Oildummy.com

    Prospective car buyers across the US are in for a little surprise at the car dealership.  The long-used tests to determine a vehicle’s gas mileage are getting a real-world change for 21st century driving in the United States.  The new testing will be more realistic in accounting for American driving characteristics such as higher speeds and acceleration, use of A/C, and the effects of cold weather on driving. 

    The new rankings are definitely more accurate for the average American driver.  A 2007 4-cylinder Toyota Camry drops from 33 highway mpg’s to 30.  Hybrid ratings fare even worse, as the old rankings were very favorable to these cars.  Hybrid ratings are still good, no doubt, but people won’t be disappointed by lofty expectations. 

    Hopefully lower ratings will keep some people away from large SUVs and convince them to purchase a different vehicle.  A 2007 8-cylinder Ford Explorer that would be rated at 20 before is now listed at 18 highway mpg.  It is not a huge difference, but 20 versus 18 will be enough to convince some people to consider other options.

    I think it’s a good deal, but I would like to add one thing.  They should include the old estimates right underneath the new ones with big bold print words that say, “Look, if you drive like a typical American, you will get this crappier mileage listed up here, but if you drive slightly more conservatively, you can get these numbers down here.”  Maybe some more drivers would cut back on their idiotic habits behind the wheel.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 4th, 2007 at 4:48 am and is filed under Cars, Gas Guzzlers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.