Nicks Car Tips #7 - What about that EPA mileage?

I'm trying to think of the last time I came into the office and didn't have someone ask me about the EPA numbers on the sticker. "Will I really get the mileage the EPA says?" people ask, hopefully.

The short answer I usually give is that, what ever your current car's relationship to its EPA number, is likely to be what your relationship to the new car. If you're getting better than the EPA now, you'll likely get better. And if you're getting worse, then again, it will likely be the same.

So then the question becomes, "What do those EPA numbers really mean?" It was a great question, and I decided to dig into for you.There is a great website, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml, that shows exactly what the tests look like, how the testing is done, and much more.

The great thing about it is that all cars are tested the same way. And, even though it may not be anything like the way you drive your car, it's a good way to compare one car to another.

Will you get the EPA mileage? Perhaps, if you're getting it with your current car. Is the EPA mileage a good way to compare cars? Absolutely.

Best wishes for safe driving!

Nick