On valid MPG comparisons, context is incredibly important
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On valid MPG comparisons, context is incredibly important
My 2.7 has gotten 27 MPG if driven at 50 MPH after warming up, it also gets 15 MPG on short commutes in the winter. If you ask me what my engine gets, which number should I report?
- Fuelly averages across engines are also perhaps moderately valid, but the use cases for different engines might be different and therefore skew the averages. I would imagine that people who buy bigger engines often tow more often, and its possible that the difference in MPG seen in fuelly is affected by this selection bias.
- I do also like the fastlane truck MPG loops, if they are done back to back on the same day. It would be a bit better if they controlled for weather and driver, but that may not be practical for their business model.
- I've kinda come around to the view that the EPA MPG test are one of the few valid tests for comparison between engines. There are so many other variables that are often uncontrolled. Of course, whether or not you obtain the EPA MPG will depend directly on how valid your driving habits are represented by the EPAs test.