The Government has taken steps to improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles sold in America by establishing some of the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history. These standards are expected to save consumers $1.7 trillion at the pump and reduce carbon pollution by six billion metric tons. As part of the program, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) developed a window sticker for new vehicles which allows consumers to compare conventional cars, hybrids and all electric vehicles by giving information on greenhouse gas ratings, emissions, smog ratings, and fuel costs. The new label came into effect for all 2013 model vehicles. Continue reading

Criticisms against the reported fuel economy on Fords C-Max hybrid vehicles has led the automobile manufacturer to restate the cars mileage ratings and issue special payments to people who bought the vehicle. Earlier this year, controversy over inaccurate fuel economy ratings led some manufacturers to suggest the problem is in how the government ratings are calculated. They say the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) labels do not require separate fuel rating tests for vehicles that share the same engine, transmission and weight class, but because of things like aerodynamic design, the fuel economy is not always identical. The mileage can also be affected by driving habits and weather conditions. Continue reading

The job of an oxygen sensor in a vehicle is to compare the oxygen content coming out of the exhaust to the oxygen content in the exhaust stream. This helps the vehicle computer determine whether to enrich or lean the fuel mixture, allowing the catalytic converter to operate more efficiently and reduce emissions into the environment. Exhaust byproducts can often block the sensor’s element over time causing poor fuel economy and increased emissions. Continue reading

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) main function is to prevent injuries, deaths, and reduce expensive costs due to traffic accidents. Their mission also includes issuing Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards to contribute to energy security and address climate change. Continue reading