What is the Difference Between Fuel Range and Actual Mileage?
2 Answers
Routine maintenance such as oil changes has almost no impact on fuel consumption. The displayed range on the dashboard is calculated based on the remaining fuel and the average fuel consumption over a recent period. Additionally, due to changes in road conditions and factors like air conditioning usage, a certain deviation between the displayed range and the actual mileage is normal. More relevant information is as follows: 1. Highway Driving: For example, with the same amount of fuel, driving on highways may result in a higher actual mileage than the displayed range, while driving purely in urban areas may result in a lower actual mileage, which is also normal. The range displayed on the vehicle dashboard can only serve as a reference value. 2. Fuel Quality: The quality of the fuel used also affects the range. If you notice higher fuel consumption recently, it is recommended to have a mechanic check the condition of components like spark plugs and use diagnostic tools to read relevant data streams for any abnormalities to better analyze the situation.
I often drive to and from work in the city, and I notice that the fuel range and the actual mileage often differ quite a bit, especially during traffic jams or peak hours. The car might display a range of 500 kilometers, but in reality, it might only cover around 450 kilometers. This is mainly because the dashboard's calculation is based on past average fuel consumption. For example, it's more accurate when driving at a constant speed on the highway, but in the city, frequent braking and acceleration increase fuel consumption, naturally reducing the actual mileage. I suggest driving more smoothly and maintaining moderate RPMs to reduce this gap and save some money on fuel. Also, pay attention to tire pressure and load—carrying too much weight can shorten the actual range and affect your refueling schedule.
