How MPG Improvement Savings Calculator Works?
This tool works by pricing the gallons saved when a vehicle moves from an old miles per gallon (MPG) figure to an improved one, at $3.60 per gallon.
Enter the old MPG
Type the fuel economy before the change. The default is 20 MPG.
Enter the improved MPG
Type the fuel economy after a repair, tune-up, new tires, or a new vehicle. The default is 28 MPG.
Enter the driving distance
Type the miles over which the improvement applies, for example 10,000 miles (16,093 km).
Read the savings
The tool shows the dollars saved over that distance.
MPG Improvement Savings Calculator Formula
The formula is Savings = ((Distance ÷ Old MPG) − (Distance ÷ New MPG)) × $3.60.
Savings = ((Distance ÷ Old MPG) − (Distance ÷ New MPG)) × $3.60Formula variables
- Distance ÷ Old MPG
- Gallons burned before the improvement.
- Distance ÷ New MPG
- Gallons burned after the improvement.
- $3.60
- Fixed fuel price per US gallon (3.785 L).
Worked example
- Old MPG: 20 MPG
- Improved MPG: 28 MPG
- Driving Distance: 10,000 miles
- Old gallons: 10,000 ÷ 20 = 500 gallons (1,893 L).
- New gallons: 10,000 ÷ 28 = 357.14 gallons (1,352 L).
- Savings: 142.86 × $3.60 = $514.29.
Result: $514.29 ($ saved)
An 8 MPG gain cuts fuel use by 28.6% in this example. The percentage cut equals 1 − (Old MPG ÷ New MPG), so 1 − (20 ÷ 28) = 0.286.
MPG Improvement Savings Calculator Conversion Table
The table shows savings over 10,000 miles for 3 starting MPG values and 4 improved MPG values.
Rows: Old MPG (MPG). Columns: Improved MPG (MPG). Cells: $ saved.
| MPG | 25 MPG | 28 MPG | 35 MPG | 45 MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 MPG | $960.00 | $1,114.29 | $1,371.43 | $1,600.00 |
| 20 MPG | $360.00 | $514.29 | $771.43 | $1,000.00 |
| 25 MPG | $0.00 | $154.29 | $411.43 | $640.00 |
Values held constant: Driving Distance = 10,000 miles.
A jump from 15 to 45 MPG saves $1,600.00 over 10,000 miles, nearly 4 times the $411.43 saving of a jump from 25 to 35 MPG.
What is MPG Improvement Savings Calculator?
The MPG Improvement Savings Calculator is a tool that puts a dollar value on a gain in fuel economy. The tool measures the payoff of repairs, upgrades, or better driving habits.
Fuel economy gains come from many sources: replacing a clogged air filter, fixing a faulty oxygen sensor, inflating tires to the door-jamb pressure, or switching to a more efficient vehicle.
The calculator compares gallons, not MPG, which gives the true saving. Gallons saved, multiplied by the fuel price, equals money saved.
What are the uses of MPG Improvement Savings Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the MPG Improvement Savings Calculator: valuing repairs, pricing eco-driving habits, judging tire upgrades, and comparing an old car with a replacement.
Valuing repairs
Owners compare a repair bill with the yearly fuel saving it brings back.
Pricing eco-driving habits
Drivers value a 10% MPG gain from smoother acceleration.
Judging tire upgrades
Owners price low-rolling-resistance tires that add 3% to 4% MPG.
Comparing an old car with a replacement
Buyers see the fuel saving of trading a 20 MPG car for a 28 MPG car.
Need every metric in one place? Open the main MPG Cost Calculator or browse all 101 fuel calculators.