Energy Use in America and The World - Today and into The Future
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Everybody wants great gas mileage in their auto. Many think that big oil, government If GM or Ford could add some low cost device to their product
Lets look at what really makes up auto mileage.
or the auto companies are withholding some magic device which would give us all a huge increase in gas mileage just so they can continue to reap in $$$$.
line and get a mileage jump on the other auto makers of course they would do it?
So - When you see an ad for a 100 mpg device for your car for $59.95 or how to burn water to get better gas mileage - BE CAUTIOUS!!
Yes - Auto mileage is directly tied to gross weight. Gas mileage of todays automobiles is a combination of engine efficiency, aerodynamic drag, road friction and weight.
The internal Combustion Engine (ICE) has been in the 30% efficient range for many years. Today 90 plus percent of the cars on the road operate in the efficiency range of 23 - 33%. Despite what all the ads in the backs of magazines and on late night TV say, there are no magic devices that substansally increase those numbers.
Aerodynamics - Of course there is a difference between a low riding, sleek sports car and a large box like van but the differences in aerodynamic drag between models of your typical family auto are minimal.
Road Friction - Same as Aerodynamics - most of todays autos are about equal here. Of course there is a difference between wide low pressure tires and a narrow tire pumped up to very high pressure but for the average driver rolling friction remains about the same and is largely tied to weight and tire style/pressure.
OK - WEIGHT - this is where it is at! Want to get a good idea of the gas mileage of any particular auto without relying on some EPA estimates? Just take a look at the gross weight of the vehicle. Weight is by far the biggest factor in vehicle mileage.
Take a look at the chart below to compare some weight vs. mileage figures.
| Auto Name | MPG | Weight |
| Smart For2 | 33 / 40 | 1808 lbs |
| Toyota Yaris | 29 / 35 | 2340 lbs |
| Honda Civic | 25 / 36 | 2650 lbs |
| Chevy Impala | 18 / 29 | 3555 lbs |
| Ford Tarus | 18 / 28 | 3643 lbs |
| Cadillac DTS | 15 / 23 | 4009 lbs |
| Lincoln Navigator | 12 / 18 | 5777 lbs |
| Hummer H2 | <10 | 6614 lbs |
Note: Except for the Hummer all are 2 wheel drive cars and all data came from company specifications. The Hummer is 4 wheel drive and tech specs did not list MPG. Hummer mileage estimate was taken from a Hummer users website.
Since mileage figures are subject to suspicion remember I was just showing the MPG to Weight link. As always for any of these cars your actual mileage may vary.
I did not include hybrids in this discussion as they are discussed elsewhere within this website. I will add that that hybrids do have the advantage of regenerative braking which will recover some wasted energy. I do have suspicions that the extra weight required for the hybrid may offset any advantages.
I would like to challenge any hybrid manufacturer to a MPG test under real world conditions.
OK lets look at what hurts gas mileage
1. Your heavy foot! That gas pedal is a pump that almost directly shoots gas into your engine. Quick acceleration is fun but it quickly eats up fuel.
2. Heat - About $2.80 of each $4.00 per gallon of gas goes up in smoke (I mean Heat). All the heat from your engine (radiator and exhaust) comes from the burning of your precious fuel. Show me a car without a radiator and I will pay some serious attention as to the fuel efficiency of that vehicle.
Select two cars from a manufracturer which are as equal as possible with one being a hybrid. Drive them together as any energy hungry American would do on a hot summer day. Lights on, AC on, Radio blasting, heavy foot anywhere possible and lets see what MPG advantages the Hybrid has!
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