How do you feel about the EPA mpg rating change in 2008?

[5speed5]

In 2008, the EPA changed it's mpg rating methods to account for faster speeds and acceleration, A/C use, and colder temperatures. This resulted in the lowering of the mpg ratings for all cars (and particularly for hybrids). (See video on the subject: 2008 Fuel Economy Tests )

For the 26 years I've been driving, I've always regularly beaten the EPA estimates for every car I've owned long before I ever heard of hypermiling or ecomodding...just using common-sense driving.

For me, the new numbers are less informative rather than more. Now when I look at the mpg numbers in a new-car ad, my brain instantly goes into "ignore mode".

[Frank Lee]

You said it- same here.

[redline5th]

Well, I guess they're going to be more lax... but they've always been lax. Like you said most people with common sense can get quite a bit more to the gallon.

I guess it's a good thing because they won't come across as "dishonest" to their customers.

People will be much happier when they get higher than the EPA's standards.

Yet at the same time it will be worthless to those of us that actually check our fuel mileage.

[5speed5]

On the plus side, since ecomodder.com is using these new numbers, it makes me look like a really great hypermiler for my two trucks even though I would call my TBSS numbers plain lousy and the Colorado number (only one so far) is just barely acceptable.

[Christ]

I can see an upside to the EPA basically mandating a lower number for all vehicles...

The next time CAFE standards are raised, the equivalent mileage of each vehicle (based on the way we all drive, and the way the ratings used to be) will actually be higher than the CAFE standards.

Since the EPA is downplaying everything, if CAFE raises the bar to 30MPG average, and the EPA averages have all gone down about 10% since 2008 changeover, that means that to meet the 30MPG standard, they'd have to be getting 33MPG by the "old" rating system.

I like.

[Frank Lee]

Good point.

[Christ]

Something about glass half full, et al.

[tjts1]

Everybody loves to hate the EPA.

[Daox]

I'm pretty sure the CAFE test is different than the EPA test. Thus, you get 33 mpg on the CAFE test, but the EPA test you only get 30 mpg. They aren't the same test.

[bgd73]

I ignore the numbers too. Always have. started in '87.
never called ecomod, but had long trips daily. Knowledge unfolds eventually. The net has helped this alot, forums like this one. Revealing the unknowns in your own car...

Once downdraft swapped out for injection, the numbers are crazier than ever.Even the horsepower numbers..it is a shame for anyone with a few years.