Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
Who does the MPG calculations for cars that we see on the sticker in the window? Is it by the EPA or the auto manufacturerer? What do they do to estimate this, actually driving it or just calculating the engine size, car weight etc. as to what they think it will be? The reason I ask is it isn't always very accurate. Below is a list of cars I've experienced that aren't true to the EPA/manufacturer's estimates. If car companies went by what their cars actually get then they'd probably sell more, obviously whatever tests they use aren't very accurate. Why can so many cars easily beat the ratings?
2002 Chevy Trailblazer LTZ 4.2L I6 w/3.73 towing gears - Thermostat stuck open, won't warm up past 1/4 way.
Rated 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Actual readings from onboard computer (pretty accurate actually) 17 mpg city/ 21 mpg at 80 mph, lots of hills/ aggressive driving, 26+ mpg highway at 65 mph
1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L w/a little bit bigger tires
Rated 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway
Actual calculation was 21.8 mpg highway with 800 pounds of people in it plus lots of stuff in it (calculation compensated for tire size)
2004 VW Beetle TDI
Rated 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway
Actual calculation 35 mpg city, 38 mpg mixed driving, 44 mpg highway at 65 mph
1997 Toyota Camry I4 -
Rated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Actual calculation 23 mpg city, 25 mpg mixed, 33 mpg at 80 mph, 36.72 mpg at 65 mph
1996 Lexus ES300 V6 - Burns 1 quart of oil per 400/500 miles
Rated 21 mpg city/ 26 mpg highway
Actual calculation was 28/29 mpg at 100% of tank at 80 mph with some hills
2002 Chevy Trailblazer LTZ 4.2L I6 w/3.73 towing gears - Thermostat stuck open, won't warm up past 1/4 way.
Rated 16 mpg city/20 mpg highway
Actual readings from onboard computer (pretty accurate actually) 17 mpg city/ 21 mpg at 80 mph, lots of hills/ aggressive driving, 26+ mpg highway at 65 mph
1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L w/a little bit bigger tires
Rated 14 mpg city/18 mpg highway
Actual calculation was 21.8 mpg highway with 800 pounds of people in it plus lots of stuff in it (calculation compensated for tire size)
2004 VW Beetle TDI
Rated 30 mpg city/38 mpg highway
Actual calculation 35 mpg city, 38 mpg mixed driving, 44 mpg highway at 65 mph
1997 Toyota Camry I4 -
Rated 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway
Actual calculation 23 mpg city, 25 mpg mixed, 33 mpg at 80 mph, 36.72 mpg at 65 mph
1996 Lexus ES300 V6 - Burns 1 quart of oil per 400/500 miles
Rated 21 mpg city/ 26 mpg highway
Actual calculation was 28/29 mpg at 100% of tank at 80 mph with some hills