Fuel Savings Calculator – Estimate Gas Mileage Savings
Enter the fuel economy of two cars, the cost of fuel, and the distance driven each year to estimate the savings in fuel costs.
Savings Estimate:
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How to Calculate Savings of Improved Fuel Efficiency
If you drive a significant number of miles in a year, then improving the fuel efficiency of your vehicle could save you a sizable amount of money in fuel costs. One way to improve fuel efficiency is by upgrading your vehicle to one that delivers noticeably better fuel economy.
Step One: Find Driving Distance per Year
To calculate the amount of money saved through better fuel economy, start by finding the number of miles that you drive per year. The average driver does 13,476 miles per year.
Step Two: Calculate Gasoline Consumed per Year
The next step is to calculate the amount of gasoline consumed during the year for each vehicle being compared. To estimate the amount of gasoline consumed, divide the driving distance per year by the miles per gallon rating of each vehicle.
car 1 gallons of gas = driving distance / car 1 fuel mpg
car 2 gallons of gas = driving distance / car 2 fuel mpg
Try our fuel economy conversion calculators to convert liters per 100km or kilometers per liter to miles per gallon.
Step Three: Estimate the Fuel Cost of Each Vehicle
Now, it’s time to estimate the cost of gasoline for each vehicle during the year. To find the fuel cost, multiply the number of gallons consumed by the cost of each gallon of gasoline.
car 1 fuel cost = car 1 gallons of gas × cost per gallon
car 2 fuel cost = car 2 gallons of gas × cost per gallon
You can also calculate the cost of gasoline using our fuel cost calculator.
Step Four: Calculate Savings
The final step is to calculate the fuel cost savings of the vehicle with better fuel economy. Simply subtract the fuel cost of vehicle 2 (with better fuel economy) from the fuel cost of vehicle 1 (the original vehicle with worse fuel economy).
fuel savings = car 1 fuel cost – car 2 fuel cost
How to Improve Fuel Efficiency
There are also many ways to improve the fuel economy of your existing vehicle without upgrading it to a different vehicle. Try these tips to improve the fuel efficiency of your current vehicle.
- Check your tire pressures regularly (about once each month) and inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressures. According to Consumer Reports, keeping your tires properly inflated will improve your fuel efficiency.[1] In addition, purchasing low rolling resistance tires can also improve your fuel economy by an additional 1 to 2 MPG. Try our tire size calculator to find a set for your vehicle. Don’t forget to check the spare tire while you’re at it!
- Maintain your vehicle properly by following the manufacturer’s specified intervals for vehicle servicing. This includes regular oil changes, filter replacements, and any other procedures spelled out in your owner’s manual. As far as repairs go, fix any issues promptly – before they become big, expensive ones!
- Drive at a consistent speed and observe the speed limit. The optimal fuel efficiency of a vehicle varies, but it’s usually reached around 50mph, according to Fueleconomy.gov.[2] Repeated and unnecessary acceleration also consumes more gas, so using your cruise control can help you maintain a steady speed and save fuel.
- Remove any unnecessary items that impair your vehicle’s aerodynamics, such as roof racks or cargo trays. These should be used only when you need them, otherwise you can expect to see a permanent drop in the fuel efficiency of your vehicle.
- Get rid of the junk in your trunk! Driving around with heavy items in your vehicle that you don’t need for daily usage will also have a negative impact on your fuel economy. Store them at home instead.
To calculate the savings of upgrading to an electric vehicle, try our electric vehicle savings calculator.
References
- Consumer Reports, Can tires improve fuel economy?, https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2010/09/can-tires-improve-fuel-economy/index.htm
- U.S. Department of Energy, Driving More Efficiently, https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/driveHabits.jsp