The first step of managing any problem is to measure it. Managing your gasoline problem is no different. Before you can begin to start working on improving your gas mileage (and saving money at the pump), you have to go through what might prove to be a bit of a painful exercise. You need to set a baseline and determine exactly how many miles per gallon you’re currently getting.
In addition to helping you save money on gas, getting a handle on your baseline gas usage will help you spot potential maintenance problems in your vehicle before they get to be big problems. A sudden drop in gas mileage is a leading indicator of several problems that can cost you hundreds of dollars to repair. These problems will go undetected if you don’t know what your baseline gas mileage is.
But everyone knows that, right? You may think you know it - even roughly - off the top of your head. You may have when you bought your car, but not anymore. Everything you thought you knew about calculating your gas mileage is wrong. The MPG were recently redone based on new numbers and no one is getting the mileage they thought they were getting.
Beginning in 2008, the EPA changed its measurement standards. It’s the first time in 20 years they’ve adjusted their numbers, and there are a lot of surprises out there for us all as a result. Most vehicles will see their MPG ratings drop by 10% or so. But get this, the new hybrid vehicles are likely to drop by as much as 15% or so. That means that brand new Toyota Prius that the ad said would get you 55 combined city/highway actually nets you around 45 MPG
The caveat has always been “Your mileage will vary,” but after all these years the EPA is finally has enough data to begin pinning those numbers down a bit. New factors in the calculations include quick accelerations, driving in cold weather and driving with the air conditioning on. Other factors that can affect your miles per gallon significantly include how and where you drive and the condition of your vehicle.
You can read more about this at http://www.fueleconomy.gov./mpg/ That’s where you’ll also find a handy list of estimated MPGs by make and model. While looking at their charts may give you an overall feeling for current mpg norms, only your mileage figures count.
We explain the two methods you can use to calculate your current gas mileage by hand here.
We also recommend buying the Scan Guage II. It’s a completely automated device that constantly monitors your gas mileage to give you at a glance readouts. Of course, that reminds you to make those changes in your driving that will give you better gas mileage now, not when you think of it when you’re back home.
Either way, measuring your mileage results is perhaps the most important step you can take to beginning to manage and improve your gas mileage. With a firm baseline in hand, it will also be easier for you to spot variations that could be trying to alert you to maintenance problems before they become serious.
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