EPA numbers explained!

This is one way in which the European tests are more realistic. They are done from cold, the urban cycle first, then going straight into the extra-urban cycle.

 

D'ooh Administers dope slap. Thanks!! Why is it always so clear when someone points things out to you?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel\";p=\"42141)</div>

It looks it is not true.

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

" the cold start, which is similar to starting a car in the morning after it has been parked all night"

Regards,
Ken@Japan

 

Ken, your fact is correct but you missed a lot of the detail. Are you running for the U.S. presidency? ;-)

Here is more of the text:
<quoted>
Two kinds of engine starts are used: the cold start, which is similar to starting a car in the morning after it has been parked all night; and the hot start, similar to restarting a vehicle after it has been warmed up, driven, and stopped for a short time.

The test used to determine the city fuel economy estimate simulates an 11-mile, stop-and-go trip with an average speed of 20 miles per hour (mph). The trip takes 31 minutes and has 23 stops. About 18 percent of the time is spent idling, as in waiting at traffic lights or in rush hour traffic. The maximum speed is 56 mph. The engine is initially started after being parked overnight. Vehicles are tested at 68 F to 86 F ambient temperature.

The test to determine the highway fuel economy estimate represents a mixture of "non-city" driving. Segments corresponding to different kinds of rural roads and interstate highways are included. The test simulates a 10-mile trip and averages 48 mph. The maximum speed is 60 mph. The test is run with the engine warmed up and has little idling time and no stops (except at the end of the test).
</quoted>


Both of these paragraphs show the fallacy of the results for most people.
First, 68F-85F is reasonable where I live for about 20 days a year. Granted the summer lows aren't WAY below 68F. but the rest of the year? I saw the "EPA avg" temps for the last time until May or June before I even got my car.

Max speed in the city of 56 mph?? Anyone doing that better be related to the cop that pulls them over.

Max speed of 60 mph on the rural/interstate? There are less than THREE miles of interstate in VT that are posted at 55. The rest are 65 and you'll soon see the rear end of pretty much every car you see in your rear view mirror if you stick to it.

I know they haven't been updated for a long time, and have issues for hybrids, but they aren't even reasonable tests for 'regular cars'. Hell, if they are simulated, how hard can it be to modify the tests?

 

so how does any of this explain why the EPA's numbers are LOWER than mine???

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bruceha_2000\";p=\"43891)</div>

Hello Bruce,

I just commented the part of Daniel's sentence was not correct.
That's all. No comment about the adequacy of the EPA tests.

Regards,
Ken@Japan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA\";p=\"43930)</div>

Um, I don't know, maybe one of these?

• Add others as you like.

 

sorry bruce... just being sarcastic

actually the real reason is that on average 11% of gas pumps are inaccurate.

using the on board computer, i have surveyed the pumps in my area until i found what i believe is a pump that gives me more for my buck.

after all, just because 11% of the pumps are inaccurate doesnt mean they all short you. in a test of local stations this past summer, KING-5 TV found that the pumps that shorted you did out number the generous ones 2.5 to 1 but that means that gasoline benefactors are available for the finding.