What is MPG?

20 Aug 2019 by Megan Maxwell

If you’re looking to buy a new car, chances are you will have seen the acronym MPG a fair few times. It stands for miles per gallon and is a measure of how far you can travel on one gallon of petrol or diesel. The more miles a car can travel per gallon on fuel the further you will get on a tank of fuel, so if you are looking to reduce your fuel costs then you need to look for a car with a high MPG rating.

When a new car model is released, it is tested and an official MPG rating is attributed, to give potential buyers an idea of the fuel economy they can expect.

How is MPG Calculated?

A cars MPG rating is calculated under laboratory testing conditions. Until recently, the test used to measure a car’s MPG rating was called the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), however, this test was found to be outdated, so was replaced with a new test, the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

The WLTP testing procedure is more accurate as it has been designed to better reflect real driving conditions. The test is longer, is carried out at ambient European temperatures and covers a greater speed range with four-speed areas tested; low, medium, high and extra high.   

However, despite efforts to make it as real to life as possible, the official MPG results are still unlikely to truly reflect the mileage you would get on your commute. This is because the tests cannot possibly cover the vast array of variables a driver would face day-to-day. Therefore, the official MPG rating should only be used as a guide.

MPG rating

What is a good MPG rating?

MPG varies between petrol and diesel engine cars, with diesel cars typically outperforming diesel for the number of miles covered. However, in recent years, diesel engines have become less popular due to the negative press they have received for the noxious gases they release into the atmosphere, so manufacturers have been working hard to make petrols more attractive by improving their MPG capabilities. This means there is now less MPG difference between petrol and diesel engines than ever before.

So whether it is petrol or diesel engine you go for, if you are after a car with a good MPG you should look for 50mpg or more.

How to work out your real MPG?

So with that in mind, you might be wondering how to work out how many miles you do actually get from a gallon of fuel. Many modern cars now give you an average MPG and instant MPG readings based on your driving and the conditions. However, if you want to work out your true MPG for yourself it is actually fairly easy to work out;

·        Run your car until the empty light comes on

·        Before re-fuelling press the reset on the odometer trip counter

·        Fill up but make sure you make a note of the amount of fuel you put in (i.e. how many litres)

·        Drive as usual but when the car reaches empty again make a note of the distance you have travelled on a tank of fuel

·        Divide the distance by the litres put in to get miles per litre result

·        Multiply the result by 4.54 (4.54litres in a gallon) to get your true MPG score

NB: if you want to know how much a mile costs in your car just divide the distance travelled by the number of litres of fuel used for a miles per litre reading. Make a note of the cost of fuel per litre when you filled up and divide the cost by the miles covered. For example, if the car is capable of 10 miles per litre and the fuel cost £1.32 you will use £1.32 of fuel every ten miles covered.

£1.32/10=0.132 so the cost per mile is just over 13p

fuel station

What effects your real MPG?

The actual number of miles you can cover per gallon on fuel varies depending on a range of factors. Your driving style can play a big part with people who drive more aggressively using more fuel than those who make smooth transitions and gain speed more gradually. While the roads you travel can also have an impact with some cars performing better at a set speed on a well-maintained motorway than they do on winding country lanes.

The weather can also have an effect, as in warm weather you may turn on the air-conditioning more or put the windows down which can both have a negative impact on fuel economy.

The weight of your vehicle can compromise your efficiency which is why it is advisable not to carry stuff that isn’t necessary.

Ignoring regular maintenance schedules can prevent your car from working in the way it should which can negatively affect its performance. 

This list is far from exhaustive though and there are many things which could prove detrimental to your economy.

How to improve your MPG?

Many modern cars are now more efficient than ever, so if you want to get the very best investing in a new car may save you in the long run.

However, if you want to find out to make the most of every journey in your current car, then why not take a look at our blog on ways to improve your fuel economy. It covers all the steps you can take to make sure you get the most from your money when filling up the tank.

Blog Comments

To view, comment or reply to comments you must be logged into facebook

Other Articles

Receive our latest News & Offers

By giving an email address, you're agreeing to receive our marketing emails and you can opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy for details on how your data will be used.

Connect with us on Social Media

Automotive 30% Club Logo
Ofsted Outstanding Provider Logo
Cyber Essentials Logo
Cyber Essentials Plus Logo
SAF Finance Logo
Doncaster Council Trading Standards Logo
Stoneacre Motoring For Life Logo

Copyright © 2024 DecideBloom Ltd, Registered office, Omega Boulevard, Capitol Park, Thorne DN8 5TX Company Number - 3003995. VAT Number - GB616996004.
Decidebloom Ltd t/a Stoneacre are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority our Firm Reference Number (FRN) is 308726.
Please note we record all our calls to ensure that we give you the service you deserve.