Calculate your vehicle's fuel efficiency and fuel costs per mile.
Distance Traveled: 0 miles
Fuel Efficiency: 0 MPG
Cost Per Mile: $0.00
function calculateMPG() {
var prev = parseFloat(document.getElementById('prevOdometer').value);
var curr = parseFloat(document.getElementById('currOdometer').value);
var fuel = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuelAdded').value);
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('fuelPrice').value);
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById('results');
if (isNaN(prev) || isNaN(curr) || isNaN(fuel) || fuel <= 0 || curr 0) {
var costPerMile = (fuel * price) / distance;
document.getElementById('resCostPerMile').innerText = '$' + costPerMile.toFixed(2);
} else {
document.getElementById('resCostPerMile').innerText = 'N/A';
}
var ratingText = "";
if (mpg < 15) { ratingText = "Low Efficiency: Consider checking engine health."; }
else if (mpg < 25) { ratingText = "Average Efficiency: Typical for many SUVs and trucks."; }
else if (mpg < 35) { ratingText = "Good Efficiency: Common for modern sedans."; }
else { ratingText = "Excellent Efficiency: Typical for hybrids or high-efficiency vehicles."; }
document.getElementById('efficiencyRating').innerText = ratingText;
resultsDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
How to Calculate Your Vehicle's Gas Mileage
Understanding how to calculate gas mileage is the first step toward reducing fuel costs and monitoring your vehicle's mechanical health. Fuel efficiency is measured in Miles Per Gallon (MPG). A sudden drop in MPG often serves as an early warning sign that your car may need maintenance, such as an air filter replacement, tire pressure adjustment, or oxygen sensor repair.
The Gas Mileage Formula
The math behind gas mileage is simple division. To find your MPG, use the following formula:
Fill Your Tank: Go to the gas station and fill your tank until the pump clicks off automatically. Note the current mileage (Odometer Reading A).
Drive Normally: Drive your vehicle until the tank is at least half empty. This provides a more accurate average than a short trip.
Refill and Record: Go back to the gas station. Fill the tank completely again. Note the new mileage (Odometer Reading B) and exactly how many gallons it took to refill the tank.
Calculate: Subtract Reading A from Reading B to find your miles traveled. Divide that number by the gallons used.
Realistic Example:
Starting Odometer: 50,000 miles
Ending Odometer: 50,320 miles
Distance Traveled: 320 miles
Gallons Refilled: 10 gallons
Calculation: 320 / 10 = 32 MPG
Factors That Affect Your Fuel Economy
Your gas mileage isn't a static number. It changes based on several variables:
Driving Habits: Rapid acceleration and hard braking significantly lower efficiency.
Tire Pressure: Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder.
Vehicle Load: Carrying extra weight (like heavy tools or cargo boxes) reduces mileage.
Idle Time: Your car gets 0 MPG while idling. Long periods of idling can drastically skew your average.
Terrain: Driving in hilly areas or stop-and-go city traffic is less efficient than steady highway cruising.
Tips to Improve Your Gas Mileage
If your calculation shows lower efficiency than your car's factory rating, try these tips:
Keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended PSI.
Use the recommended grade of motor oil.
Remove roof racks or carriers when not in use to improve aerodynamics.
Use cruise control on highways to maintain a steady speed.