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MPG Ratings Will Drop Under EPA Proposal

375 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2008 at 9:08 PM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

See this Edmunds.com article! EPA Overhauls Fuel Economy Estimates for 2008 - As the 2008 model-year cars hit the lot, shoppers will notice a big difference — the EPA has changed its fuel economy testing methods to produce mileage estimates that reflect "real world" driving habits. - (more)

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#61 of 375 Re: why adjust? [robertsmx] by au1994 May 02, 2006 (10:26 am)
Replying to: robertsmx (Mar 08, 2006 12:29 pm) To me, old or new EPA numbers are strictly a reference point. My 4Runner is (I believe) rated at 17/21 and I have seen within a MPG or 2 of these numbers. I knew what I was getting into when I got it so I'm not going to complain. I can tell by my MPG, when I've been to heavy on the throttle and when I've been a good boy.   Seems like it's common sense. Don't want something that gets 12 MPG, don't buy a Suburban.   What you may see happen, is a few buyers may take a closer look at the EPA ratings given the higher gas prices and pass on a vehicle. Probably a small % of guyers though. If you're buying a $40k SUV, an $85 tank of gas is not going to break the bank. Replies to this message: kakao (Jun 02, 2006 3:38 am)
#63 of 375 Re: why adjust? [au1994] by kakao Jun 02, 2006 (3:38 am)
Replying to: au1994 (May 02, 2006 10:26 am) "My 4Runner is (I believe) rated at 17/21" The exact rating depends on model (2wd/4wd) and engine displacement (4.0/4.7). There are ratings for city, highway and combined:   Cars Mileage Browser
#64 of 375 Will there be..... by rockylee Jun 13, 2006 (6:00 pm)
A EPA rating for cars burning Ethanol fuel. Will it eventually become law that estimates are given ????   Nobody I know has braught this topic up ????   Rocky
#65 of 375 Bill seeks to raise fuel economy by rockylee Jun 21, 2006 (4:08 pm)
Aggressive Senate proposal calls for 35 mpg by 2017; meanwhile, Big 3 pushing ethanol, flex fuels.   http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060620/AUTO01/606200337/- 1148   Rocky
#66 of 375 Current EPA test is ridiculous.... by larsb Jul 25, 2006 (7:18 am)
Info about the current EPA test:   Adjusting Estimates   In the early 1980s, an EPA study found that drivers were typically achieving lower fuel economy than predicted by EPA laboratory tests. As a result, EPA required the laboratory-derived city and highway MPG estimates posted on the labels of new vehicles to be adjusted downward by 10% for city estimates and by 22% for highway estimates to better reflect the MPG real-world drivers could expect from 1985 forward.   Fuel Economy Test Schedule Characteristics City - Low speeds in stop-and-go urban traffic Simulated Distance 11 miles Time 31 minutes Average Speed 20 mph Top Speed 56 mph Stops 23 Idling 18 % of the time Engine Temp at Startup Cold Lab Temperature 68 - 86 degrees F Vehicle Air conditioning Off   Highway - Free-flow traffic at highway speeds Simulated Distance 10 miles Time 12.5 minutes Average Speed 48 mph Top Speed 60 mph Stops None Idling None Engine Temp at Startup Warm Lab Temperature 68 - 86 degrees F Vehicle Air conditioning Off   So you can see, people, these tests are NOT reflective of "real world in 2006" driving.   And the 23 stops and 18% time idling is why the hybrids get such high City numbers.   It will be VERY INTERESTING to see what changes they make for the 2008 test revisions.
#67 of 375 Real World Driving numbers by occupant1 Oct 31, 2006 (2:59 pm)
If you go to the EPA's website (www.fueleconomy.gov) you can also access user inputted data for the mileage they get on their personal vehicles. For example, my wife and I both drive Chevrolet Luminas. They are both rated 20/29. Mine averages closer to 20mpg. Hers does 23-25mpg. There is no reason for one car to do better than the other. I do almost all the driving in both cars, so they should get the same. But they don't. And that's why the EPA needs to add the YMMV text to their labels. Replies to this message: tpe (Oct 31, 2006 4:35 pm) occupant1 (Nov 23, 2006 8:58 pm)
#68 of 375 Re: Real World Driving numbers [occupant1] by tpe Oct 31, 2006 (4:35 pm)
Replying to: occupant1 (Oct 31, 2006 2:59 pm) There's no reason you should see that much disparity between the two vehicles. You stated that you do most of the driving in both cars. Is the type of driving the same in terms of city/highway miles? If the answer is yes then you might want to bring the 20 mpg car into the shop. Replies to this message: occupant1 (Nov 23, 2006 8:58 pm)
#69 of 375 Re: Real World Driving numbers [tpe] by occupant1 Nov 23, 2006 (8:58 pm)
Replying to: tpe (Oct 31, 2006 4:35 pm) They get driven for the same purpose, but the '97 does get more city driving. It just shouldn't do that poorly because I do get it on the road and I do drive it gentler than the '98 because I know the tires suck. The check engine light has been on for awhile, and I determined the '97 was getting bad mileage from the cat converter being plugged up. Gave a P0420 code (converter efficiency below threshold) and O2 sensors were reading properly. The selling dealer refused to fix it, and under Texas clean air act laws, had to take it back since it won't pass emissions inspection with the light on and a bad cat. Too bad I didn't take them to court, could have got my down payment back at least.   But anyhow, we're shopping for a minivan to replace it. Just hope the Grand Caravans and Grand Voyagers we are looking at can acheive the 18/26 or thereabouts they are rated for so they can do as well as or better than that Lumina we're replacing.
#70 of 375 so it's official by nippononly Dec 11, 2006 (9:38 pm)
The EPA made its announcement today, and fuel economy ratings are getting set to DROP:   http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/12/business/12mileage.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref- =slogin   They expect an average 8% drop for highway ratings, 25% for city, and even more for hybrids. I think it's SO WEAK that manufacturers CAFE ratings will continue to be based on the old testing formula.

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