EPA mileage ratings for different car models can be a good criterion based on which consumers can make an informed decision on the vehicle to buy. The EPA ratings are determined based on a series of tests conducted by EPA under controlled conditions. How are the tests conducted? Let's see.
1. The first category is for city driving. Here the car is kept sitting a whole night and then it is driven in the rush traffic hours when the car has to brake frequently and start again.
2. The next category is called highway driving. Here the test starts with a warmed-up vehicle and not in the same condition as the vehicle was when it had the city run. Now the vehicle is driven across a good blend of roads including highways, country roads, Interstates and typically includes freeways as well.
All vehicles are tested in the same manner. Generally the different variables that affect a vehicle's mileage include:
Road conditions are very important considerations. If you are driving on good roads freeways or highways you will get a better mileage than you would on a bad road full of potholes and craters.
Being stuck in the traffic influences the mileage too.
Drastic weather changes also influence the mileage.
Getting the correct volume of
gas in the tank is often a tricky business. What the pump auto stop indicates as full tank is actually not a full tank.
The vehicle's make and model also influences the fuel economy.
Driving habits of individual drivers, whether they always over speed or whether they use cruise control, whether they brake often or they drive smooth; all of these affect the fuel economy of the vehicle.
Last but not the least and the most important factor to consider while calculating mileage is the engine condition.
The fueleconomy.gov site gives you a comprehensive third party test values for different models of cars. If you do not want to believe in the mileage tag provided with a new car or if you do not have the mileage of a pre-owned car that you are planning to buy/sell then the website could be a good place to refer to. The vehicles are categorized based on the year of it was manufactured.
The car or the truck that you choose to buy is solely your decision. It is always a good idea to gather as much information as possible before spending money. The fueleconomy.gov site is a storehouse of information. For more information, you can refer to the EPA website as well.
Author Resource:-
Gregg Hall is an author living on the Emerald Coast of Florida. Now that you know a little more about gas mileage be sure that you get gas saving products by going to http://www.nsearch.com
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