EPA Fuel Economy Myth: Too High, Too Low?

ThosLives asks: "I have seen here on Slashdot , and just about every other publication, numerous articles about fuel cells, hybrid vehicles, and the inaccuracies of EPA fuel economy stickers. For instance, today there is a review of the Toyota Prius that had the famous line 'Since no car really achieves the EPA estimated mileage...' I happen to drive a car with an EPA sticker of 21 city 25 highway (all figures in miles per gallon). I've driven the car for 47000 miles and the lowest I've ever seen is 23 and some change; the highest, 36.3 (I'm probably about 60% highway 40% stop-and-go and yes, the high was on a long highway trip). My all-time average is about 28.5. As most people get less than the EPA mileage, how does the Slashdot readership fare when it comes to EPA sticker vs actual experience, and on what type of vehicle?" "Am I a rare breed that can drive my car (2.0L I4, 170 HP, 6-speed manual) aggressively (I've had coworkers and friends say 'woah!' more than I'd like to admit *grin*) and still stomp the EPA sticker? Did I get lucky with a phenomenal car? Am I enough of a counter-example to thwart the belief that the EPA figures are 'too liberal'? Are fuel economy issues just FUD from [insert lobby group of choice]? Or is the answer simply 'it depends on how you drive, what you had for breakfast, and the color of your neighbors' cat?'"

Comments

1999 Nissan Altima 28 - 30 MPG on road trips

[puzzled]

I don't track around town mileage as my city hosts the annual Distracted Driver's Convention. Legions of them have made the choice to settle here and we all pay the price ... getting around them quickly lowers my blood pressure which is way more important than MPG.

I make a tank sized road trip twice a month to visit family and I get a consistent 28 - 30 mpg. Rolling hills of western Iowa, leaving behind a black cat that haunts our neighborhood and headed for a marmalade, mitten pawed long hair. I think cat magnetism adds 10% to the mileage figure both directions.