The two most common ways to measure automobile fuel usage are Fuel Consumption and Fuel Economy. Either way, it is important because it saves you money, reduces climate change, reduces oil dependence costs, and increase energy sustainability. Understanding the fuel economy chart enables you to do your part to reduce climate change, which is to reduce your carbon footprint with green vehicles and getting the best gas mileage your car can deliver!
Fuel Economy Chart
Commuters can offset their carbon footprint if they are well educated and concern about the real home we have – Earth. All great journeys start with small little steps. Let’s check out what is Fuel Consumption and what is Fuel Economy, and the 4 Gas Mileage Tips that could help you to getting the best gas mileage your car can deliver!
What is Fuel Consumption?
Fuel Consumption is the amount of fuel used per unit distance, most commonly measured in litres per 100 kilometres (L/100 km). Widely used in Europe, China, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, the lower values mean better fuel consumption, as it means you use less fuel to travel the same distance.
What is Fuel Economy?
Fuel Economy is the distance traveled per unit of fuel used, most commonly measured in miles per gallon (mpg) or kilometres per litre (km/L). Widely used in market areas affecting the largest number of vehicles worldwide, including the UK, U.S. (mpg) and Japan, Korea, India, Pakistan, parts of Africa, The Netherlands, Denmark and Latin America (km/L). Higher values of mpg means travelling further for the same amount of fuel.
Fuel economy and fuel consumption are reciprocal quantities. A related measure is the amount of carbon dioxide produced as a result of the combustion process, typically measured in grams of CO2 per kilometre (CO2 g/km).
4 Gas Mileage Tips to Fuel Economy
You may already know how to offset your carbon footprint as a commuter, let’s look at the 4 useful tips that could help you reduce the amount of gas you use.
1. Drive more efficiently.
Drive sensibly and observe the speed limit – this will not only safe you gas, but also safer for you and others. (Fuel Economy Benefit: 7–23%)
Remove Excess Weight – Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. (Fuel Economy Benefit: 1–2%/100 lbs)
Avoid Excessive Idling as idling gets 0 miles per gallon. Using cruise control on the highway helps you maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, will save gas. When you use overdrive gearing, your car’s engine speed goes down. This saves gas and reduces engine wear.
2. Keeping your car in shape.
Though results vary based on the kind of repair and how well it is done, fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. (Fuel Economy Benefit: 4%)
Keep Tires Properly Inflated – Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jamb or the glove box and in your owner’s manual. Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire’s sidewall. (Fuel Economy Benefit: Up to 3%)
Use the Recommended Grade of Motor Oil, and look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives. (Fuel Economy Benefit: 1–2%)
3. Planning & Combining Trips not only ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, but also reduce the distance you travel.
When commuting, drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle, take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs, and stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours. Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it. Consider using public transit if it is available and convenient for you.
When traveling, reduce aerodynamic drag and improve your fuel economy by placing items inside the trunk whenever possible. Avoid carrying unneeded items, especially heavy ones because an extra 100 lbs in the trunk reduces a typical car’s fuel economy by 1-2 percent.
4. Choosing a more efficient vehicle.
Do you know that the difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $718 per year (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $2.87)? That’s $3,588 extra in fuel costs over five years!
www.fueleconomy.gov has gas mileage estimates and more information for 1984-2011 model year cars. Selecting which vehicle to purchase is the most important fuel economy decision you’ll make! http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/choosing.shtml
For more resources, refer to fueleconomy.gov, the official U.S. government source for fuel economy information.
