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Author Topic: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?  (Read 464 times)

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Offline Conan The Librarian

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Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« on: May 14, 2012, 05:29:56 AM »
For all the cars I've owned recently, my actual miles per gallon is significantly greater than the EPA estimates. This is especially true with diesels, like 20% better fuel economy.  What's your experience?
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Offline yellowtail3

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #1 on: May 14, 2012, 05:45:30 AM »
I can beat EPA numbers, regularly - by quite a  bit, though effort is req'd.
 
EPA number for my car are 23City/32Hwy 26 combined (94 Mercury Wagon). A few years ago they re-jiggered the EPA numbers to lower them, which made beating them even easier. This car orig rated as 26city/34Hwy.

Most tankfuls in the old wagon are 35-38mpg. I've cracked 40mpg a few times, but that requires very deliberate effort, and isn't easy to do.
Technique: short shift at under 2500rpm, let a little highway speed bleed off going uphills, keep highway speed below 65. Coast to stops, shut down engine for long stops, part in ways that'll allow quick exit from lot.
 
I run 40psi in tires (that old bit about tires wearing in the middle with mild overpressure is waaaaay outdated bias ply-era misinformation, when it comes to radials). Tradeoff is rougher ride.
 
If you made a road trip in this car and actually drove 55mph - or even 60mph - you'd break 40mpg.
 
 
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Offline Old Fart

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #2 on: May 14, 2012, 05:49:31 AM »
I recently rented a new Camaro that was rated at 25 mpg.
The little computer on board said it was getting 15.something.  :o
I wasn't hot rodding it either.  ;)
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #3 on: May 14, 2012, 06:01:07 AM »
nither a Dodge or Chey diesel PU got what the EPA listed both were loaded with hand tools maybe 400 lbs . The Ford 6.2 with same load comes close if I stay off the gas  ;)
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Offline yellowtail3

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2012, 06:09:57 AM »
Quote from: Old Fart on May 14, 2012, 05:49:31 AM
I recently rented a new Camaro that was rated at 25 mpg.
The little computer on board said it was getting 15.something.  :o
I wasn't hot rodding it either.  ;)
Old Fart - did you rent an SS or the V6 version?
Maybe the mpg indicator hadn't been reset, and you were seeing cumulative average of last few drivers. Or, maybe you were having more fun than you are reporting here...  8)
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Offline Old Fart

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #5 on: May 14, 2012, 07:51:05 AM »
Quote from: yellowtail3 on May 14, 2012, 06:09:57 AM
Quote from: Old Fart on May 14, 2012, 05:49:31 AM
I recently rented a new Camaro that was rated at 25 mpg.
The little computer on board said it was getting 15.something.  :o
I wasn't hot rodding it either.  ;)
Old Fart - did you rent an SS or the V6 version?
Maybe the mpg indicator hadn't been reset, and you were seeing cumulative average of last few drivers. Or, maybe you were having more fun than you are reporting here...  8)

V8, we my wife was considering buying one (second childhood  ;D ).
We reset it it to check, turns out a good thing.  ::)
About 70% hiway 30% city.
 
Speedometer had 160 mph on it, never tried.  ;)   :D
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Offline yellowtail3

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2012, 08:03:32 AM »
Quote from: Old Fart on May 14, 2012, 07:51:05 AM

Speedometer had 160 mph on it, never tried.  ;)   :D

Before you buy, check out a 2012 Mustang. The V8 version is an absolute home run - a killer 400+ hp DOHC engine, and hits all the 67-69 styling cues, down to the shape of the dash & numbers on the speedo/tach. Skip the V6; it might have 300hp and be capable of near-30mpg, but it's governed to 114mph or so - what kind of fun is that?
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Offline Old Syko

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2012, 08:22:15 AM »
The 2012 Camaro may be rated 16 city and 24 highway but don't believe it.  Buddy has one and his driving is probably 60/40 with the 60 being highway.  He tells me he's yet to exceed 16 by much yet. 


Without showing much concern I usually get about the estimated mileage or a bit better, but not by much.  Yep, I can coax a lot more out of most of them but that isn't what I got them for.  I ain't entering the Shell Challenge.
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Offline Doublebass73

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #8 on: May 14, 2012, 08:28:40 AM »
My '99 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 5 speed is rated 21 highway. In the warmer months my average MPG is 25 sometimes 26.
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Offline woodchukhntr

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #9 on: May 14, 2012, 08:54:57 AM »
My new Chrysler Town & Country van is rated at 17/25.  I haven't gone as low as 17, and got 27 between St. Augustine and Sarasota in February.  That was without anything heavy inside, 2 persons, and the roof racks in the stowed position.
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Offline Sourdough

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #10 on: May 15, 2012, 09:27:30 AM »
Nope, not even close.  My diesel pickup was rated at 14 and 19.  I get 12 mpg period, city or highway. 
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Offline SHOOTALL

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Re: Does your mileage vary from EPA estimate?
« Reply #11 on: May 15, 2012, 09:41:50 AM »
Quote from: woodchukhntr on May 14, 2012, 08:54:57 AM
My new Chrysler Town & Country van is rated at 17/25.  I haven't gone as low as 17, and got 27 between St. Augustine and Sarasota in February.  That was without anything heavy inside, 2 persons, and the roof racks in the stowed position.

It must be nice to not have hills to kill mpg.
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