2008 EPA MPG Stickers

[Q45tech]

"Next year's list will likely show a decline in gas-mileage numbers. The EPA is revising the way it estimates how far a vehicle will travel on a gallon of gas to take into account high-speed driving, use of air conditioning and rapid acceleration.

Under the proposed testing changes, fuel economy stickers would show most 2008 models getting 10 percent to 20 percent less gas mileage in city driving and 5 percent to 15 percent less in highway use.

Hybrid buyers will find a greater sticker shock. Hybrid ratings for city driving are expected to drop an average of 20 percent to 30 percent. "

My guess on an older Q would be 14.5-15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway, as the lower the mpg the lower the correction factor.....depending on rounding [old epa was 16/22]

Correcting the new M45 17/23 would bring it 15 mpg city and 20-21 mpg highway...............new gearing increases M45 rpm in 5th gear above Q in 4th.

Displacement and weight being the same yield the same mpg.

Not sure if the EPA has considered the detrimental effect of ethanol in MPG for their new numbers as currently less than 3% of gasoline sold in US has etnahol.........scheduled to double by 2010.

[FarFetched]

Working in a fleet helps to see real life MPG. As far as Hybrids go, we have 14 of older and newer Priuses!Real mpg averages 35-38 MPG based on 50/50 city/hwy.Above vehicles are used to transport medical samples etc. I feel sorry for those poor people who fall for "hwy rated" sale tricks!The truth will come out soon! Cheers!

[Q45tech]

"Auto makers will continue to be responsible for performing the fuel economy testing and calculating the label MPG estimates. EPA will continue to confirm the manufacturers' test results by performing audit testing at its National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Since everyone drives differently and under varied conditions, there is no test that could perfectly predict the fuel economy that every driver will get. With any estimate, there will always be times when a driver’s actual fuel economy will be higher or lower. However, EPA’s proposal will do a better job of bringing the estimates on the window sticker closer to people’s real-world fuel economy experience."

The problem is the EPA test will not exceed 65-70 mph [legal speed limit]

As you see from graph cars have not significantly improved since 1990, all smoke and mirrors in figuring how to manipulate the Federal test proceedures.

[Q45tech]

What has been accomplished is a heavier faster accelerating car which get the same MPG as a lighter slower car.

[MattB]

My I30 is rated at 19/26 IIRC...cruising at 80 on the highway with the AC on I see between 26-28mpg. All city mpg is approximately 20 or so.