Fuel Economy

[roxy1]

Originally Posted by why?

of course using an ethanol free gas is better. Try finding a station that has that though. I never argued using higher octane would give anyone any gains. I actually know how cars work. Modern cars do not have the ability to adjust enough stock for any higher octane.

Look, the EPA itself doesn't actually do any testing, the manufacturers do. The EPA just writes how the testing has to be done. And we all know the test itself is total bs. IF this was not the case we would not have a rash of automakers being sued over gas mileage figures, we would have a rash of lawsuits involving the EPA, because the test is totally bogus and does not apply to the real world in any way.

I understand all of this. I would say that since they revised the testing criteria in 2008 the numbers are closer to reality.

the 2nd gen yaris that had been rated at 34/40 got changed to 29/36 under the new criteria. personally, I had always beaten the old highway numbers without that much effort in all my Toyotas. the post 2008 highway numbers are very easy top beat now, imo.

there are definitely some cars out where hitting the epa numbers is harder, but even in my 2012 veloster and accent I could beat the numbers without too much hassle. it is much easier to do so in the yaris, as was the case with my fiat 500.

I suppose the epa tests could be better designed to reflect drivers who keep their foot on the gas until they are 50 feet from stop signs/lights, accelerate hard out of every stop, exceed the speed limit by 10+ mph all day, don't maintain their vehicles, etc, etc...However, i don't think the current numbers are too unrealistic for drivers who don't do those things.