How is Real MPG calculated

The real world fuel consumption register is an excellent idea. However are drivers posting the figures from their computer or by keeping a check of fuel used and miles covered and calculating from those figures?

I have an Audi A5 2.5tdi Quattro. The computer shows fuel consumption of around 43mpg but I also log all the fuel used on the Fuel Calc app and this calculates the real consumption as around 35mpg.

This is an unacceptable difference and if typical of many cars we are all being massively mislead as to the true fuel consumption of our vehicles.

Asked on 9 May 2012 by Max Falconer

Answered by Honest John

Both. It doesn't matter because what is shown is an average of an average of an average covering all types of use and all methods of calculating the economy. The real life fuel economy register gives you a method of calculating your mpg brim to brim, based on car odometer readings, which may themselves be higher than the miles actually covered. Your difference between 35mpg and 43mpg is far greater than the average.

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