And now does even more. The EPA has come out of the dark ages and modified the vehicle ratings. Use of A/C and driving over 60 mph is now part of the testing which adjusts the ratings. Here's my '04 box;

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/calcu...umn=1&id=19901

 

Damn what a differance. I just looked up my SRT-4 neon and thats alot closer than what the piece of paper said when I bought the car. Good post MrRadi8

 

And the new numbers match for my experience on the box. I've gotten better, just depends on how much lead is in my foot during the tank.

 

Yeah I've gotten better also, But there are those days when you just want to hear the engine roar.

 

But are these numbers really comparable to ones from the new tests?

What I mean is, they aren't re-testing old cars, obviously; they're just applying an arbitrary formula to reduce the old EPA estimate by some fixed percentage.

Whereas new cars will be getting a whole new method of testing, right?

So there's still a big fudge factor trying to compare *any* EPA numbers from older cars to numbers from cars getting the new tests.

Right?

R

 

Those new numbers seem pretty accurate to me. I drive mostly highway at high speed and get a little over 30 mpg....

 

I'd have to agree.
While I think its a big step forward in the testing of present/future models, it seems like a more logical approach to applying realistic mpg numbers to older cars would be using input from actual owners and real-world driving experiences.

 

Good post. Aside from the xB, I looked up several other cars I've owned over the years. The new estimates were all pretty accurate for what I've gotten in normal driving conditions. Now I drive mostly short trips in the city and get lower MPG than average (mid to upper 20's) in my xB. I've also gotten over 40 MPG so there's always going to be differences in what people get in their driving. I'm sure those with hybrids are crying foul...

 

lol

 

Thats what i get, between 26-30, i run my compressor all the time and the best that i have ever gotten was 31 when ever i go to houston or through Dallas, never have got 34 mpg, but i traded a 97 dodge with a 318 that got 12 mpg so 29 mpg is still awesome

 

I don't know how they derived the numbers for older cars that they didn't retest, but I must say that the new estimate tracks right on with my last 10,000 miles in a box.



I have gotten a bit higher on the freeway (36 MPG on one leg of a trip), but that was no A/C in use, flat terrain, and me really trying to be a featherfoot just to see what it would do.

The new figures match "average, sane driving", at least for me.

Thanks for posting this up, Sum! :D

Tom

 

The city miles definitely are alot more comparable to what I've been getting since day 1

 

its not quite a roar...

 

True its not like my Dodge Neon, but its got some ballz for a 1.5l.

 

awesome find indeed. I'm glad to see more realistic ones. Sorry hybrid owners, try opening a window

 

Pretty accurate with what I am getting also.

 

I usually stay right in the high 20s low 30s MPG...pretty close to the new EPA, still very happy...beats the heck out of my 13 MPG F-150 I traded...lol

 

Thanks for posting this, MrRadi8. I'd been waiting for this update. Now I'm getting 15% higher mpg than the EPA estimate. :@)

 

You're welcome.