Fusion may have over stated fuel economy.

[yzrider58]

I guess a lot of us are jealous of the Ford Fusion design and mpg ratings. However, it's been reported that the cars haven't been getting the mileage claimed by Ford. I haven't achieved over 28mpg hwy (32 claimed by GM) out of my Terrain either. Hopefully these over statements don't become a trend.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/...est=latestnews

[Jessika]

I believe MPG ratings are done on dynos at set MPH. This testing is controlled by the epa. IMO, it is unlikely to see those actual MPGs in the real world. That being said, my new flex is getting 18.7mpg and only has 1200 miles on it. It is rated for average 20MPG.

[GretchenGotGrowl]

I'm getting better than the values on the sticker for my F-150, but it took about 5K miles before it did. I think a lot of people assume they will get the HWY numbers no matter how fast they drive. I believe the EPA estimates the numbers at 65 mph, so going 75 mph will obviously not live up to their estimates.

[POWERFREAK]

This is nothing new, most cars dont live up to the #'s. They are just estimates...way too many variables effect mpg to be able to know exactly what mpg you will get.

[DaBears]

Your Terrain should be fine up to 63 mph. Beyond that it drops to 29 mpg.

[MMC]

When they run the tests they run the vehicles on 100% gasoline so as soon as you put in 10% alcohol the mileage drops 2-3%.

[SS 376]

Originally Posted by Jessika@SCC

I believe MPG ratings are done on dynos at set MPH. This testing is controlled by the epa. IMO, it is unlikely to see those actual MPGs in the real world. That being said, my new flex is getting 18.7mpg and only has 1200 miles on it. It is rated for average 20MPG.

I think they're done on a road course, actually but there is a very specific route, length, and speed for the EPA test. That's how Chevy is sort of able to cheat the system with skip-shift. But unless you're duplicating the EPA test exactly, it doesn't make any sense to pitch a fit about the actual MPG figures not matching up. I don't know that I've ever owned a car, foreign or domestic, that consistently beat whatever the sticker MPG figure was.

This is just an example of CR trying to make itself more important than it actually is. Supposedly unbiased but singling out a single manufacturer?

[Stew]

I think we will see alot of this come along. IMHO, the ratings are basically perfect conditions. THat said the highway rating per the 08 Scale on my Patriot is 27 highway, but I can quite easily get over 30 MPG and average roughly 26 mpg. Then again, it is a manual and it seems to make exceeding MPG claims much easier

[mr_honez]

Wifey's Equinox is rated for 32mpg and gets around 27-28 on it's best day. Our V6 Camaro's are supposed to get 29hwy but that aint happening either. I don't believe any of them, when I see the MPG sticker I take at least 15% off that to get real world mileage. Unfortunately my car gets even less than that, more like 30% less.. Eeek.

Still love her though.

[DaBears]

That's why you research real world reviews before buying. I'm sure the Altima won't get 38 mpg either.

[camaro-dreamer]

Originally Posted by DaBears

That's why you research real world reviews before buying. I'm sure the Altima won't get 38 mpg either.

I cannot speak for the new Altima, but I know that my Maxima's real world fuel economy, about 80% highway, is 26.7 mpg. The rating for my car car is 19/25. This is as calculated through dozens of tanks both from the trip computer and by hand. Interestingly enough, the two only differ by a few tenths of an mpg.

[Jessika]

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml

[rayhawk]

Originally Posted by MMC

When they run the tests they run the vehicles on 100% gasoline so as soon as you put in 10% alcohol the mileage drops 2-3%.

Very good point, this is always overlooked and downplayed as much as possible, but has a pretty noticeable effect on mileage. Unfortunately, this is only going to get worse going forward as they continue to force ethanol use on us. I'm not sure how widespread it is, but I haven't seen ethanol free gas outside of a marina in probably 5 years down here.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by Jessika@SCC

I believe MPG ratings are done on dynos at set MPH. This testing is controlled by the epa. IMO, it is unlikely to see those actual MPGs in the real world. That being said, my new flex is getting 18.7mpg and only has 1200 miles on it. It is rated for average 20MPG.

Done on a Dyno, but with road loads provided by the manufacturer. So if done on a Dyno, which many are, you can "game" the system. Hello.......Hyundai? Anyone home?

Originally Posted by POWERFREAK

This is nothing new, most cars dont live up to the #'s. They are just estimates...way too many variables effect mpg to be able to know exactly what mpg you will get.

Some do. On the highway at 70 (ish or so) our Cruze won't come close to the EPA sticker. But our Audi Q5 easily met or surpassed at the same speeds.

Originally Posted by DaBears

Your Terrain should be fine up to 63 mph. Beyond that it drops to 29 mpg.

My experience as well. For most GM cars 70 and up costs you 2 to 4 mpg off the EPA rating.

Originally Posted by SS 376

I think they're done on a road course, actually but there is a very specific route, length, and speed for the EPA test. That's how Chevy is sort of able to cheat the system with skip-shift. But unless you're duplicating the EPA test exactly, it doesn't make any sense to pitch a fit about the actual MPG figures not matching up. I don't know that I've ever owned a car, foreign or domestic, that consistently beat whatever the sticker MPG figure was.

This is just an example of CR trying to make itself more important than it actually is. Supposedly unbiased but singling out a single manufacturer?

EPA uses the road for some but dyno for others. But not sure what determines which one is used.

Also CR is that way. Trying to be more relevant than they probably should be.