Your MPG-Based on Driving Habits and Road Conditions

When look at the sticker of a vehicle in a sales lot, you'll see a range of how many miles per gallon the average driver would get in the car. These numbers may actually mean very little to you, depending on your own driving habits, conditions of the roads you drive upon, the condition of the vehicle you're driving and even the weather.

Your driving habits and the condition of the vehicle you drive are the biggest  controllable factors affecting your MPG. Pedal to the metal type folks can get as much as 50% less miles per gallon than feather-foot drivers. Planning your route, accelerating slowly from a stop, driving with windows up and A/C off, avoiding stops when possible and being an attentive driver can pay you in savings. You can increase your profit from the use of your vehicle (or minimize cost) just by following a few guidelines. Similarly, maintaining your vehicle by keeping tires properly inflated and performing tuneups as recommended by manufacturer, you can also enjoy extra savings on your vehicle. The worst drivers, who take none of this advice, are handing their money over to oil tycoons and governments because-fast is fun and wasting money fits in with low self esteem(very possibly, or it fits with an abundance of cash). 

You might be lured into purchasing a car that gets an "EPA estimated"    X  amount of mpg freeway, even though most of your driving is city. It's important to actually consider the main use of the vehicle and focus on the mpg you're likely to get in that situation. For example, a parent that uses the vehicle to pick up kids and groceries, which is almost always mostly city driving, highway mpg will rarely be enjoyed. So many new models are getting city mpg that other vehicles struggle to get on the highway that this may not be much of an issue for drivers interested in newer models. Another important thing to consider about estimated mpg is the city or freeway driving conditions in your area. In Los Angeles, freeway driving and city driving are often synonymous with regards to mpg. In such cities, hybrid vehicles really start to become tempting, what with their super-duper city mpg estimates.In small towns with few stop signs, lights and traffic, city mpg may be surprisingly good. 

It's important to be aware of all the mpg factors within your control and make the most of it.

 You can find user reported fuel efficiency (or inefficiency) data on several websites like http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ and 

http://www.fuelly.com/ and you can find information on low cost transportation at http://www.locotranspo.com