Everyday Life
Gas Mileage (MPG)
Updated 2025-12-29
Definition
Miles traveled per gallon of fuel consumed. Calculate by resetting your trip odometer at a full tank, driving normally, and dividing miles traveled by gallons at the next fill-up. The EPA publishes window-sticker MPG figures based on standardized dynamometer tests that include city (stop-and-go), highway (steady cruise), and combined cycles. Real-world MPG typically lands 10-20% below sticker values due to air conditioning, cold weather, roof racks, and aggressive driving. A sedan rated at 32 combined MPG usually returns 26-29 in mixed daily driving.
Primary source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
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