Fuel prices continue to rise. As a result, more and more drivers are paying attention to the fuel consumption of their vehicles. While there are many factors that can change the amount of fuel your car consumes (e.g., in or out of town, road conditions, tire pressure, etc.)
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Method 1 of 3: Calculating Fuel Consumption
Step 1. The formula for fuel consumption is "Number of Kilometers divided by Amount of Fuel Used"
The fuel consumption of a car is calculated from the number of kilometers divided by the liters of gasoline used. If you know how far you have driven and the maximum capacity of your fuel tank, you can simply divide the number of kilometers by the number of liters. The result is the total fuel consumption of your car in kilometers per liter (km/l). However, this number is more often written as a fuel ratio, for example "1:20", or 20 kilometers per 1 liter of fuel.
- You can do the same calculation with miles and gallons.
- The best time to measure your car's fuel consumption is right after filling gas.
Step 2. Reset your car's trip meter after filling gas
Newer models of cars are usually equipped with a type of odometer that can be reset at any time to 0 (referred to as a trip meter). The odometer is usually located on the dashboard, near the speedometer or in the center of the screen. Near the odometer there will usually be a button that you can press and hold to return the count to 0. Before filling gas, reset the odometer to 0, then pay attention to the number on the odometer when you need to refuel again. This is the number of kilometers your vehicle has traveled since the last time it refueled.
- Your trip meter will display "0 kilometers".
- If your car is not equipped with a trip meter, you can record the number of kilometers of your car as "Initial Mileage". For example, if your car's odometer shows 10,000 when filling gas, write "10,000".
Step 3. Record the kilometer count on the odometer before you return to refueling
Before you go back to refueling, note the number of kilometers on your odometer as "Number of Miles."
If your car is not equipped with a trip meter, you can calculate the number of kilometers that have been traveled by calculating the Final Travel Number minus the Initial Travel Number. For example, if your odometer shows 10,250, you could reduce this by 10,000. This means you cover 250 kilometers with a full gas tank
Step 4. Drive your car until the gas tank is almost empty
You can do this calculation regardless of how much gas is left in your car. However, the less gas you have left, the more accurate your calculations will be.
Step 5. Record your refueling amount in liters
Fully fill your fuel tank and watch how many liters of gasoline you need. This number is your vehicle's "Amount of Fuel Consumption".
You have to fill your fuel tank to the brim. Otherwise, you won't know how much gas your car has consumed since the last charge
Step 6. Calculate your fuel consumption by dividing the number of vehicles traveled by the total fuel consumption
For example, if you travel 300 kilometers before returning to gas, and you need to fill up with 15 liters of gas, then your vehicle's fuel consumption is 1:20, or 20 kilometers per 1 liter (300 km / 15 l = 20 km/l).
- The formula is the same for miles and gallons.
- To find out how much fuel your car is using, the calculation should start from the full tank, then decrease, then until the tank is full again.
Step 7. Practice counting with examples
For example, Joko's odometer shows 23,500 with a full gas tank. After driving for a few days, he needed to refuel. On the odometer it says 23,889, and Joko needs 20 liters of gasoline to fill his car's tank to the brim. How much fuel consumption Joko's car?
- Fuel Consumption = (Number of Final Trips - Number of Initial Trips) / Total Fuel Consumption
- Fuel consumption = (23,889 km - 23,500 km) / 20 l
- Fuel consumption = 389 km / 20 l
- Fuel consumption = 19.45 km/l or ratio 1:19, 5
Method 2 of 3: Calculating Average Fuel Consumption
Step 1. Note that fuel consumption will change with driving conditions
For example, frequent stops will drain your gas faster than driving at a constant speed. This is the reason driving on the highway outside the city will consume less gas than driving in the city.
- The cruise control system in your car can help save fuel.
- The faster you drive, the higher your car's fuel consumption will be.
- Air conditioners also use fuel, so their use also consumes fuel.
Step 2. Record the fuel consumption several times to get the average fuel consumption
You need more data to get a more accurate picture of your car's fuel consumption. You can eliminate errors in your data by driving more and averaging your car's fuel consumption.
For example, you calculate fuel consumption when driving in the mountains. Of course, you'll use up gas faster; Thus, your car's fuel consumption ratio will be lower than usual
Step 3. Once the gas tank is full, return your trip meter to 0
Return your trip meter to 0 and do not change it back after filling up with gas. If your car doesn't have a trip meter (an odometer that can be reset to 0), record the number of kilometers on your odometer display.
Step 4. Record how many liters your car needs each time it fills up
You need to know how much fuel you are using to get an accurate fuel consumption measurement. Each time you fill up with gas, record the number of liters filled and keep this record.
Step 5. Drive normally for a few weeks
Do not reset your trip meter. Make sure you fill up your car 3 to 4 times to get an accurate measurement. Take this measurement when you don't have to travel far or experience heavy traffic jams, as both of these can interfere with your fuel consumption measurement.
You don't always have to fill your gas tank to the brim. To calculate fuel consumption, you just need to record the number of liters you fill
Step 6. After 2-3 weeks, fill your car's gas tank to the brim
When you are ready to calculate fuel consumption, fill your car's gas tank to the brim and record the number of liters you fill.
Step 7. Add up the number of liters you fill
This will reflect the total amount of fuel used over the recorded time.
If I buy gasoline three times, in quantities of 15 liters, 5 liters, and 10 liters, the total amount of fuel I use is 30 liters
Step 8. Calculate the total number of miles traveled divided by the number of liters of fuel
Check your trip meter to find out your average fuel consumption. Divide the number on the trip meter by the number of liters of fuel to get the average fuel consumption. This number is the exact ratio of your car's fuel consumption. In addition, this figure is also an estimate of the average fuel consumption of your car.
For example, if your car consumes 30 liters of petrol and you cover 250 kilometers, then your average fuel consumption is 8.3 km per liter (250 km / 30 l = 8.3 km/l), or 1:8, 3
Step 9. Remember that the estimated fuel consumption ratio written in the ad is usually too high
Car manufacturers are required to state the ratio of the average fuel consumption of their cars. However, these figures are usually only estimates and are too high. You can search the internet for your type of car's fuel consumption, but to be more precise, you'll have to measure yourself.
If your results are significantly different from the internet average, your car may need to be in a repair shop
Method 3 of 3: Maximizing Fuel Use
Step 1. Avoid using air conditioning (AC)
Air conditioners use gasoline to cool your car. This means, the amount of gasoline you can use for driving will be less than shown. To be more efficient, turn down the air conditioner or turn it off when your car is cold.
Air conditioning running on the maximum setting can reduce your gas availability by up to 25%
Step 2. Drive within the specified speed limit
The faster your car, the faster your gas will run out. Consumption is not small. For every 5 km/h over 50 km/h, you pay the same amount of around Rp. 2,700 per liter of gasoline.
Step 3. Drive safely
Starting a car requires more energy than keeping the car moving. This means that if you frequently drive behind other cars, stop, then move back, or overtake, you will use up more gas than if you were driving at a constant speed.
Avoid braking and accelerating suddenly. Reduce the speed of your car since it is still far away; do not apply brake suddenly
Step 4. Use cruise control when driving on long, level roads
This system can help you run the car at a consistent and even speed and avoid excessive gasoline consumption due to unnecessary acceleration and deceleration.
Step 5. When it gets stuck, turn off your car
Leaving the car idle, or staying on without starting, is the same as wasting gas. If necessary, turn off the engine to save gas.
Step 6. Avoid using the car roof trunk
The trunk of this model reduces the aerodynamics of your car, making your car slower and consuming more gas. It's more efficient if you use a trailer or fill your car trunk to the brim.
Step 7. Make sure your tires are not underinflated
If all four of your tires are flat, your car's mileage will be reduced by 0.3%. Adjust your car's tire pressure to the recommended number in the car's manual.
Some car models write the recommended tire pressure on a sticker on the driver's door or on the glove compartment
Step 8. Replace your car's air filter
This is the cheapest and easiest way to increase the fuel efficiency of your car. Make sure you buy the right filter because every car is different. Take notes of the make, model and year of your car to the nearest auto shop.
For new cars, changing the air filter does not guarantee higher fuel efficiency. However, your car will run smoother when gassed
Tips
- Replace your car's air filter.
- Pay attention to the speed limit.
- Do not let your car tires underinflated; note the recommended amount of pressure.
- Avoid using air conditioners.
