OFFICIAL Fuel Mileage Discussion Thread

[alex2006sonata]

Originally Posted by jeffdaman

The EPA does not test the cars themselves. Yes I had a 2.4L in the Sonata. EPA requires the Highway estimate test to be ran up to 80mph. And I can't do 65 here or I will be run off the road. Even semi trucks do 70 on these highways. All the EPA said to Hyundai is that their mileage estimates were falsified; that's another word for lying! But I guess you think the EPA is lying about Hyundai lying.

Those of you claiming to be getting 40+ do you have the 1.8L. I'm led to believe there is a direct injected 2.0L out there as well.

I inferred your lying comment was in regards to the new ratings, which means that the EPA who audited them must be lying if they have agreed to the new ratings. As mentioned, all US engines have the 1.8L. To bring further color to your results, what speeds do you normally travel at on the highway? It sounds like it might be 75+? That is probably why you are seeing the results you are. Also, it's hard to compare your results to a co-workers results, unless you drive the exact same way, cruise at the same speeds, and at the same time of day. Plus its easy for someone to say they get 38 MPG, but do you know they are calculating by hand and by computer and keeping long term observations to know that the 38 MPG is accurate?

In any case, I am more curious to figure out why your mileage is so poor and it sounds like it might be due to the highway speeds. I took a trip to Atlanta (granted it was rather windy as this is when Sandy was plowing through the east coast) but I saw 32-33 MPG on that trip. I was cruising at 75+ for most of the trip and then hit some traffic as I approached Atlanta. I did reset the computer when leaving my house and was a little disappointed in the results. That being said, on my trips to Charlotte (where the speed limits are lower) I have seen as high as 40+ on my computer for the round-trip. And that includes some "city" driving in addition to highway. Basically if I want good fuel efficiency I keep it around 65. If I am in a rush or on a highway where keeping it at 65 isn't safe, then I know my fuel efficiency will suffer and I am perfectly OK with that.

[Winkle]

Originally Posted by alex2006sonata

In any case, I am more curious to figure out why your mileage is so poor and it sounds like it might be due to the highway speeds. I took a trip to Atlanta (granted it was rather windy as this is when Sandy was plowing through the east coast) but I saw 32-33 MPG on that trip. I was cruising at 75+ for most of the trip and then hit some traffic as I approached Atlanta. I did reset the computer when leaving my house and was a little disappointed in the results. That being said, on my trips to Charlotte (where the speed limits are lower) I have seen as high as 40+ on my computer for the round-trip. And that includes some "city" driving in addition to highway. Basically if I want good fuel efficiency I keep it around 65. If I am in a rush or on a highway where keeping it at 65 isn't safe, then I know my fuel efficiency will suffer and I am perfectly OK with that.

Just curious but all these mpg numbers are off your car's computer correct? Not actual calculations based on distance-traveled/fill up? Because the vehicle's computer is consistently generous on the fuel economy by 2 to 3mpg... so if you're seeing 32-33mpg then you're actually getting 29-30mpg.

[ajfinoak]

Originally Posted by Winkle

Just curious but all these mpg numbers are off your car's computer correct? Not actual calculations based on distance-traveled/fill up? Because the vehicle's computer is consistently generous on the fuel economy by 2 to 3mpg... so if you're seeing 32-33mpg then you're actually getting 29-30mpg.

I can't bring myself to calculate mpg by hand as it would be too depressing to find out my GT at 2-3 less that I am getting my mpg would be matching my 08 IS 250 with a
V6. I got the GT as a daily driver to save me $$ on gas based upon its 32 combined mpg (at the time) compared to the Lexus' 24- which is close to what the Lexus does get.
I recall you had cross-shopped the Mazda 3. One of the reasons I didn't get the Mazda as I didn't like the smiley face on the front- now I now why it is smiling.

[GMan4911]

Originally Posted by Winkle

Just curious but all these mpg numbers are off your car's computer correct? Not actual calculations based on distance-traveled/fill up? Because the vehicle's computer is consistently generous on the fuel economy by 2 to 3mpg... so if you're seeing 32-33mpg then you're actually getting 29-30mpg.

The odometer under-reports the miles so the MPG calculation is not off as much as you think.

Originally Posted by GMan4911

The odometer under-reports the miles so the MPG calculation is not off as much as you think.

The law will not allow false odometer readings. Just as you cannot roll the odometer back you cannot knowingly alter it's proper function. That goes for Hyundai too. If you put a tire on with the wrong circumference then it will have that affect but, as much as Hyundai is trying to cheat it's buyers rather than actually innovating, I seriously doubt they would try to slow the odometer.

And I can't help but notice your 48.1MPG is on a full tank which means your engine was already at optimal temp and all you had to do was slowly roll up to 50mph to get those numbers. Using the same method I can get a 99 Dodge Caravan report 50MPG.

TITLE 49 - TRANSPORTATION
SUBTITLE VI - MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS
PART C - INFORMATION, STANDARDS, AND REQUIREMENTS
CHAPTER 327 - ODOMETERS
Sec. 32703. Preventing tampering
A person may not -
(1) advertise for sale, sell, use, install, or have installed,
a device that makes an odometer of a motor vehicle register a
mileage different from the mileage the vehicle was driven, as
registered by the odometer within the designed tolerance of the
manufacturer of the odometer;

http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/49C327.txt

[FloridaGator]

KEY WORDS

Originally Posted by jeffdaman

as
registered by the odometer within the designed tolerance of the
manufacturer of the odometer

All such devices have a plus/minus (+/-) accuracy range and 2% - 5% would not be unrealistic because they are not considered scientific or precision instruments.

[someguy]

Does anybody know the actual odometer tolerance? I read its +/- 4% somewhere but I don't know for sure. Anyhow I bet the info is here if anybody cares http://www.sae.org/works/committeeHome.do?comtID=TEVODO

I can only guess that the odometers are on the low side as a result of the class actions last decade against Honda whose were on the high side. I personally wish people would quit obsessing over these trivial numbers. In the grand scheme of things its really not very important.

If mpg is the only important thing in a vehicle then I suggest a 99 Geo metro manual. My college girlfriend drove one and it got over 40 mpg.

Originally Posted by someguy

Does anybody know the actual odometer tolerance? I read its +/- 4% somewhere but I don't know for sure. Anyhow I bet the info is here if anybody cares SAE Standards Works

I can only guess that the odometers are on the low side as a result of the class actions last decade against Honda whose were on the high side. I personally wish people would quit obsessing over these trivial numbers. In the grand scheme of things its really not very important.

If mpg is the only important thing in a vehicle then I suggest a 99 Geo metro manual. My college girlfriend drove one and it got over 40 mpg.

The reason I am obsessing over these number is because when gas goes back to $4/gallon I will not have to ability to make my car payment. I needed the car to get at least 34mpg to break even on my budget; in 15,000 miles it has averaged 31.8mpg. I'm in a really lousy position because I had faith in Hyundai. My only hope now is to have a semi run this POS over! I purchased the car in May when there were very real threats of $6/gal. Now I have a $24,000 car note which amounts to $60/month more in payment. If the car had just saved me 6MPG (I drive 33,000miles/year) it would have made up the difference. If I could even just make Hyundai buy this POS back and be left with the $4000 extra that I had roll over from my last car I would be happy. As it stands they've really really screwed my life up. And what REALLY pisses me off is that they would insult me with a measly $55/15000miles for my "loss of 1MPG." It's a hard pill to swallow knowing that I may lose my home and ability to provide for my daughter over a lie that a billion dollar company shrugs off. If I seem bitter it's an understatement; because if I publicly posted what I'm really thinking it would get me into trouble.

[Em-squared]

Originally Posted by jeffdaman

The reason I am obsessing over these number is because when gas goes back to $4/gallon I will not have to ability to make my car payment. I needed the car to get at least 34mpg to break even on my budget; in 15,000 miles it has averaged 31.8mpg. I'm in a really lousy position because I had faith in Hyundai. My only hope now is to have a semi run this POS over! I purchased the car in May when there were very real threats of $6/gal. Now I have a $24,000 car note which amounts to $60/month more in payment. If the car had just saved me 6MPG (I drive 33,000miles/year) it would have made up the difference. If I could even just make Hyundai buy this POS back and be left with the $4000 extra that I had roll over from my last car I would be happy. As it stands they've really really screwed my life up. And what REALLY pisses me off is that they would insult me with a measly $55/15000miles for my "loss of 1MPG." It's a hard pill to swallow knowing that I may lose my home and ability to provide for my daughter over a lie that a billion dollar company shrugs off. If I seem bitter it's an understatement; because if I publicly posted what I'm really thinking it would get me into trouble.

I'm not trying to judge, because ever since I lost my previous job, I have been in a much more tight place financially. Even after losing my job, though, we switched my Elantra to the electric car, and I would say it's about a wash. Anyhow, though, it's bad when you're in such a tight place financially that you have that narrow of wiggle room.