Is It Normal to Drive 400 Kilometers on a Full Tank of Gas?
2 Answers
It is a normal situation because fuel tank sizes and fuel consumption rates vary, leading to different driving ranges. Below is relevant information about fuel consumption: 1. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers: This refers to the amount of fuel a vehicle consumes when driving 100 kilometers at a certain speed on the road. It is a theoretical indicator for the vehicle. Manufacturers measure this value by installing a dynamometer on the vehicle chassis in controlled environments, converting the results into speed parameters, and then calculating the theoretical experimental fuel consumption data per 100 kilometers at specified speeds. 2. Road condition fuel consumption: Also known as multi-condition road cycle fuel consumption, this is a fuel indicator calculated based on repeated tests where the vehicle is driven at specified speeds and times on designated roads. The standard specifies that each cycle includes various driving conditions, recording parameters such as gear shift timing, parking duration, driving speed, acceleration, braking, and deceleration. This method yields values that are closer to real-world conditions.
Having driven various models for over a decade, whether 400 kilometers per tank is normal depends on multiple factors. There's significant variation between models: compact hatchbacks typically have 40-50 liter fuel tanks with average consumption of 7-8L/100km, capable of 500-700km range; if you drive SUVs or pickups with 60+ liter tanks consuming 10-15L/100km, 400km is quite common. Driving habits make notable differences: stop-and-go city traffic can increase fuel consumption by 20%; using AC at full load or highway speeding also reduces range. I often recommend measuring actual fuel efficiency by this method: record mileage after refueling, then divide distance traveled by fuel consumed at next refuel. If consistently low, check tire pressure, air filter or spark plug wear – regular maintenance can improve efficiency by over 10%.
