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Guides, tips, and in-depth articles about fuel economy, gas mileage calculation, and saving money on fuel.

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MPG Basics and Formulas Start with MPG math, conversions, and understanding label metrics. Trip Cost and Fuel Planning Plan road-trip and commute fuel spend with practical budgeting guides. EV Efficiency and MPGe Understand MPGe, charging costs, and apples-to-apples EV comparisons. Maintenance and Driving Habits Improve real-world fuel economy with behavior and upkeep checklists.

Most Used Calculators

Gas Mileage Calculator Track real MPG or L/100km from fill-up data. Trip Gas Cost Calculator Estimate gallons needed and total trip fuel spend. Cost Per Mile Calculator Compare per-mile costs across vehicles and routes. Gas vs EV Cost Calculator Run an apples-to-apples annual cost comparison.

Showing guides 16-30 of 61 (page 2 of 5).

Latest Guides

Vehicle maintenance inspection representing whether changing an air filter improves MPG
9 min read

Does a New Air Filter Improve MPG? What FuelEconomy.gov Says

"Change your air filter to boost MPG" is a common claim, but it's only sometimes true. FuelEconomy.gov explains that replacing a clogged air filter can improve fuel economy in older cars...

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Gas pump price display representing how ethanol blends affect MPG and cost per mile
11 min read

E10 vs E15 vs E85: How Ethanol Blends Affect MPG and Cost

Ethanol blends often trade lower energy per gallon for different pricing and availability. FuelEconomy.gov provides baseline estimates of how E10, E15, and E85 can affect fuel economy,...

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Fuel-efficient vehicle representing how to read the EPA electric vehicle label
10 min read

EPA Electric Vehicle Label Explained (MPGe, kWh/100 mi, Range)

The EPA’s electric vehicle (EV) label is designed to make EVs comparable — to each other and to gas cars. The label explains MPGe , kWh per 100 miles , and driving range , along...

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Highway driving representing standardized fuel economy tests used to produce EPA label MPG ratings
9 min read

EPA Fuel Economy and EV Range Testing: The 5-Cycle Method in Plain English

The MPG numbers on an EPA label come from standardized test procedures. EPA explains that modern label values reflect a set of tests and adjustments intended to better represent...

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Fuel-efficient vehicle representing how to read the EPA plug-in hybrid fuel economy label
11 min read

EPA Plug-in Hybrid Label Explained (MPGe, Gas MPG, Range)

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) can run on electricity for some miles and then switch to gasoline. EPA provides official plug-in hybrid label documentation (interactive and text versions) to...

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Gas station price sign representing the assumptions behind estimated annual fuel cost on the EPA label
8 min read

Estimated Annual Fuel Cost on the EPA Label: Assumptions and How to Adjust

The EPA label’s Estimated Annual Fuel Cost is a standardized estimate intended for comparisons across vehicles. EPA explains in its interactive label that the estimate is based on...

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Car dashboard and odometer representing tracking miles and estimating EV charging cost per mile
9 min read

EV Charging Cost Per Mile: How to Calculate It (Home and Public)

To estimate EV charging cost per mile, you need two inputs: energy use (often shown as kWh per 100 miles ) and your electricity price (in $/kWh). Multiply them (with the right unit...

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Driver reviewing efficiency tips, representing how to compare EV efficiency metrics like MPGe and kWh per 100 miles
10 min read

EV Efficiency Metrics: MPGe, kWh/100 Miles, Range, and Cost

EV shopping gets easier once you separate four ideas: energy efficiency (MPGe), electricity use (kWh per 100 miles), range (miles per charge), and cost (dollars per mile). The EPA label...

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Dashboard efficiency display representing EV energy use changes in cold weather
10 min read

EV Range in Cold Weather: What Changes and How to Plan

Cold weather can reduce EV range because winter driving often requires cabin heat and changes battery and road conditions. FuelEconomy.gov provides a cold-weather baseline and EV tips...

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Fuel nozzle representing how to identify a flex-fuel vehicle and whether it can use E85
10 min read

Flex Fuel Vehicles: How to Tell If You Can Use E85

E85 is a high-ethanol fuel that can only be used in flex-fuel vehicles (FFVs) . FuelEconomy.gov provides a practical checklist for identifying an FFV (labels, fuel door markings, and...

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Gas station price sign representing fuel costs and how to compare cars by cost per 100 miles
9 min read

Fuel Cost per 100 Miles: A Better Way to Compare Cars

“Cost per 100 miles” translates fuel economy into dollars. It is simple: take your gas price and your MPG and compute how much you spend to go 100 miles. This works especially well...

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Road driving in winter-like conditions representing why fuel economy drops in cold weather
10 min read

Fuel Economy in Cold Weather: Why MPG Drops (and What to Do)

Cold weather can reduce fuel economy for gas, diesel, hybrids, and EVs — but the mechanisms differ. FuelEconomy.gov summarizes the real-world impacts and provides practical steps...

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Summer driving heat representing how hot weather and air conditioning can reduce fuel economy
9 min read

Fuel Economy in Hot Weather: AC, Heat, and Real-World MPG

Hot weather can reduce fuel economy for both gas cars and EVs, but the reasons differ. FuelEconomy.gov summarizes that air conditioning can significantly reduce MPG in city driving and...

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Mechanic inspection representing a fuel economy maintenance checklist
11 min read

Fuel Economy Maintenance Checklist: Tires, Oil, Sensors, and Simple Checks

Maintenance is not the only driver of MPG, but it can prevent efficiency losses from stacking over time. FuelEconomy.gov (DOE) lists specific maintenance items that affect fuel economy,...

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Fuel economy tips graphic representing common myths and facts about saving gas
9 min read

Fuel Economy Myths: What’s Fact vs Fiction (DOE)

There’s no shortage of “MPG hacks” online. DOE publishes a “Fuel Economy Fact and Fiction” guide that addresses common claims about fuel-saving techniques. The big theme: a few basics...

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