Your car’s fuel economy is essentially how far your vehicle can go using a specific amount of fuel. This can have a real impact on your expenses due to how much you have to refill your vehicle. Choosing a vehicle that can achieve good fuel economy, or taking steps to increase the fuel economy of your current vehicle, just might save you money at the fuel station, meaning more cash to spend on things you like.
What is MPG? MPG explained.
MPG stands for miles per gallon and is a metric used to show how far you can travel for every gallon of fuel it uses up.
For example, if the vehicle you own returns 60mpg and the fuel tank has one gallon of fuel in it, you will be able to drive 60 miles before you will run out of fuel.
Why MPG matters when buying a car
- When reviewing a car’s mpg, the higher the mpg the better. With a higher mpg, you’ll use less fuel so is more cost-efficient as you won’t need to fill up as often.
- MPG does have an impact on the environment. A car with a higher MPG burns less fuel to go the same distance. Less fuel consumed means fewer greenhouse gases produced by the vehicle.
- MPG and getting the best fuel economy from your vehicle is an important part of long-term car ownership. It could save you a lot of money just knowing how to get the best out of your set of wheels. It also could form part of your decision-making when looking to purchase a new car as different cars will be able to achieve better MPG.
Factors that affect MPG
The below all can affect your MPG and essentially how efficient your vehicle can be and how much money it is going to cost you to fuel your car. You should take the below into consideration when looking to purchase a new vehicle, so you won’t be in for any shocks when it comes to consuming fuel.
- Vehicle weight
- Engine size and type
- Driving habits
- Fuel type
Comparing MPG across different vehicles
- When researching your next car, most manufacturers will publish the mpg of a car, however, this often refers to the car when it is brand new and not a used car.
- To help work out a car’s current mpg, We Buy Any Car has created a calculator based on your usage. All you need to do is note down the miles that you have travelled and the gallons of fuel that you have used and can input this data into their calculator, and they will provide you with an estimate of your MPG.
Tips for improving MPG
Proper tyre maintenance
- Check tyre pressure. It’s essential to make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure as shown in your owner’s manual. Underinflated and overinflated tyres both negatively affect your MPG. Not only that, but you are also compromising your safety – when your tyres are underinflated it compromises your ability to brake and manoeuvre safely.
- Make sure your tyres are suited to your vehicle. Don’t always go for the cheapest tyres. In the long term getting a better brand of tyre may mean they last longer and achieve a better MPG.
- Check the quality of your tyres. Damaged tyres are not going to help you achieve your maximum MPG. Make sure you check the tyre for any damage caused by driving such as any punctures and tyre tread.
Regular vehicle maintenance
- Ensuring your vehicle undergoes regular car servicing is only going to help you achieve the best MPG you can.
- For example, replacing a clogged air filter, worn spark plugs or old engine oil will all help to improve your MPG.
Fuel-efficient driving techniques
- Reduce any excess weight in your car such as any unnecessary items in your boot.
- Maintain a steady speed. Cruise control can help with this.
- Decelerate steadily. Gentle deceleration saves brakes and helps fuel efficiency. Decelerate naturally rather than coming to an abrupt or complete stop.
- Drive at a lower speed as it uses less fuel. Reducing your speed from 80 mph to 70 mph can result in using 25% less fuel.
- Don’t leave your engine running, as this will waste your fuel. Turn off your engine if you’re not moving for more than a minute or so.
We hope you found the above information regarding your MPG helpful. When it comes to car buying, we want to ensure you feel fully equipped with the knowledge to make an informed buying decision especially when it comes to costs associated with motoring. For more helpful information on car buying why not check out the below articles:
