What is Fuel Efficiency?

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How is EPA Gas Mileage Determined?

Are you trying to find out how EPA gas mileage is determined?

While the power, luxury, and speed of any new vehicle are very important in the car buying process, the car’s gas mileage is key for its lifetime. While the miles per gallon are provided by the EPA, there is a list of elements to figure out the gas mileage. Beginning with the weight of the car and how much power it has. Just because a car is heavy, the technology of the engine could lower the amount of fuel being used. EPA ratings usually are more efficient in smaller vehicles because of their aerodynamics and total weight. These smaller cars do not need as much gasoline to keep them running smoothly. Something else to consider is the maintenance of the car, truck, or SUV as well, doing things like making sure the tires have the optimal pressure to lessen any unnecessary workload. Overall, gas mileage is essential for any vehicle and it takes a lot of effort to create an efficient car.

Fuel Efficiency Explained

How far any vehicle could go with a tank of fuel is determined by the fuel economy it gets. ​The size of the car, drivetrain (AWD or RWD), and engine power all play an enormous role in determining the fuel economy for the vehicle. The stats like smaller vehicles with hybrid capabilities and a low vehicle weight that barely tips the scales. While the MPG can decrease during the life of the car, regular drives and scheduled maintenance are the simplest ways to keep your fuel economy high.

City vs Highway Economy

When examining miles per gallon, there are 2 numbers that wrap up the gas mileage of the car, the miles per gallon in the city and highway. Driving conditions in the real world are much different when compared to the environment in testing facilities and the results show it. Noting the 2 unique fuel economy ratings shows how driving habits can alter a vehicle’s miles per gallon. How you drive can affect the fuel economy, ​so measuring the two different ratings provides an accurate expectation for your vehicle’s fuel economy. Considering all the starting and stopping caused by city driving contrasted with the constant movement of highway driving, clearly, driving on the highway gets higher MPGs versus driving in the city.

How Do Drive Modes Affect Fuel Economy

These days many vehicles have selectable drive modes and cylinder deactivation to preserve fuel. A sporty driving mode will give drivers a performance-based drive while “Eco” (or Economy) mode prioritizes MPGs. Between cylinder deactivation and driving modes, new cars are more fuel-efficient than ever before.