Car Mileage Calculator

Car Mileage & Fuel Efficiency Calculator

Fuel Economy:
Cost Per Mile/Unit:
Total Trip Cost:
function calculateMileage() { var dist = parseFloat(document.getElementById('distance_traveled').value); var fuel = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuel_used').value); var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuel_price').value); var resultsDiv = document.getElementById('mileage-results'); if (isNaN(dist) || isNaN(fuel) || dist <= 0 || fuel 0) { totalCost = fuel * price; costPerMile = totalCost / dist; } // Display document.getElementById('res_economy').innerText = economy.toFixed(2) + " MPG / Units"; if (!isNaN(price) && price > 0) { document.getElementById('res_cost_per_dist').innerText = "$" + costPerMile.toFixed(3); document.getElementById('res_total_cost').innerText = "$" + totalCost.toFixed(2); } else { document.getElementById('res_cost_per_dist').innerText = "N/A"; document.getElementById('res_total_cost').innerText = "N/A"; } resultsDiv.style.display = "block"; }

Understanding Car Mileage and Fuel Economy

Calculating your car's mileage is one of the most effective ways to monitor its health and manage your transportation budget. Whether you call it MPG (Miles Per Gallon) or L/100km, understanding fuel efficiency helps you determine how much it truly costs to get from point A to point B.

How to Use the Car Mileage Calculator

To get an accurate reading of your vehicle's performance, follow these simple steps:

  • Track Distance: Note your odometer reading or reset your trip meter when you fill up your tank. At your next fill-up, record the total distance traveled.
  • Record Fuel: Look at the fuel pump receipt to see exactly how many gallons (or liters) were added to the tank to fill it back up.
  • Input Price: Adding the price per unit allows the calculator to show you your cost per mile and total expenditure.

The Math Behind Fuel Efficiency

The formula for calculating fuel efficiency is straightforward. If you are using miles and gallons, the formula is:

Mileage (MPG) = Total Miles Traveled รท Total Gallons Consumed

For example, if you drove 300 miles and used 10 gallons of gas, your mileage is 30 MPG. If fuel costs $3.50 per gallon, your total cost was $35.00, making your cost per mile $0.116.

Real-World Mileage Examples

Vehicle Category Typical MPG Cost per 100 Miles ($3.50/gal)
Hybrid Sedan 50 MPG $7.00
Compact Car 32 MPG $10.94
Mid-size SUV 22 MPG $15.91
Large Pickup Truck 16 MPG $21.88

Tips to Improve Your Car's Mileage

If your calculation shows a lower mileage than what the manufacturer advertised, consider these factors:

  1. Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance and can lower fuel economy by up to 3%.
  2. Driving Habits: Rapid acceleration and hard braking waste fuel. Smooth driving can improve efficiency significantly.
  3. Weight: Every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle can reduce your MPG by about 1%.
  4. Maintenance: Using the recommended grade of motor oil and keeping the engine tuned can improve mileage by 4% to 40% depending on the repair.

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