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Author Topic: Trying to figure out actual Fuel Economy of Vehicles Post a Reply Back to Topics
KoiKitty

Sophomore Author
Modesto

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:16:36 AM

Hello Members,
I am currently looking into purchasing a new vehicle and want to get actual Fuel Economy of vehicles out in the real world.
Please post your replies in this layout:

Year, Make, Model, MPG

This is also with the implied understanding of 50% city /50% highway driving.
If you only drive city please state.

Thanks.
REPLIES (newest first)
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: May 12, 2012 8:31:12 AM

I haven't seen anyone as yet including the dealers that actually tell the truth about their vehicles gas milage.
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GBHUGVA
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 1:26:27 PM

sounds like a math problem gone wrong if they got 70 in a prius, our computer reads 46-49 most of the time, and the gas gauge is garbage, it reads empty at 300 miles. We usually take a chance and go around 400miles. We also fill to the top each time, and then just divide; 395miles/9.8gal to get 40.3 mpg last fill. Weather here is fair 50-80degrees during that tank. Thats the way I was told to calc. mpg.
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tlhIngan_
Champion Author Calgary

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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 1:12:56 PM

Like forresj said -- Your mileage will vary. My vehicles get way better gas mileage when the wife drives them. The sticker on a new vehicle states the mileage each car got during a government standard test. Your actual mileage will vary, but the sticker can tell you which vehicle is more efficient and which one isn't.
As for hybrids, it is very easy to get way worse gas mileage than what is stated on the sticker. All you have to do is have to be somewhere on time...
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Houckster
Champion Author Atlanta

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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 11:04:30 AM

First, you'll extremely unlikely to get the kind of information you're requesting from this board. Many if not most will simply be irrelevant. You have to define your needs for the new car and start generating a list of cars that come close to meeting your needs. From here you can use EPA estimates to determine the car with the best mileage but even with today's high prices, fuel consumption is still not at the top of the list. Things like the reliability of the vehicle and the quality of the dealership are considerations as well.

Even if you were to encounter someone with the very same car you're interested in, there are many variables that could result in substantial differences in mileage.

RICK_EVANS makes an excellent suggestion so if the car you're interested in is heavily reported, that's a good start. Drivers there report the amount of driving they do in the city and on the highway but driving style alone will be a huge factor.

A second possibility, if you've kept records of your fuel consumption and mileage is to compare your mileage with the EPA estimates for the ride you have now. That should give you another rough indication of what percentage of the EPA estimate in miles per gallon you'll get in your new ride. This is to say that if your records indicate that you got, say, 5% more mileage from your car than the EPA estimate, you'll probably be somewhat close to that on the new ride unless your driving patterns and driving style have changed.



[Edited by: Houckster at 5/10/2012 11:10:19 AM EST]
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GBHUGVA
Champion Author Virginia Beach

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Message Posted: May 10, 2012 9:49:06 AM

Honda like Toyota lies about MPG's, The wifes Prius got 40.3(395miles on 9.8gal) last fill NOT the 60 Toyota claims. While our Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD gets 32.5 close to the 34/31 the sticker claims.
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rick_evans
Champion Author Boston

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Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 11:03:50 AM

Try fueleconomy.gov where drivers report actual mpgs that get averaged and compared to the EPA estimate.
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forresj
Champion Author Wilmington

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Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 9:54:30 AM

It's difficult to get an accurate number on the real world conditions since everyone drives differently (aggressive, passive, conservative, etc.) I would go by the information on the sticker. You'll find out that it's close enough.
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easydriver11
Sophomore Author Cape Coral

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Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 9:44:13 AM

use a bicycle
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Apr 15, 2012 8:47:58 AM

Forget that sticker nonsense on cars. Set the trip meter to zero miles, fill up the vehicle and drive it for a while and refill it, then divide your number of gallons on the next fill up into the miles on the trip meter at that time. That is your true miles per gallon.
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maxstar
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 3:48:32 PM

The MPG figures on the cars price sticker are only good as a starting point. They are not calculated under real world condition but under controlled conditions in a "lab". The idea is to give you a relative comparison number.

As jamieg2012, Gas_Buddy and Banjoe point out manu other factors will determine your MPG. What you drive, how you drive, when you drive, where you drive, how the car is equipped, the condition of the car and many other factors will determine your actual real world MPG so take any answers with a grain of salt.
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Banjoe
Champion Author Winnipeg

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Message Posted: Apr 14, 2012 9:13:17 AM

KoiKitty - challenging question. Like the rest of the responders have stated, more efficient vehicles get better mileage and what actual mileage results depends entirely on individual drivers' approach to driving.

Manufacturer's mileage figures are valuable for comparative information but there's a good reason why they always state that 'your mileage may vary'.

I respectfully suggest that you check out diesels as a potential option that you might enjoy. We have our first VW Golf diesel and love the 60 mpg and surprisingly good performance for a 140 hp engine. Not saying this would appeal to you as it never did to me before trying out something completely different on my quest for a new vehicle.

Good luck on your quest KoiKitty.
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Gas_Buddy
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 8:31:03 PM

Wait a second. You're looking at purchasing a new vehicle and want to get fuel economy for vehicles.

First, forget that fuel economy isn't the only criteria for buying a car, nor should it be.

Second, You want people from all over to post the information you're asking for their car? Without knowing their driving habits, and unless there are multiple responses for the same year, make, and model, all you're getting are isolated responses.

But you really want to know the year make, model and mpg for every car on the road today?

Maybe you could be a little more specific, and narrow down what you're interested in, and then ask about those vehicles?

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KoiKitty
Sophomore Author Modesto

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Message Posted: Apr 13, 2012 12:35:36 PM

2000 Ford Contour 25mpg, I have found that I can get 35mpg if all I do is highway.
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Natalie1Nissan
Rookie Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 7:20:31 PM

How you drive is a major factor. 2011 Nissan Sentra 2.0 S CVT, 37 MPG city / 52 MPG highway.
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monkey102010
Sophomore Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 2:22:37 PM

Drove a 2011 dodge caravan and got 19-20 mpg city and 25-26 highway. Like other others before said driving habits play a big role and I am one of the conservative type of drivers. Also drove a 2011 jeep patriot 2wd and got 32.3 mpg highway miles. I don't own these cars just had rented them long enough to where I filled up at least twice with them. Oh and a 2010 Ford focus I averaged 31-33 mpg in a combination of city and highway.

[Edited by: monkey102010 at 4/12/2012 2:29:38 PM EST]
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Pucelle
Rookie Author Rochester

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 1:20:58 PM

I agree with the above, it's more about how you drive. I get more fuel economy now because I'm being more conservative in how I drive and paying attention to MPH calcs.
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monettnamreg
Rookie Author Missouri

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 1:19:29 PM

I get in average 20 in town about 30 highway i have a 1993 nissan pickup.
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jamieg2012
Veteran Author Sioux Falls

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 12:19:31 PM

it also depends how you drive

a person that drives the speed limit and eases up to speed will get a lot better economy out of a car than a person that drives interstate speeds through the middle of town and slams the accelerator down to get as fast as possible as soon as possible

these 2 driving styles can get far different real world economy out of the exact same car with engine size burning the same gas and absolutely nothing about the car is different

real world hate posts about a car could be posted by these accelerator slamming race drivers - those people will never get the best economy the car is capable of
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DesertRat2011
Champion Author Riverside

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Message Posted: Apr 12, 2012 11:32:59 AM

Check out www.fueleconomy.gov You will get real word milages. I have three vehicles posted in there. 2002 Jetta TDI, 2005 Honda Accord 4 cyl. & 2001 Ford Sport Trac.

[Edited by: DesertRat2011 at 4/12/2012 11:36:00 AM EST]
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