run it until the light comes back on.

Then divide miles driven by gallons put in.

huffa12 · #4 11-08-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pooleo8

Do you have a check gauge light or low fuel light? If so, then when it comes on get fuel. Note how much you put in. Reset the trip. Run it until the light comes back on.

Then divide miles driven by gallons put in.

no light

TurdFX4 · #5 11-08-2010, 06:28 PM

Highest Ive gotten was 22, so in a 3.0 it might be attainable on highway, I dont know though.

As far as the mpg calculation, I dont know of another way without filling up.

huffa12 · #6 11-08-2010, 06:39 PM

i also have a problem when i fill up till the pump clicks my tank sometimes leaks when full so i try to avoid filling up for that reason as well

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurdFX4

Highest Ive gotten was 22, so in a 3.0 it might be attainable on highway, I dont know though.

As far as the mpg calculation, I dont know of another way without filling up.

was it a standard or an auto?

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObsoleteE

Android and Iphone both have apps that record your mileage, quantity and price of gas per fill. You could use those. If you don't have said phones just record your mileage and quantity of gas every time you refill. Divide how many miles you traveled by how much gas you put into the tank.

IE: 200 miles
10 gallons
----------------
20 mpg

no iphone i'll do what u said though maybe i'll just save for a full tank and when the gauge hits E i'll check the odometer and use that. thanks

FireRanger · #7 11-08-2010, 06:46 PM

No, you can not calculate it without a fill-up. You have fill up and note the mileage or reset the trip odo. Drive until it's almost empty. Fill up. Divide miles driven by gallons pumped to see your average MPG.

And the phone apps do the same thing. You can't do it without complete fill-ups.

Brianxlt · #8 11-08-2010, 06:46 PM

the best way is as stated above.
full tank or not. (full is better)
fill up reset trip counter. drive untill you need gas again 3/4 tank or so. Divide miles driven by gallons pumped. (200 miles 10 gallons pumped = 20 MPG) repeat for a month or two to get the most accurate #.

mickblock · #9 11-08-2010, 06:54 PM

Use pooleo8's method. Zero the tank then zero the trip odometer. Then just save your gas receipts for a few weeks. Whether they're for a 2.540 gallon fill up or whatever. Then when you're ready to calculate, let your tank get to E again, add up the gallons on the receipts, then use your trip reading.
You don't have to zero your trip odometer after you calculate. Just continue keeping all of your receipts since you zeroed your trip odometer. The more miles you have to go on, the more accurate your calculation.
You don't really need to fill it. Just be on E when you start off and each time you wanna calculate.

huffa12 · #10 11-08-2010, 06:59 PM

Thanks for the advice/ tips guys

2002 2WD Edge · #11 11-08-2010, 10:13 PM

Thanks to electronic fuel injection there are many aftermarket electric gauges that amongst other things can show your current mileage in real time..some may allow for showing an average. I don't know how accurate they are.....but I'd like to get one. It sounds like you can't afford such right now. Your gas mileage estimate sounds very bad..VERY dirty air filter and spark plugs that need replacing are 2 things that you could do cheaply..if you do it yourself. Driving behavior if you drive with a lead foot, speed, etc.,..if altered can give you the biggest savings at no cost. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Don't waste money on mid-grade or premium if you don't need it. If you drive on highways a lot improving aerodynamics by way of a box cover can help. Can't afford that...remove the tailgate..put it back on when you need it.

huffa12 · #12 11-09-2010, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002 2WD Edge

Thanks to electronic fuel injection there are many aftermarket electric gauges that amongst other things can show your current mileage in real time..some may allow for showing an average. I don't know how accurate they are.....but I'd like to get one. It sounds like you can't afford such right now. Your gas mileage estimate sounds very bad..VERY dirty air filter and spark plugs that need replacing are 2 things that you could do cheaply..if you do it yourself. Driving behavior if you drive with a lead foot, speed, etc.,..if altered can give you the biggest savings at no cost. Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Don't waste money on mid-grade or premium if you don't need it. If you drive on highways a lot improving aerodynamics by way of a box cover can help. Can't afford that...remove the tailgate..put it back on when you need it.

light footed 95% of the time and airfilter is really clean i don't know about the plugs but before i bought the truck the guy told me it had just had a tune up so they should be relatively new and regular oil change i do my best to keep up with everything no flat tires ect..

2002 2WD Edge · #13 11-09-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huffa12

I was told when i bought my truck it got 25 MPG :O i figure i got 20 or 21 mpg but lately i've been going through gas really quickly and i'm as light on the gas as i can be i swear i must be geting 14 mpg. i need an easy way to calculate my MPG without filling up cause i dont have enough cash to fill up with gas at 3 bucks a gal any advice?

Still for a 3L V-6 14MPG is terrible if you are correct about that. Gas leak somewhere....including the gas cap is another possibility.

huffa12 · #14 11-10-2010, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2002 2WD Edge

Still for a 3L V-6 14MPG is terrible if you are correct about that. Gas leak somewhere....including the gas cap is another possibility.

my tank leaks around will the fill hose connects to the gas tank but it hasn't leaked bad in awhile