OT: How are EPA Mileage standards calculated ?

[cbelt3]

Reading Forbes's "Most fuel efficient cars" and I noted that the 'most fuel efficient car in the US' gets lower mileage than my 77K miles 2002 Honda Civic (last measurement was 40.3 mpg average city/highway). So how does the EPA 'measure' efficiency ? Do they assume everyone drives like Dale Jr ?

[olnacl]

I think so, and for 2008 they revised the numbers down to account for people not getting what was on the window sticker. I just read a Consumer report article on the 2007 Honda CRV and they reported 21 MPG on the AWD model they tested. My 2007 AWD with 5000 miles on it has averaged 26+ mpg over the entire 5000 miles, most of which has been urban use - maybe 500 miles on the highway. YMMV (chuckles)

[Chupa Chupa]

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fueleconom...ticle.html

[Acer]

[tuqqer]

I've heard that what they do is raise a car up on jacks, so that the wheels are all floating in the air. Then they put the car in drive.

[OWC Jamie]

dynamometers, in a lab, so that each test is equivalent.

This year's testing has been changed to reflect a closer example of real world driving, so numbers may be lower thatn previous year models.

If you buy an exact replacement 2008 for your 2002 you should get similar mileage to what you are getting with your real world driving.

check your tires and drive as though you were filling by the capful, rather than the tankful. :-)

[GGD]

Here's what the EPA says:

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

BTW: Here's their best/worst list for 2008

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

Several are listed above 40MPG

[cbelt3]

GG- thanks.

Wow, those US automakers are sure absent from the list !

[ztirffritz]

They user dynamometers (sp?) and aerodynamics calculations. The makes submit their numbers, and the EPA audits about 15% of them for accuracy.

[Forrest]

Some thing to keep in mind - the 2008 Honda Civic (5 speed automatic) is rated for 35 mpg Hwy and I routinely get 37 mpg during my daily commute (75% hwy and 25% city driving). Also the 2008 Civic is an ULV (ultra low vehicle emissions) vehicle that also includes 7 air bags - so it's a lot cleaner and safer than the 2002 model.