heyholetsgogrant Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Finally, the truth about gas mileageFuel-economy ratings haven't always lined up with drivers' actual results. Now, new estimates for 2008 car models will reflect real-world miles per gallon. Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine Those of us who calculate our mileage at every fill-up already knew the truth. The general public began to notice when the redesigned Toyota Prius hit showrooms several years ago. Although the EPA said the Prius got an astronomical 60 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway, Prius drivers -- and the news media -- registered miles per gallon in the 40s. Toyota and other car makers acknowledge that the EPA numbers often overstate fuel economy, but the testing process and window-sticker ratings are controlled by reams of regulations. Now, new tests for 2008 models will more closely reflect real-world fuel efficiency. Look for the revised numbers on the window stickers of 2008 vehicles. For now, check out Kiplinger's new tool that gives estimates of what fuel economy would be for hundreds of 2007 models under the new tests. Driving like Grandma Mileage tests were developed when we more or less channeled our grandmothers' driving. For years, cars have been run in a lab on a treadmill with the air conditioners turned off, with conservative speeds and without any fast starts. In 1985, after an EPA study found that drivers were achieving lower fuel economy than predicted by the tests, the agency concocted a formula on paper to lower the official figures. But the formula didn't bring the numbers down far enough, and in 2002, the environmental group Bluewater Network, a division of Friends of the Earth, petitioned the EPA to update its procedures. The new standards will get closer to reality by factoring in higher speeds, stop-and-go driving, more-aggressive acceleration, use of air conditioning and driving in colder weather. Mileage will still vary, but the tests will reduce estimated city mpg by 12%, on average, and highway mpg by 8%, according to the EPA. Hybrids' fuel economy is likely to get a haircut of up to 30% for city driving and 20% for highway. Fuel-economy confusion Car makers generally approve of the new tests because they have heard enough grumbling from buyers. "It isn't good for anybody" when customers don't get the fuel economy shown on the window sticker, says Edward Cohen of Honda North America. But given the lower mpg estimates, car makers have a tricky marketing problem to reassure buyers that the 2008 models aren't less efficient. You can expect to see advertising that addresses the differences. One of the first car makers to face that challenge is Mitsubishi, which introduced its redesigned Lancer sedan in March. The 2006 Lancer (Mitsubishi skipped the 2007 model) gets EPA-rated fuel economy of 27 mpg in cities and 35 mpg on highways. The numbers for the 2008 model will fall to 22 and 29 mpg, respectively. On lists of top fuel misers, the new Lancer will be a no-show, at least until the other 2008 vehicles debut. One fix, at least for the Lancer, will be listing miles per gallon under both the new and the old testing procedures, says Moe Durand, the product public-relations manager for Mitsubishi. The window sticker for all cars is undergoing a slight redesign, to allow annual estimated fuel costs to be more prominently displayed. For more information about the new fuel-economy labels, see Mileagewillvary.com. This article was reported and written by Mark Solheim for Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine Source: MSN Money http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/FinallyTheTruthAboutGasMileage.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Midnight Judges Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Mileage tests were developed when we more or less channeled our grandmothers' driving. For years, cars have been run in a lab on a treadmill with the air conditioners turned off, with conservative speeds and without any fast starts. I'd like to meet the idiot who came up with this scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpillian Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'd like to meet the idiot who came up with this scheme. I concur. Pretty dumb. I can also see where it could sort of make sense. If ALL the manufacturers are running their tests the same, comparatively, it's probably about the most fair way to do it. Doesn't make a lot of sense for the consumer though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Punani Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'd like to meet the idiot who came up with this scheme. It was the group getting kickbacks from auto makers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raub Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now we'll see that the newer turbo-diesels are just as efficient as hybrids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chump Bailey Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'm happy with my car, a 2007 Civic, and I consistently get 40 MPG per tank, which I believe is 5MPG over the estimate that was stated when I purchased it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 most of the difference between the test numbers and actual numbers has to do with acceleration rates and not anticipating stops. Of course traffic, and aggressive driving contribute. I've been able to tweak an extra 2 miles per gallon by starting of moderately and anticipating stops but it sucked cause I got passed by everyone and sat at twice as many redlights Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now we'll see that the newer turbo-diesels are just as efficient as hybrids. probably more Raub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dictator Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now we'll see that the newer turbo-diesels are just as efficient as hybrids. But thanks to CAFE restrictions manufacturers are hesitant to introduce them to the US Market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dockeryfan Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now we'll see that the newer turbo-diesels are just as efficient as hybrids. Probably. I know 2 people who tell me they have gotten as high as 38-40mpg with the Jetta. The 2004 model, I think. Just plain old diesel engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raub Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Probably. I know 2 people who tell me they have gotten as high as 38-40mpg with the Jetta. The 2004 model, I think. Just plain old diesel engine. I get 43-44 mpg with my 2006 Jetta TDI.....and I drive like an idiot. If I drive conservatively I get 46-47 mpg. The newer TDIs combined with the new Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel are also pretty environmentally friendly. There are diesels in Europe that get over 60mpg, and in some EU countries the majority of cars sold are diesel. Unfortunately we appear to be hooked on monstrous gas-guzzling behemoths. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I get 43-44 mpg with my 2006 Jetta TDI.....and I drive like an idiot. If I drive conservatively I get 46-47 mpg. The newer TDIs combined with the new Ultra Low-Sulfur Diesel are also pretty environmentally friendly. There are diesels in Europe that get over 60mpg, and in some EU countries the majority of cars sold are diesel. Unfortunately we appear to be hooked on monstrous gas-guzzling behemoths. I've always liked VWs but a lot of people (service professionals) have warned that they have terrible electrical problems from time to time. Had any trouble with your VWs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I've always liked VWs but a lot of people (service professionals) have warned that they have terrible electrical problems from time to time. Had any trouble with your VWs? I've owned a Passat wagon now for 4 and a half years. I have 109,000 miles on it. I haven't had any electrical problems. I did have to replace the water pump a while back though. EDIT: I was looking at the diesel Passat wagons and noticed that they have the new BlueMotion ones, but they are only available for sale in Europe. Hopefully they will bring that high mileage technology to the states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinsfan44 Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 My 2000 Chevy 4x4 pick-up is rated at 15 city/19 highway, but I get 21 MPG on the highway. And I drive like a "bat out of hell" most times. :laugh: Go figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raub Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I've always liked VWs but a lot of people (service professionals) have warned that they have terrible electrical problems from time to time. Had any trouble with your VWs? Haven't had any issues. We have the Jetta and a GTi right now and love them both. I think people are still giving VW a bad rap for things that were issues years ago. Just my :2cents: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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