That may seem like a strange question, but just listen to this: A young woman in a brand new Toyota Camry is cruising along on the interstate at an average speed of 48 miles per hour, never topping 60 mph, accelerating slowly and only driving on perfect 75-degree days, with the windows down. And from all this she ekes out 34 miles per gallon.
Now, you might be scratching your head saying, "but my [insert name of modern compact car here] gets that much!" Au contraire. That may be what the sticker on your brand-new car may say, but up until now, those numbers have been wrong.
Finally, as gas prices begin to climb, the EPA has issued new regulations for testing fuel efficiency in new cars. You see, until now automobile companies have tested cars in big labs under "perfect" running conditions (those listed above) in order to obtain the highest number possible. But now, the EPA has decided to stop sugar-coating it. Either way we're paying $3 or more per gallon, and I guess they finally started listening to poor college kids like me who want to stop being lied to. Now the estimates will better reflect the way people actually drive. According to Consumer Reports, the new gas mileage estimates will be an average of 8-12% lower, but for some vehicles it could be as high as 30% (yikes!).
Another welcome change: not only will the estimates be more accurate, but the sticker will also show an estimate of annual fuel costs and compare that number with other vehicles in its class. Also, gas mileage figures will be required for the first time on big SUV's and vans by 2011. Hopefully these changes will not only help consumers become better informed, they will also cause the companies to challenge themselves like never before, possibly even to improve the fuel efficiency to the old numbers or better.
I, for one, can't wait for all of these changes to take full effect, because ultimately, they will open up new opportunities for buyers like us, and with the greater widespread use of hybrids, there will be more competition in the market than ever before.
Yay for free enterprise!
[Information and figures from "The 'Real World' Gets a Look," Salina Journal, Vol. 137 Issue 260, 17 Sept 2007]
Good points. Most cars after a few years do not run the same. What the bleep?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/tiffany-southall
Tiffany Southall signing out by keeping you up-to-date.
well yeah thats a given, because the engine can't run in perfect condition forever. i can definitely attest to that as i've ran a total of 3 cars into the ground in 4 years. (they were all older than i am. haha.)
---------
[click]
"I pity the fool!"
I used to track the mileage on my Honda Civic, and it actually got close to the sticker. Sticker read something like 40-36, and I was averaging around 38-39. My current car I've stopped tracking as much, but living where I do and driving like I do I probably get close to 35 mpg.
But you do make a good point: driving styles and conditions drastically affect mileage. Typically the faster and harder you go the worse your numbers are.
(if you can't see the fnords they won't eat you)