03-14-2013, 03:22 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Central Jersey
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European Car Manufacturers Use Hypermiler Techniques to Cheat on Tests
Car manufacturers manipulating fuel efficiency tests, says report
(I only have three posts, link bit.ly/WK9SiJ )
"Among the 20 creative but legal ways European carmakers exploit loopholes and boost official performances are: taping over cracks around doors and grills to minimise air resistance, using special super-lubricants, stopping the car's battery recharging, adjusting the wheel alignment and brakes, and testing at unrealistically high temperatures and on super-slick test-tracks."
This results in "... on average almost 25% lower than that achieved in reality, and in some cases 50% lower."
It is nice to hear that the Europeans are finally learning from us! 
Good job Ecomodders!
Last edited by Piwoslaw; 03-14-2013 at 04:21 PM..
Reason: Added url
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The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to calry For This Useful Post:
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03-15-2013, 09:57 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
Join Date: Nov 2007
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We're going to be hearing more and more about this kind of thing.
Ford in the U.S. has got the issue back into the spotlight with its latest hybrid results.
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03-15-2013, 12:48 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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I am a Consumer Reports junkie, but somehow I missed their coverage of the Ford mileflation issue. Funny, when I said Europe was learning from us, I had meant use ecomodders / hypermilers; I didn't realize I was talking about devious car manufacturers, too! It doesn't sound like Ford went as far as the European car companies e.g. disconnecting the alternators, but I guess we will have to wait for further investigation to find out.
In the meantime, we should all just buy used Metros, Corollas and CRXs to mod and hypermile. |
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03-15-2013, 02:17 PM
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#4 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
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...the automotive manufacturers have become very VERY good at "gaming" the EPA and EU emission & fuel economy testing cycles and requirements...ie: "legal" cheating.
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03-15-2013, 03:00 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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My wife is collecting $100 a year from Kia because they fudged the ratings on her Sorento.
regards
Mech
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03-15-2013, 03:55 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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EcoModding Apprentice
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The European NECD cycle is good because it's challenging for European hypermilers, only the best can beat it.
I compared a car that is sold on both markets :
2012 Golf VI 2.0 TDI 6 speed manual
EPA combined : 34 mpg
NEDC combined : 52 mpg
I only had once the opportunity to drive a newer car (Golf Bluemotion) and got 69 mpg (11% better than NEDC) on unknown roads. On my daily commute, I'd probably hit 75-80 mpg.
One of the most efficient cars here is the Renault Clio that is rated 74 mpg. The average on spritmonitor is 47 mpg...
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03-15-2013, 06:20 PM
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#7 (permalink)
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Human Environmentalist
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Why aren't the rating agencies purchasing test vehicles at random from dealerships just like CR does? That eliminates any possibility of tampering with the vehicle prior to testing.
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03-16-2013, 02:16 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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aero guerrilla
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
Why aren't the rating agencies purchasing test vehicles at random from dealerships just like CR does? That eliminates any possibility of tampering with the vehicle prior to testing.
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Because the numbers don't come from independent test agencies. Each car company tests its own cars, then publishes the results as "official". I've never read about them actually being checked, let alone punished.
__________________
e·co·mod·ding: the art of turning vehicles into what they should be
What matters is where you're going, not how fast.
"... we humans tend to screw up everything that's good enough as it is...or everything that we're attracted to, we love to go and defile it." - Chris Cornell
[Old] Piwoslaw's Peugeot 307sw modding thread
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03-16-2013, 07:47 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
Why aren't the rating agencies purchasing test vehicles at random from dealerships just like CR does? That eliminates any possibility of tampering with the vehicle prior to testing.
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The NEDC isn't run on the road but on a dyno.
The professional drivers train to get the best mileage during the test.
Adding a plug-in capacity is the greatest scam of all
__________________
Strayed to the Dark Diesel Side
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