What is EPA MPG?

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How is EPA Fuel Mileage Calculated?

Are you looking for how EPA fuel mileage is calculated?

While the horsepower, luxury, and speed of a new vehicle are very important to nearly all prospective buyers, gas mileage is essential over its lifetime. While the miles per gallon are determined by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, there is a list of factors to determine the gas mileage and they vary. Starting with the weight of the car and how much horsepower it has. Just because the vehicle is heavy, the tech of the engine could still lower how much gasoline is being used. Fuel economy ratings are usually higher in smaller vehicles because of their weight in total and aerodynamics. In most cases, these smaller cars do not take as much gas to keep them running smoothly. Another consideration is vehicle maintenance, making sure the tires have the correct pressure. All in all, gas mileage is essential for all cars and it takes a lot of effort to build an efficient car, truck, or SUV.

Fuel Mileage Explained

The distance any vehicle can travel on a full tank of fuel is figured out by the mile per gallon it gets. ​Vehicle size, drivetrain (4WD or 2WD), and engine power all play an enormous role in calculating the fuel economy for a vehicle. The statistics favor small sedans with hybrid capabilities and a vehicle weight that is light enough that barely tip the scales. While fuel mileage can decrease during the lifespan of the car, frequent drives and updated maintenance are the best ways to keep your MPGs high.

MPG in Highway vs City

Looking at miles per gallon, there are 2 different results that wrap up the gas mileage of your vehicle, the MPGs in the highway and city. Driving conditions in the real world are very different compared to the testing conditions and the overall numbers show it. Measuring the two separate fuel economy ratings displays how driving habits can change a vehicle’s miles per gallon. Your driving habits can affect your gas mileage, ​so providing both gas mileage ratings provides an accurate expectation for your vehicle’s fuel economy. With all the starting and stopping of city driving contrasted with the constant speed of driving on the highway, it’s clear that highway driving should get higher MPGs vs. driving in the city.

Fuel Mileage & Driving Modes

Nowadays many cars have cylinder deactivation and selectable drive modes to preserve fuel. A performance driving mode will prioritize a performance-based drive while “Eco” mode prioritizes MPGs. Between driving modes and cylinder deactivation, new cars offer better MPGs than ever before.