You Can Beat EPA's Gas Mileage Estimate!

By Bo Salisbury
National Transportation Research Center
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The odds are you can get better fuel economy than your car's EPA rating. More than 75% of the 25,000 drivers who have chosen to share their fuel economy experience via the Department of Energy's Your MPG feature on www.fueleconomy.gov are beating the EPA estimate. And early returns for the 2009 vehicles are even higher, with 82% of the drivers participating in Your MPG beating the EPA number.

Admittedly, drivers who take the time to track their car's fuel economy and enter their estimate in Your MPG might be more tuned to maximizing their gas mileage than others. But you can join them in trying to beat the EPA numbers by driving more efficiently and keeping your car in shape. You can find the tips you need at Fuel Economy Guide.

Driving more efficiently includes:

*	Driving less aggressively. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid
acceleration and braking) can lower your gas mileage by 33% at highway
speeds and by 5% around town.
*	Driving the speed limit. While each vehicle reaches its optimal
fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage
usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. With gas prices around
$3.50 per gallon, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an
additional $0.25 per gallon for gas.
*	Removing excess weight from your vehicle's trunk. An extra 100
pounds could reduce your MPG by up to 2%.
*	Avoiding excessive idling. An idling car gets 0 MPG.
*	Using cruise control on the highway. This helps you maintain a
constant speed and, in most cases, save gas.

Keeping your car in shape includes:

*        Keeping your engine properly tuned. Fixing a car that is
noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its
gas mileage by an average of 4%, though results vary based on the kind
of repair and how well it is done.

*        Keeping your tires properly inflated. Proper tire inflation can
improve gas mileage by around 3%.

*        Using the recommended grade of motor oil for your vehicle. This
can improve gas mileage by 1-2%.

By following some or all of these tips, the chances are you can beat EPA's gas mileage rating for your car. Best of all, by trying to beat the EPA numbers you'll save money on gas.