Finding Miles Per Gallon

Finding the miles per gallon is kind of important. Especially if your cars gas gauge has always been like, "full, full, full, 3/4 full, 3/4 full, 1/2 full, 1/2 full, 1/2 full, 1/4 full - BAM EMPTY!" 

(If I know how many gallons I put in last, and how many miles I get for each one of those gallons, then I can know pretty accurately how far I can go!) 

That's how all of my car's gauges have seemed to work. Clearly, it is not me.

This is a good thing to know even if you have a better car then mine. You can plan trips and cost much more efficiently. 

(For regular viewers of this blog: I realize I was going to do an Algebra 1 class. That's not not happening, but right now we all needed a break. It is summer after all!)

Okay, so mileage is miles per gallon so it is just that. How many miles you go per gallon of gas. You can figure things like, oh my car gets 30 miles to the gallon, so if I fill up with 15 gallons, I can get 450 miles before I need gas. Good to know, right? Especially on your summer road trips.

Here are your steps:

1. Fill car completely with gas (none of this just put in $20 worth)

2. Hit the Trip Odometer button - You know the one that tells you how far you go. Make it all zeros.

3. Drive normal

4. Get gas again when needed and look at these two things: 

                          1. The miles on the trip that you reset 

                          2. The amount of gallons you put in the car (watch the pump or look to your                                         receipt)

5. Remember how it says Miles PER Gallon. Now take those miles and divide by how many gallons you just filled up.

Here's the video to explain it better:
How to Find your Gas Mileage

 Click Here

The reason you have to use the trip in your car and fill up completely is because you are keeping track of the miles you go, but you won't know for sure how many gallons you use until you fill up again. Think about it. 

Now of course it is not exact, but close enough to make an good estimate. Now my 2004 all wheel drive vehicle usually gets 20 miles per gallon here with my mostly in town driving. When I drive road trips on highways and less stops I can sometimes get 22 miles per gallon. Start keeping track, I DARE YOU!

For real, I used to check mine every single time, but now that I have 2 kids, I probably check it only half the time. Kids really do change you....

Drive Carefully!