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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?'"

4 of 1,378 comments (clear)

  1. Wait a second by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 0, Troll

    "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...' "

    If the review came out today, how did that line become so famous so fast? Or is this really a "famous" line? I live in a cave, so maybe I missed that one.

    If I don't get mileage reasonably close to the EPA numbers, I take the car back to the dealer and ask them to check it out.

  2. Re:Ford Escord and Mini Cooper S by BizidyDizidy · · Score: 0, Troll

    General Note:

    If a fellow loser tells you you're not a loser, seek a second opinion or twelve. You're both the two biggest nerds I've ever heard of. I don't know what a wonk is, but I'm guessing y'all are those as well.

    --
    The safest way to approach lava is to have another person with you and he goes first.
  3. Re:Depends on Cat by Alien+Being · · Score: 0, Troll

    "If it hadn't been a black cat I wouldn't have run over it at night."

    I would have.

  4. Re:Thus the phrase... by dasmegabyte · · Score: 0, Troll

    JESUS FUCKING CHRIST, IS IT REALLY THAT HARD TO USE AN APOSTOPHE?

    You are == you're. It's a goddamn contraction. You should have learned that in first grade. You can make up for it by never making this mistake again.

    Oh, and to get on topic: if your car gets less than 30 miles per gallon, it is a pathetic stone age piece of shit that you should have crushed as soon as possible in the interest of national security. It does not matter that you enjoy driving your SUV. I enjoy punching polluting fucks in the teeth, but I am not allowed to do that so i don't see why we shouldn't both suffer.

    --
    Hey freaks: now you're ju