Petrol mileage has always been a significant deciding factor for many Indians when they wish to purchase a car. It is also practical and economical as fuel prices are only rising.
Your car's mileage can also indicate several things about your car and your driving skills, making it an important calculation to know. While you can see the newer models today with automatic mileage calculators in their multi-functional instrument cluster, the older versions do not.
So, if you own an old car or want to buy a used car, knowing how to calculate the petrol mileage of a car can be beneficial. Here we give you the correct calculation method of petrol mileage for a car and how to improve it.
Calculating the Petrol Mileage of a Car
The formula to calculate your car's petrol mileage is very simple. You have the choice to calculate mileage for a single trip or until your entire tank is empty.
To ensure you calculate it correctly, follow the steps given below:
1. Fill your fuel tank:
You can either fill a specific volume of petrol or fill your fuel tank completely. Remember, you will get more precise results with a full tank.
Also, note that you get petrol from a dispenser that automatically cuts supplying fuel once the level reaches the upper level in your fuel tank. Ensuring your tank is only filled to that level will also help in a more precise calculation.
2. Reset the car's trip meter:
Next, reset your car's trip meter to zero. This will avoid the old data from being added to your new data for the distance travelled.
3. Drive your car:
The next step is to drive around in your car to use up the fuel. It is best to calculate your mileage when going on a trip as you will use more petrol.
You will also drive at a more constant speed on the highways, making the calculation more precise. Try to drive for about 250 to 300 kilometres before refuelling your tank.
4. Maintain the economy speed:
The speedometer on your car's instrument cluster has a particular speed range marked as 'economy'. When you drive at that speed limit, you get the best mileage out of your car. Avoid driving too fast as it results in faster fuel consumption.
5. Calculate your car's petrol mileage:
Once your fuel tank is empty or almost empty, you can calculate the petrol mileage of your car. Simply divide the distance travelled according to the trip meter on your instrument cluster by the volume of fuel consumed.
Here is the formula for petrol mileage- Petrol mileage= Kilometers driven/ total fuel consumed
6. Repeat the process:
You should complete the entire process at least two to three times to reduce the probability of a wrong answer. Visit the same petrol pump to get your fuel. Ensure that you always stop when the dispenser cuts off automatically.
Why is Mileage Calculation Important?
The petrol mileage that your car provides does not only affect your pocket but also the environment. A better average or mileage will mean that your car consumes lesser fuel. Lesser petrol consumption means fewer harmful effects on the planet and lower fuel expenses.
You should also know how to calculate the petrol mileage of your car as it is an indicator of your car and how you drive. Below we discuss more on these two indications.
- Driving style: If you drive your car in the economy range advised by the manufacturer, the engine will use less fuel and provide a higher average.
On the other hand, if you drive your car harshly, like braking suddenly and accelerating recklessly, the engine will consume more petrol and give a bad mileage.
- Your car: If you drive correctly and still get bad mileage, there may be something wrong with your vehicle. For instance, lower tyre pressure and internal mechanical issues can lower your car's average. Getting the problem fixed can give you better mileage again.
You are also more likely to see poor mileage if your car is very old. You may want to sell it before its resale value falls any further.
Conclusion
Petrol mileage is such a huge factor in car sales in India that automobile manufacturers continuously try to get better results in it. It is a practical approach to get a car that gives good mileage to reduce fuel consumption, and hence be pocket-friendly.
If you want to learn more about cars, download the Park+ app now. You can also know about fuel prices in various states by visiting the Park+ website.