Calculating Fuel Mileage
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Calculating Fuel Mileage
Ok, I should know how to do this, but:
What is the best (ie easiest) way to calculate the fuel mileage i'm getting. I've been writing down miles and gallons when I fill up, but i don't know where to go from there.
What is the best (ie easiest) way to calculate the fuel mileage i'm getting. I've been writing down miles and gallons when I fill up, but i don't know where to go from there.
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From: Calgary, Canada
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Make sure you are the only one who fills the tank when you are doing this.
Try to be as consistent as possible in filling the tank to the nuts.
You will probably have to do 3 checks.
One for city
One for Highway
& One for combined
Make sure you purchase gas from the same place everytime.
Because there are so many variables regarding fule consumption, Remember to keep everything as consistent as possible during the calulations.
Try to be as consistent as possible in filling the tank to the nuts.
You will probably have to do 3 checks.
One for city
One for Highway
& One for combined
Make sure you purchase gas from the same place everytime.
Because there are so many variables regarding fule consumption, Remember to keep everything as consistent as possible during the calulations.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Feb 22, 2006 at 12:37 PM.
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,748
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From: Virginia Beach
I'm glad yo mentioned using the same station. I'd been wondering about the fuel dilivery from the nozzle for a while. I try to use the same station as often as possible, but I also try to fill up using the same pump. I set the nozzle on the first 'click' so it pumps a little slower, too. But I have another question to pose: If your engine doesn't run warm enough- say your thermostat is stuck open, for instance, not allowing your engine to run at its optimum temp- could that lower your MPG as well? My little Escort got around 35 MPG during the warmer months, but now that it's winter time, it seems to be hovering around 32. The heater works, but not nearly as well as I believe it should (shouldn't an engine that small generate a lot of heat?).
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Yes, a thermostat stuck open will impact gas mileage in a negative way. However, a mileage drop in the winter is also quite normal. Going from 35 in the summer to 32 in the winter is very much in line with what you should expect.
Small engines run at the same temp as larger engines - right around 200. Have you noticed that the temp gauge is sitting in a different place? If so, it could be a t-stat problem.
The heater problem could be the heater core or the blend door, or the heater valve. Not necessarily a coolant problem.
To calculate MPG (Why don't we teach kids this stuff in school?), reset your trip odometer (or write down your mileage) and fill the tank. Next time you fill up, hopefully at the same pump at the same station, divide the number of miles you drove by the number of gallons you just put in.
Small engines run at the same temp as larger engines - right around 200. Have you noticed that the temp gauge is sitting in a different place? If so, it could be a t-stat problem.
The heater problem could be the heater core or the blend door, or the heater valve. Not necessarily a coolant problem.
To calculate MPG (Why don't we teach kids this stuff in school?), reset your trip odometer (or write down your mileage) and fill the tank. Next time you fill up, hopefully at the same pump at the same station, divide the number of miles you drove by the number of gallons you just put in.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Indianapolis
To JSBmaine---- Go to gas station. Fill up tank. Set odometer to 0. Do your driving. Next time--- fill up tank. Take miles listed on odometer and divide by how many gallons it took to fill tank. This is your mpg. Do it everytime you fill up like I do, and you'll have a consistent average of what mpg you are getting. Go by the average, cause sometimes you'll get more in the tank, sometimes less. My 97 Windstar gets between 17-24, depending on whether it's around town miles, road trip miles, etc.
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Stuck OPEN ?
All thermostats if operating properly are always open during normal driving.
The thermostat is ONLY a switch.
It starts to open at a desginated temperature and remain open until the coolant reaches temp that allows the thermostat to close.
The coolant itself runs at a HIGHER Temperature than the thermostat rating.
ie: Thermostat 195*F Operating temp of coolant 210*F
Ford has different specs for different engines.
Most Ford engines require a 195*F thermostat and these engine run at around 210*F for best efficiency.
Never ever run a thermostat with a rating lower than 180*F.
This will cause unnecessary wear on an engine.
If you have over-heating problems there is something wrong:
ie:
like sitting at idle with an outside temp of 110*F
Bad Ignition Timing
If you have a Tripmeter on your speedo/odometer use it, these work the best instead of trying to remember the mileage or trying to find the paper you wrote it down on.
Read post #17 on this thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=102632
I posted this ages ago.
All thermostats if operating properly are always open during normal driving.
The thermostat is ONLY a switch.
It starts to open at a desginated temperature and remain open until the coolant reaches temp that allows the thermostat to close.
The coolant itself runs at a HIGHER Temperature than the thermostat rating.
ie: Thermostat 195*F Operating temp of coolant 210*F
Ford has different specs for different engines.
Most Ford engines require a 195*F thermostat and these engine run at around 210*F for best efficiency.
Never ever run a thermostat with a rating lower than 180*F.
This will cause unnecessary wear on an engine.
If you have over-heating problems there is something wrong:
ie:
like sitting at idle with an outside temp of 110*F
Bad Ignition Timing
If you have a Tripmeter on your speedo/odometer use it, these work the best instead of trying to remember the mileage or trying to find the paper you wrote it down on.
Read post #17 on this thread.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=102632
I posted this ages ago.
Last edited by Mil1ion; Feb 22, 2006 at 04:16 PM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: SW Arizona
I keep track of my odometer mileage as I cannot turn it back on my 81 van. When filling up, it is as close to the same last time I did (get down to 1/4 tank) to be consistant. Write down my mileage when I fillup and subtract the former from the new one.
Then divide the mileage by the gallons. So simple....and I dont need a calculator to do it.
Then divide the mileage by the gallons. So simple....and I dont need a calculator to do it.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6,658
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From: "Islander"
I've kept fuel mileage, gallons, fuel prices since 1972 for the 69 Flair and 68 CS. If I added the money FE's have sucked up (900K plus miles) it could of paid for my house.
Wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....
Wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....
Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Feb 22, 2006 at 11:22 PM.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NW burbs of chicago
All thermostats if operating properly are always open during normal driving
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
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From: San Francisco, Ca.
Originally Posted by Beemer Nut
I've kept fuel mileage, gallons, fuel prices since 1972 for the 69 Flair and 68 CS. If I added the money FE's have sucked up (900K plus miles) it could of paid for my house.
Wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....
Wadda mean we're out of beer? .....=o&o>.....
And what da ya mean yer out of beer.
