Interesting Gas Statistics on your car

[CRFSaver]

Department of Energy has an interesting site that you can look at what type of mileage your car is supposed to get and what your annual fuel costs would be, etc.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

Havent tested for accuracy.

[cercis]

My car doesn't get the city mileage they say it should. They list 24 and it gets 20. I guess it's time for another tune-up. I took it in and they replaced the spark plugs and said that there *might* be another issue, but they weren't sure. That I should drive it around and see if I thought it was performing okay.

[cicy33]

Said mine was between 18 and 23 and I get more like 30 to 35. I think that it all depends on how much air is used and stuff like that. I drive a small bmw.

[cercis]

Cicy - I think if I were doing more highway driving it would be closer to the "right" figure.

This city driving is for the birds. 20mph, lots of stop signs, traffic lights, etc. Several starts and stops for dropping off the kids (because we have to park and walk into the school). Eek!

[BAGAGT1]

Your style of driving greatly affects the gas mileage. Generally most people don't get the gas mileage that is listed. Several years ago I saw a report on some news show, that showed how the EPA tests a cars mileage. In my opinion the tests don't really simulate real world conditions. My car is rated at 20 mpg city, and my half city/ half highway driving nets me 23 mpg.

[cercis]

This is true Bagagt1. "Rabbit starts" "lane hopping" etc can all contribute to decreased mileage. Racing the engine then slamming on the brakes (as too many people do in traffic situations) will be hard on your mileage.

My car went over 90k miles before I replaced the brakes. My mechanic asked me how I did it because they were just to the point of needing to be replaced. I told him I rarely use my brakes. I watch the road and take my foot off the gas to coast to stops whenever possible. No sudden stops.

I'll admit, I make way too many sudden starts - which I know is bad for gas mileage and I've been working on that. For my part, my poor mileage is a reflection of the roads I drive on and the stops I have to make. Turning off the car every 2.5 miles doesn't help at all, but that's what I have to do (there's no monitor at the gate to pull up and drop the kids off until 5 minutes after I have to have left the school to get to my job, so I am required to walk my kids to their classroom door).

I should also go ahead and get it serviced. It's nowhere near the 3k mile mark, but it has been about 6 months (actually more).