What new cars are getting the best MPG ratings? Well, incredibly the numbers are over 20 mpg better with 2017 hybrids over 2016 hybrids. Still no 2 door commuters with great gas mileage

in the 2016 cars
Prius, Accord Hybrid, Malibu Hybrid all get 50 freeway
Mitsubishi Mirage, and VW Jetta both get 48 freeway
Fiesta 43 freeway
Civic and Chevy Volt both get 42 freeway
Honda Fit and Scion iA 41 freeway
Mazda 6 gets 40 freeway
http://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-guides/features/10-best-40-mpg-cars-for-2016-130642/

in the 2017
Malibu 48 (124 HP)
Accord Hybrid 49 (has 100 hp more than the several others)
Prius 3 59 (120 Hp)
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 59 (104 Hp)
Toyota Mirai 67 (151 Hp)
Honda Clarity Hybrid 66 (174 Hp)
https://www.kbb.com/most-fuel-efficient-cars/sedan/2017/10/

also in 2017
Lexus CT 47
For C Mac 38
Toyota Camry hybrid 43
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 46
Ford Fusion Hybrid 41
http://www.consumerreports.org/fuel-economy-efficiency/the-most-fuel-efficient-cars-best-mpg/

Kia Niro Hybrid 50

the Shell Eco Marathon proved that ridiculously high mpg numbers can be attained

1950 Opel 376 mpg and it was done in 1973, with a 23 year old car. The mileage competition was over a 10 mile course with a minimum speed of 10 mph average enforced. This Opel is now in Seattle Washington

In 1939, a group of Shell scientists based in a research laboratory in Wood River, Illinois, USA, had a friendly bet to see who could drive their own car furthest on one gallon of fuel. The winner managed a distance of 21.12 km/L (59.7 mpg‑imp; 49.7 mpg‑US). A repeat of the challenge yielded dramatically improved results over the years:

149.95 MPG with a 1947 Studebaker in 1949
244.35 MPG with a 1959 Fiat 600 in 1968
376.59 MPG with a 1959 Opel in 1973.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Eco-marathon

1924 Chevy 168.47 MPG, this is now in the Wood River Museum in Roxana Illinois where they used to have the Shell garage that had the contest

244 MPG Fiat 600

The 1968 Shell Mileage Marathon Fiat achieved a new fuel mileage record of 244mpg. It was then stored and later moved in the 1980's  to Talladega Raceway park where it was found in 2005, weathered and deteriorated

http://carzhunt.blogspot.com/2015/01/so-we-cant-get-high-mpghuh-part-1.html
http://www.shell.com/energy-and-innovation/shell-ecomarathon.html
http://www.59fiattestcar.com/

how bad was the gas reformulations due to EPA restrictions, on mpg? Gerald kept track, it was startlingly bad

He bought a 1987 Ford Escort new, and it got 37 mpg
then a couple years went buy and the EPA regulations caused a reformulation,  and his mpg was 24
Then a year after that, a 2nd reformulated fuel was put out, and then he only was getting 19 mpg

Gerald Foye
AAA Westways magazine, letters to the editor, Jan Feb 2012 issue

reasons the Monroney Sticker estimated mpg numbers are off

The EPA doesn’t require distinct certifications of every vehicle variant.

So a model variant such as the Camaro SS, with its numerically higher gearing and sticky tires, flies under the radar and wears the same window sticker as its more common — and surely more efficient — linemates.

The driver in the car can get as much as 5% better numbers by softly and slowly accelerating though the test procedure, the smoother the driving, the better the MPG readings.

David Friedman, senior engineer and deputy director of vehicles program for the Union of Concerned Scientists suggests getting the accurate info from the cars data collection computer, across the country, and posting that real world data on the Monroney, and ditch the fuel economy tests completely.

But, Honda’s Bienenfeld, pointed out that such data might disadvantage automakers (like Honda) that sell lots of cars to younger, more aggressive drivers.

http://www.automobilemag.com/news/fuel-economy-numbers-gone-wild/

some good news for the new year, higher speed limits on a couple freeways

At the end of 2014 the state of Utah increased the interstate stretch from Leeds to Provo to 80 MPH—250 miles of blissful blitzing. Idaho and Wyoming have raised speeds on some interstates to 80 MPH as well. And Montana is eyeing Texas’s 85 MPH speed limit as their top speed for all interstates within their state.

As cars become better handling, nimble, quieter, and comfortable at higher speeds, drivers are consciously or subconsciously increasing their speeds. According to the LA Times, many states are not increasing their speed limits to encourage faster driving, but are changing to reflect speeds drivers are already driving.

Since 2008 Utah highway officials state highway crashes have dropped annually, and on top of that more drivers are complying with posted speed limits than before the increases.

Found on  http://www.hotrod.com/news/higher-interstate-speeds-are-safer/

Southeast of Austin Texas a toll road went with an 85 mph limit, and cut the commute in 1/2 from San Antonio to Austin.

But why 85? Why only this road? If the limits on the other highways and freeways are set due to safety, as we've been lied to for ages, or oil and gas consumption, than why can this piece of road get an 85? Because there are no logical reasons for speed limits under 100. When the 55mph, or 65mph limit was set, cars were far more primitive than todays run of the mill 5 year old car. No airbags, no modern suspension, crush zones, etc. So safer cars are far more advanced, and the speed limits never changed.

Cars get twice the gas mileage on average, as they did in the 70's... and the hybrids just blow the grade curve all to hell. So gas mileage has wiped out that excuse.

It's all about the money of course.

"critics point out the Transportation Department had a financial incentive to set the speed higher. As part of its contract with SH130 Concession Co., the company funding the new toll road, the state would receive $67 million for setting the speed limit at 80 mph and $100 million if the speed was 85 mph."  http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/10/24/fastest-road-in-america-opens-to-motorists-in-texas/

Venezuela will be hiking the price from a nickel a gallon, to increase govt income and improve the country infrastructure

It costs less for a tank of gas than a cup of coffee from Starbucks, to fill a 20 gallon tank. Think about that.

So it makes no sense for people to ever get vehicles with better gas mileage. I actually chose a 38 mpg Hyundai because of the 3.60 a gallon gas here in San Diego.

Would anyone ever get rid of a '75 Ford or Chevy that gets 8mpg when gas is a nickle a gallon? Nope.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/26/venezuela-losing-cheap-gas/

quick, if you're interested in how far off car computers are about the mpg indications, check the newest Car and Driver magazine for this informative article

editorial in this months Automobile Magazine about the window sticker, the EPA requirements, and the estimated MPG figures

real, accurate MPG numbers for my 2012 Veloster.. from me. Kia and Hyundai have been found guilty of false advertising on their numbers, but not by much

I just went round trip from San Diego to Las Vegas

I got 37 mpg at 80 miles per hour going to Las Vegas,

 and on the way back, stopped at Victorville to gas up (3.85 a gallon an exit south of the Palmdale exit which was 4.25 a gallon) and

got 39 mpg at 80 on the trip from Victorville to San Diego

The Hyundai and Kia ESTIMATES were found to be over the reality by the EPA, who seems to not actually test cars before putting their stamp on the window sticker of a new car... huh. How about that, a lazy US Government agency taking a companies word for it when reporting information. Astonishing, and I am very sarcastic.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/02/hyundai-kia-admit-exaggerated-mileage-claims-will-compensate-o/

How does your speed affect your MPG? Quick easy test described here

Find a flat straight long stretch of highway, because you don't want any deviation in your cars speed.

Drive in one direction at 55 mph, then return to your start location by the other side of the highway at 65

repeat at 75 going and 85 coming back (as long as you are aware that both of these are going to attract a speeding ticket that is ridiculously expensive) if that is the normal traffic speed there (like it is here in San Diego to Los Angeles and to Las Vegas)

While doing this, wait until you get to the speed, then turn on cruise control, and zero the MPG counter

Write down what the result is after 5 or 10 miles, and after doing this at each speed you are likely to be driving at for long periods of time, you;ll know whether or not you can save a time or money by driving faster or slower based on the difference in MPG

For example, if driving at 55 gets you 35 mpg, and driving at 65 gets you 35 mpg.. you might as well drive faster and save time.

If driving at 70 or 75 gets you 38 mpg and driving at 65 gets you 40 mpg... you might consider that the difference of how much you'll pay in gas at 75 isn't very much more than you'll pay at 65, and for hundreds of miles, you'll cut an hour or two off your trip. It's going to take some math to figure out specifics... but I figure this is a good way to see what is best for your time is money, but gas is expensive long trip drives.

Fuel consumption with no equal

The above dump truck is using 3 liters of fuel a minute, and in one trip from the bottom to the top of this open pit mine, which is 10 kilometers, it burns as much fuel in that one trip as a normal passenger car uses in a year

found on Tamerlane's Thoughts http://karakullake.blogspot.com/

Fuel mileage comparison by Top Gear

The Toyota Prius gets 17.2
the M3 BMW gets 19.4

When tested at the Prius top speed around a race track, and the BMW following at the top speed the Prius could do around the racetrack.
No joke, Top Gear, Season 11 episode 1, 8 minutes into the episode.

At racing speed around a track, worst to best mileage of supercars as determined when they ran out of the one gallon of gas they were given.

Ferrari 599: 1.7 miles per gallon
Aston Martin: 2nd to run out of gas
McLaren: 3 rd to run out of gas
Lambo Murcialrgo: 4.1 mpg
Audi A8: 5 miles per gallon

Pickuptrucks.com top 10 list of "better than average gas mileage" classic trucks

Number 10: the 1928-31 Model A... 17-21 mpg
Number 9: 1937-47 Austin Bantam 35 to 50 mpg
Number 8: 1940-62 Crosley 41 mpg
Number 7: 1950 Austin A40 28 to 35 mpg
Number 6: 1954 -56 Powell Sport 28 mpg
Number 5: 1961 Volkswagen Pickup 20-25 mpg
Number 4: 1960-1966 Ford Ranchero 24-30 mpg with the smallest engine
Number 3: 1960 Crofton Bug (A Crosley at heart) 44-50 mpg https://www.makesthatdidntmakeit.com/crofton
Number 2: 1964-1966 Chevrolet El Camino 14-20 mpg with the smallest engine
Number 1: 1961-1971 International Harvester Scout Pickup 25-28 mpg with the smallest engine

http://www.pickuptrucks.com/html/stories/history/pumppassing/page1.html