What is Gas Mileage?

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How is EPA Gas Efficiency Measured In Cars?

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While the luxury, speed, and overall horsepower of any new car are very important in the car buying process, the car’s miles per gallon are essential for its lifetime. While the fuel mileage statistics are provided by the EPA, there are several elements to determine the gas mileage. Leading off with the vehicle’s weight and how much horsepower it has. Just because a vehicle is heavy, the engine tech could still lower the amount of fuel being used. Fuel economy ratings usually are higher in smaller cars, trucks, and SUVs because of their aerodynamics and weight. These smaller cars do not need as much fuel to keep them on the road. Another consideration is the overall maintenance of the car, truck, or SUV as well, doing items like making sure the tires have the right pressure. Overall, fuel economy is essential for all cars and it takes all of the pieces working together to build an efficient car.

Fuel Mileage Explained

How many miles a car can travel with a full tank of fuel is figured out by the mile per gallon it gets. ​Vehicle size, drivetrain (ALL4 all-wheel drive or RWD), and engine horsepower all play a huge role in calculating the fuel economy for a vehicle. The stats favor small vehicles with hybrid capabilities and a vehicle weight that is light enough that barely tip the scales. While the MPG can get worse during the life of your car, regular drives and scheduled maintenance are the best ways to keep those MPGs high.

City vs Highway Fuel Economy

When looking at MPGs, there are 2 different numbers that wrap up the gas mileage, highway and city miles per gallon. Rear world conditions are different when compared to the testing conditions and the overall numbers reflect that. Measuring the two different MPG ratings shows how driving habits can alter a vehicle’s fuel economy. Your driving habits can affect your fuel economy, ​so noting the two different gas mileage ratings gives an accurate expectation for your car’s fuel economy. Considering all the stop and go of city driving compared to the constant movement of driving on the highway, clearly, highway driving should get a higher amount of gas mileage vs. city driving.

Gas Efficiency & Drive Modes

Many vehicles that have been produced for the past few years have equipped drive modes to fit driver’s driving style and preserve fuel. A performance mode will offer a performance-based experience while “Eco” mode will save fuel. Between driving modes and cylinder deactivation, new cars are more fuel-efficient than ever before.