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