Blog: Helpful Car Buying Tips: MPG

To put it plainly, this blog is not about trying to sell you a car or give you updates on all of the Acura Car Prices or Acura Specials, those can be found on the Lindsay Acura specials page www.lindsayacura.com/specials.htm . No this blog is about general car buying tips and information about cars in general. Lindsay Acura of Columbus, Ohio is committed to providing our clients with a positive experience that is fun, fact filled and affordable.

Here is a quick tip to help you understand the EPA's guide to Miles Per Gallon or MPG: When looking at a new car window sticker be sure to look at the small ranges below and then adjust accordingly depending upon how you drive. For example, a window sticker might read in big print 24 MPG, but you remember your buddy telling you he was getting closer to 30 MPG. Your buddy maybe exaggerating a bit but the EPA will range that big bold 24 MPG fuel rating in small print below from 22-27 MPG depending upon how you drive. So you may in fact be able to get 27 MPG when you were rating the car at 24 MPG.

Before you rush out and buy that wonderful economy car you have always dreamed about consider what you are giving up by driving an economy car. First of all, safety is not something you can put a price on and even though economy cars are fairly safe, I would much rather be in a larger vehicle if I was ever in an accident. Secondly, comfort...economy cars generally have cheaper seats, tend to have a bouncier ride, and very little room. Finally, do the math on how much you would actually save. For example if you are driving 12,000 miles per year and you can average 28 MPG in an economy car you will spend about $1700 in fuel. If you are driving in a larger more comfortable car that averages 20 MPG you will spend about $2400 in fuel. That equates to about $58 a month in excess fuel. Just weigh the math and figure out for yourself if the economy car is worth the savings for your lifestyle.

If you want some more tips on saving fuel visit: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/drive.shtml