Its about &#$! #$%!@ Freakin Time



http://www.boston.com/cars/articles/...leage_testing/

 

I am still never going to trust them. All you have to do is look at consumer reports and talk to actual owners to know their mpg.

 

its not that the EPA or auto makers are 'inflating' the numbers, or making them up....its the fact that the test method doesnt mimic real world driving.

The EPA rating on the RX8 is what 18/24 ?

every tank of gas I put in the car gives me 20/25 city/highway.........thats OVER epa estimates. I know that all of out 8's are a little differnt and so are we....but a great deal of it comes down to HOW you drive it!

 

While no test is every going to be perfect, the current test is so far of the mark its not worth the paper its printed on.

 

Wasn't till I got rid of the oxygenated fuel that my RX-8 is close to the EPA numbers.. (using E10, I got much much worse fuel economy.)

 

so how many numbers will this 'new' EPA mileage rating system will come up with?

 

6.5/13/22.5 (racing/city/highway) here i can live with that

 

The problem with CAFE is that they use the uncorrected numbers from the EPA test.
City window sticker is 10% less, Highway is 22% less.
So the cafe targets are an easy target.
So if the window sticker is unrealistic as to what drivers actually get, what good is CAFE, none.

 

Just got my 45,000 mile service and the "R" flash (NICE!!!). I was very disciplined on the Interstate and held her to 70-72 (3600 rpm). This is the first time I've come anywhere close to the EPA numbers: 23.4 mpg running through 14 gal. It was a bit of a thrill watching the odometer roll past 300 without the warning light on, but not enough to make up for the frustration of driving that slow.

 

Yeah, following the law of the speed limit on the fastest roads in America, how frustrating.

 

Finally. People who consider mileage when purchasing a car are gong to start crapping bricks when they see a more real world mileage indicated on the windows.

What I wonder is how this will affect Federal and State mileage requirements. Will they lower those estimates based on the new testing, then go from there? I would think they'd have to.

 

Most cars can get or exceed the current hwy mileage if you look at the consumer reports testing. Its the city mileage for SUV's and trucks that is going to be really embarising for many automakers if the test changes.

In reality, if you don't drive it like you stole it, most average cars won't see a meaningful impact. Its the trucks and SUV's that have the most to worry about.