A vehicle fuel economy system and method of operating same includes vehicle sensors for measuring fuel economy data about a vehicle. The fuel economy data includes an actual mileage and an actual fuel consumed of the vehicle. The vehicle fuel economy system includes a display device for displaying the fuel economy data, and a control device operatively connected for computer communication to the vehicle sensors and the display device. The control device, upon determining the actual mileage is below or equal to a predetermined mileage threshold, calculates an initial average fuel economy by adjusting the actual mileage by the predetermined mileage threshold. Also, the control device, upon determining the actual mileage is above the predetermined mileage threshold, calculates an average fuel economy based the actual mileage and the actual fuel consumed. The control device controls the display device to display the initial average fuel economy or the average fuel economy.