I read a topic here about measuring MPT (miles per tank), but I think that's an inaccurate measure. We should be measuring average MPG.
Try this;
1. Fill tank.
2. reset trip meter.
3. Drive until 1/2 or 1/4 fuel left in tank.
4. Fill up tank.
5. Look on gas receipt on how much gallons to fill it up.
6. Do the math. Miles on trip meter, divided by gallons on receipt.
7. Do step 2.

If you record enough MPG, you can actually chart it on Windows Excel.

I don't mean to flame on that topic of MPT, but I've read people are driving until their tanks are near empty, which is not good.

 

well, i think just about everyone on here does out the math and gives MPG. i've never seen someone give on miles per tank numbers without the breakdown to the gallon

 

about 6 topics down
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=140043

 

i do remember that thread, but that was one specific topic where people were just discussing how far they could travel on one tank. other than that i don't think it generally helps, but i did once get almost 400 miles on a tank

 

why is it bad to drive til the tank is almost empty?

 

it's because the fuel pump in the gas tank uses gas to lubricate itself, and if the tank gets close to empty.. empty = no fuel = no lubrication for the fuel pump..

basically.. run the tank close to empty, and run the risk of damaging the fuel pump.. and that sucks!

 

I agree with you! A lot of ppl on here always "measure" by saying "I drove 3xx miles before the warning light came on".

 

If you want the most accurate MPG measurement, use the same pump for each fill and stop pumping when it clicks off. That way your tank is “full” at the same level each time you fill.

I’ve also heard that some cars (tCs included) have an overflow tank that prevents gas from spraying back out when people try to squeeze in more gas than the tank can hold. It then sits in that tank and evaporates over time.

This is one of those quirky things that bugged me while working in a gas station, but what’s the point in trying to round off the gas amount without running over, then buying something for some odd amount, then paying with plastic……

 

But, when you overfill, doesn't the gas just flow back into the nozzle, shutting off the pump, and causing you to pay for gas you never really got?

 

doesnt it just drip back in ? just let it sit there for 10 seconds or so

at least thats what i do

 

When the pressure reaches a certain amount, yes it triggers the nozzle to shut off. But I think if you manually try to pump more it may be possible to overfill.

 

not true. I have been sprayed many times by the pumps around here. I fill it to the brim.

Before anyone goes bashing, I have done it on every car I have ever owned with no problems

 

Referring to the first few posts, take a look at the topic "solutions to saving gas". It appears there is yet more people that refer to Miles Per Tank when discussing fuel efficiency......

 

why is it not good to run it til empty?

 

Fuel pump lubrication (mentioned above)

#1 reason - tC = $16,500+........gallon of gas = $2.09 (price may vary).....laughing at somebody filling up a nice car with a red plastic container = priceless

 

The best way is to fill up, write the gallons down and how many miles on the trip. Do it several times, take the totals miles driven and divide it by the total gallons and that will give you your average. It is very hard to get and average by doing it with only one tank full.

 

That's what I do. I keep track of it in Excel along with my maintenance log. I’ve driven 10290.6 miles, filled 409.272 gallons and my average MPG is 25.14367. The highest I’ve had was 37.29 MPG and the lowest at 19.46 MPG. Very misleading when you look at single tanks.