Fuel System - Fuel Economy Documentation/Estimation
Model: Passenger Cars (PA)Group: General Information(10)
Number: KT2006060201
Date: Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Area: N. America
Subject
Fuel Mileage Information And Economy (General
Information - 012)
- Description
This service bulletin provides information related to fuel mileage documentation to assist in determining the actual fuel mileage obtained under normal driving conditions.
How Fuel Economy Estimates Are Determined:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acknowledges that their fuel economy estimates will vary from actual fuel mileage results in "Real World" driving conditions. Fuel Economy is not a fixed number, it differs significantly based on several variables that can affect mileage estimates.
All new vehicles are tested by the manufacturer according to guidelines outlined by the EPA, who in turn review and confirm some of the manufactures results with their own additional testing at the National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The vehicle tests are conducted according to two different schedules to produce City and Highway fuel economy ratings.
City - Represents urban driving. The test starts with the vehicle's engine cold. The car is operated to represent 11 miles of stop and go traffic. The average speed is 20 mph and the top speed is 56 mph. Periods of idling are also included. The test is completed after 11 miles of simulated driving on a dynamometer.
Highway - Represents a mixture of rural and interstate highway driving. The vehicle's engine is warmed up before the test begins, an average speed of approximately 48 mph is maintained. The top speed is 60 mph, and no intermediate stops or idling is included in the test. The test is completed after 10 miles of simulated driving on a dynamometer.
From these tests, the EPA develops the fuel economy ratings. However, it is impossible for one set of estimates to predict fuel economy precisely for all drivers in all environments and driving conditions. Actual results will depend on a variety of conditions, including where you drive, how you drive and how you maintain your vehicle.
- Effective Vehicle Information
All Kia vehicles.
- Service Procedure
SPEED VERSUS FUEL ECONOMY
1. FUEL ECONOMY IS BASED ON MANY CONDITIONS WHICH INCLUDE:
^ Engine break-in (3,000~5,000 miles) and initial setting of adaptives in the vehicles computer system.
^ Excessive idling in freeway traffic congestion Stop and go driving in traffic congestion
^ Quick acceleration and panic stops
^ Driving at speeds in excess of posted limits
^ Cold weather (engines do not reach maximum fuel efficiency until the engine is warm)
^ Towing or excessive loading of vehicle
^ Electrical accessories
^ Hilly or mountainous terrain
^ Fuel types and fuel quality
^ Using 4-wheel drive system
2. WHAT THE CUSTOMER CAN DO TO IMPROVE FUEL MILEAGE:
^ Keep the vehicle properly tuned
^ Check and replace air filters as required
^ keep the tires inflated to the proper pressure and rotate as necessary
^ Use the recommended octane of fuel per manufacturers recommendation
^ Remove excessive weight from trunk and cargo areas
^ Using cruise control on the highways helps you maintain a constant speed
3. CALCULATING ACTUAL MPG:
Below are a few simple steps on how to calculate fuel mileage.
A. Fill the vehicle fuel tank completely do not top off or allow gasoline to spill out 1) Record the odometer reading from the instrument cluster panel.
2) Record the pump number and service station where fuel was purchased.
B. Drive the vehicle a minimum of 50 miles.
1) Fill the gas tank completely but, do not top-off Use the same service station and gas pump number as in Step A.
2) Record the number of gallons used to refuel the fuel tank.
3) Record the odometer reading from the instrument cluster panel. Once there are two mileages and amount of gallons recorded, fuel mileage can be calculated.
C. Subtract the lower odometer reading (miles) from the higher odometer reading.
D. Divide the amount of miles driven by the amount of fuel it took to refill the fuel tank.
Example:
5,075 (Miles in Step B) minus 5,000 (Miles in Step A) equals 75 miles
75 miles divided by 4 gallons (amount to refill fuel tank) equals 18.75 Total miles per gallon averaged
Example:
5,075 (Miles in Step 2)
-5,000 (Miles in Step 1)
divided by 75 (Miles Driven)
4 (Gallons)
18.75 Total Miles per gallon averaged.
Additional information can be found online at: http://www.fueleconomy.gov.