EPA gets real on mileage labels for '08

jkash · 09-15-2007, 09:33 AM

Although the 2008 Toyota Prius isn't in showrooms yet, the EPA back-tested several years' worth of cars using a mathematical formula based on the new testing methods.

Based on the new test, the combined city-highway mileage for the 2007 Prius dropped from 55 miles per gallon to 46, a 16% decline. The Honda Civic hybrid, also a 2007 model, showed a similar decline.

Sure won't be hard to beat the EPA figures anymore.

timstorey · 09-15-2007, 09:58 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jkash @ Sep 15 2007, 05:33 AM) [snapback]512974[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

[i]Although the 2008 Toyota Prius isn't in showrooms yet, the EPA back-tested several years' worth of cars using a mathematical formula based on the new testing methods.
[/b]

We purchased a 2008 Toyota Prius last Thursday, so they may be in dealer showrooms.

Tim Storey

hampdenwireless · 09-15-2007, 10:58 AM

The older EPA rating system was fine. I had few problems attaining the EPA ratings in the cars I owned. Thjey should have just said on the sticker "drive smart and you can get this mpg".

catgic · 09-15-2007, 12:25 PM

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narf · 09-15-2007, 01:29 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hampdenwireless @ Sep 15 2007, 08:58 AM) [snapback]512996[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The older EPA rating system was fine. I had few problems attaining the EPA ratings in the cars I owned. Thjey should have just said on the sticker "drive smart and you can get this mpg".
[/b]

Look at it this way,
The old sticker showed the potential best case MPG the car could get under ideal conditions. ( I know some people have been able to beat the old MPG numbers, but they are rare and certainly go to great efforts to do it.)
The new sticker shows what somebody is likely to get during normal driving conditions. Most people will average close to those numbers. If you work at it you will beat the numbers by a bunch.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 09-15-2007, 01:40 PM

Got gas this morning. Probably the last 60+ tank this year: 65.1mpg.
Eat that, reduced numbers!

jwe8f · 09-15-2007, 02:33 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 15 2007, 12:40 PM) [snapback]513057[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Got gas this morning. Probably the last 60+ tank this year: 65.1mpg.
Eat that, reduced numbers!
[/b]

Hey Tony, what's your route? 35 MPH through synchronized stop lights each morning? That's the only time I can clear 60...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hampdenwireless @ Sep 15 2007, 09:58 AM) [snapback]512996[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The older EPA rating system was fine. I had few problems attaining the EPA ratings in the cars I owned. Thjey should have just said on the sticker "drive smart and you can get this mpg".
[/b]

Environment counts too..

Earthling · 09-15-2007, 03:17 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jkash @ Sep 15 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]512974[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Based on the new test, the combined city-highway mileage for the 2007 Prius dropped from 55 miles per gallon to 46, a 16% decline. The Honda Civic hybrid, also a 2007 model, showed a similar decline.

[/b]

The new Prius "combined EPA" figure is still 3 times higher than that of a base Silverado with one of the smaller available engines (18 mpg):

http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/

My "combined" actual number is close to 51 mpg warm weather, and 44 mpg during the coldest part of the winter.

Harry

hampdenwireless · 09-15-2007, 06:55 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(narf @ Sep 15 2007, 01:29 PM) [snapback]513052[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Look at it this way,
The old sticker showed the potential best case MPG the car could get under ideal conditions. ( I know some people have been able to beat the old MPG numbers, but they are rare and certainly go to great efforts to do it.)
The new sticker shows what somebody is likely to get during normal driving conditions. Most people will average close to those numbers. If you work at it you will beat the numbers by a bunch.
[/b]

Well maybe I am the exception but normal driving for me has obtained the epa ratings pretty closely. That is highway at 65mph not 55 or slower. In the city I get the stated mpg too, maybe I know the lights etc. I DO NOT accelerate slowly unless I know the light will probably be changing red on me.

The new rating system is almost geared to report mpg ratings for lead foots.

DaveinOlyWA · 09-15-2007, 07:25 PM

i allways thought the old EPA figures were a bit high (although i have attained them SEVERAL times) but 46 mpg??? that is ridiculous.

we have gone from one extreme to the other. besides, the highway figure was not the one that needed adjustment. 51 mpg was just about right, maybe somewhere around 47-48 in the winter. it was the city of 60 mpg that was tough to make. that i thought should have gone done since you have to be good AND lucky to get that high

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09-15-2007, 09:33 AM	#1
jkash Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: West Hills, CA Posts: 857 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Although the 2008 Toyota Prius isn't in showrooms yet, the EPA back-tested several years' worth of cars using a mathematical formula based on the new testing methods. Based on the new test, the combined city-highway mileage for the 2007 Prius dropped from 55 miles per gallon to 46, a 16% decline. The Honda Civic hybrid, also a 2007 model, showed a similar decline. Sure won't be hard to beat the EPA figures anymore. Read more.

09-15-2007, 10:58 AM	#3
hampdenwireless Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 244 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The older EPA rating system was fine. I had few problems attaining the EPA ratings in the cars I owned. Thjey should have just said on the sticker "drive smart and you can get this mpg".

09-15-2007, 12:25 PM	#4
catgic Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: HTTP 404 Not Found Posts: 223 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	HTTP 404 Not Found

09-15-2007, 01:40 PM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,443 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 17	Got gas this morning. Probably the last 60+ tank this year: 65.1mpg. Eat that, reduced numbers!

09-15-2007, 07:25 PM	#10
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,676 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	i allways thought the old EPA figures were a bit high (although i have attained them SEVERAL times) but 46 mpg??? that is ridiculous. we have gone from one extreme to the other. besides, the highway figure was not the one that needed adjustment. 51 mpg was just about right, maybe somewhere around 47-48 in the winter. it was the city of 60 mpg that was tough to make. that i thought should have gone done since you have to be good AND lucky to get that high