ABSTRACT

This chapter has three major sections. The rst section covers how Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts mileage tests. The earlier (2007 and prior years) shortfall between EPA mpg and real-world driving mpg is addressed. The second section discusses Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE). The third section presents various suggestions and tips for improving fuel economy. Tips to achieve better mpg lurk everywhere; however, some of the information is folklore or old wives-tales. One article indicates a 100 lb load in the trunk of the car will decrease fuel economy by 2%. Another article provides a 4% reduction. Each article makes the statement without any basis for the number quoted. Information is provided here to justify and substantiate the numbers. Although this chapter focuses on mpg, emission measurements are an equally important task of EPA.