Needless to say, I have been very laid back when it has come publishing my fuel economy logs. I’ve received a couple of emails from people asking me if I’ve stopped publishing the logs because I’ve started to get worse gas mileage and I didn’t want to seem like a hypocrite.
Thankfully, this isn’t the case. I’m still getting great gas mileage and the only explanation is that I’ve been too lazy to translate my data to words. So now that I have a lazy Sunday afternoon to myself, I thought it would be a great idea to go ahead and update my fuel economy logs.
Over the past four months I have driven 7,212.70 miles, used 221.22 gallons of gas and paid, on average, $2.20 per gallon, all of which adds up to an average fuel economy of 32.60 miles per gallon, which is about 12.43% higher than my car’s usual average.
This 12.43% increase in gas mileage equates to a savings of roughly $.27 per gallon, which over the past four months has equated to a total savings of $60.48, which is enough for about two fill ups.
When I combine my four month savings with my prior 24 weeks savings, I’ve saved $175.98 over the past three-quarters of a year. And considering gas prices are only going to continue to go up, this number should continue to drastically increase.
Also Brian,
WhereI work is looking into producing a fuel economy log as one of our give-aways at festivals and events.
Do you have any links which have a good template for printing ideas(of course on FSC paper and veggie ink) we have one which is from the gov. of canada, however it is for only one month and we were looking for an annual calendar
At what point does your current average become your car’s usual average?? I get 40 to 45 mpg in my 1986 honda civic Si. Do I get to say I have saved money over the published epa figures? I have been using this car for over one year. I figure I am no longer saving money and looking for ways to improve the mileage to save over what I am used to paying now. Also I drive this car at 65 mph on highway, no idea of actual average speed an my commute. The windows are always down and sunroof open, no a/c. Does this realy mean I could save money if I dumped money into the non-working a/c? Where does all this end?
“this number should continue to drastically increase.”
The number should increase at all. That would show a false result. The savings is only saving the amount compared to the gas actually cost at the time you saved. Otherwise why not use prices from the 40s or 30s? Surely your total saves must be millions by those standards! To be honest, a cost savings amount should only be used relative to the time-frame where gas was of an equivalent price. The rest just skews things to make them look better than they really are.
The only real number useful is the percent increase of mileage obtained. Even that number is only useful relative to the vehicle and nothing else. A 12% gain on my ’78 Slant 6 Volate saves a HELL of a lot more fuel and a 12% gain on any modern 4 cylinder car.
Results must be kept in perspective.
DOH….the line should have been “The number should NOT increase at all”