How do you keep track of MPG?

[Conanius]

As topic really..

I've just started using Fuelly on the iPhone after starting a new job about 35 miles away. Mainly, to see if my man maths had been remotely accurate.

I'm driving a 2004 Discovery 3 HSE with the 4.4 V8 Petrol 6spd Automatic, and Fuelly reckons that over 1656 Miles I've averaged 18.59 MPG, with a best fill of 20.92

I think I can get it a bit higher, maybe to 21-22mpg consistently, as I'm learning better routes and becoming more 'aware' of managing my fuel economy. It's a combination of NSL Dual Carridgeways and country lanes, and lots of hills (joys of the Cotswolds).

I'd worked out that I thought I could average 16mpg, and with that, I'd have been happy.

Interestingly my trip computer is consistently within 10% of the Fuelly figures, which I guess is about spot on for the 'usual' difference between the two.

 

[Conanius]

Do people really care this much? I only check the MPG after the first couple of tank fulls on a new car and then it's business as usual..

I'm surprised anyone would obsess over mpg when driving a 4.4l v8? Did you not know what you were getting yourself in to before you bought the car?

I'm doing it out of interest really. I'd said I would be delighted to manage an average of 16mpg in the car, so the current figures are a pleasant surprise. Seeing a major dip also could point to an issue that needs fixing.

So yes, I knew exactly what I was taking on, hence the 2.5k 'oh crap' fund on top of expected costs.