Gas Mileage is the fastest concern amongst car shoppers today when purchasing a vehicle. The fact is gas has gone up and it looks like it will stay that way. So, gas mileage is important. I wonder though, who comes up with these ratings on the vehicles and how?
I have been in the car business for many years and I have noticed that most consumers only look at the two numbers in bold on the EPA ratings. If you look closer you will find that there are numbers on the bottom of that BOLD number that tell you the fluctuation in gas mileage on those types of models. I only bring this up because recently on my move to Arizona, I loaded up my 2004 Kia Optima V6 and made the trek 2,000 miles across the country with my dog and a car full of "leftover stuff." Now you would think that with all the added weight and my 85 lb. Lab in the back seat that I would get less than the EPA ratings. On the contrary, I ended the trip with a MPG rating of 31!! The average when I purchased my car was 27. Granted I have had my Kia regularly serviced with Kia AutoSport's award winning service department, but the final number did surprise me.
The moral of this story is don't always trust that sticker on the windshield! Take the vehicle for a spin and always take in to consideration those little numbers on the bottom of the big bold number!
