www.fueleconomy.gov

[Stan]

Pretty interesting website actually: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

The real reason I bring it up is that while looking for the official EPA fuel economy figures for my Golf ('02 TDi 5-sp), I noticed that they have a "new" and an "old" procedure. To see it, click on the "Compare to Official EPA Window Sticker MPG" link (opens new JavaScript window).

In other words, how will this new procedure impact the 35 mpg requirement being phased in? My Golf was credited with a combined 45 mpg under the "old" EPA standard (and actually got that or better right from new). According to the "new" standard it should only have gotten about 38 mpg. Does that mean that the "new" 35 mpg standard is really 42 mpg by the "old" standard?

Also, does that mean that the old fleet average of 26 mpg was really 19 mpg under the new standard? If so, that implies the new standard of 35 mpg will raise fleet standards not by 9 mpg (35-26=9), but by 16 mpg (35-19=16).

Kind of a sneaky way to go about it...but I'm okay with that!

[trebuchet03]

Very good point If the timing was better - I'd agree it was sneaky But either way - it's pointing in the right direction.

[jazzie604]

Ive been using that sight for 6-9 months. After gas made one of its large jumps last summer, my shop started getting lots of gas mileage complaints. 75% of the people were telling me "it used to take $20 to fill a tank, now it takes $30." I then had to do the math for them, and finally was able to tell them that they were getting the same mileage. :shakeshead:
I then found this website so that I could tell them what was "normal" and the fact that their erratic driving was the difference. I always thought that figuring out gas mileage was a simple thing, but apparently the common driver isnt able to understand what "miles per gallon" means. :shrug:

[Frank Lee]

The common driver ceases to amaze me!

[PaleMelanesian]

The original Highway and City tests are still in use for CAFE. No change there.

In 1985, the numbers were adjusted down about 15%, to make the ratings more "realistic". Still the same test, just reported with an adjustment factor.

In 2008, 3 more tests are added. High-speed (70mph, harder accel), Hot (hi-temp, AC), and Cold (same city test, just colder temps). These are averaged with the old tests (adjusted) and reported on the sticker. Approximately 15% extra reduction.

So, the CAFE 35mpg means a 85-2007 epa rating of about 29.8, or a 2008+ rating of 25.3.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml