{"id":17836,"date":"2021-08-01T18:00:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-01T23:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/?p=17836"},"modified":"2021-08-01T15:23:59","modified_gmt":"2021-08-01T20:23:59","slug":"aaa-says-miles-to-empty-warning-fuels-when-drivers-decide-to-fill-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.paristn.net\/articles\/2021\/08\/01\/aaa-says-miles-to-empty-warning-fuels-when-drivers-decide-to-fill-up\/","title":{"rendered":"AAA says \u201cMiles-to-Empty\u201d Warning Fuels When Drivers Decide to Fill Up"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AAA\"Washington, D.C.<\/strong> – In-dash fuel economy displays estimate the number of miles a vehicle gets per gallon, including how many \u201cmiles to empty.\u201d<\/p>\n

AAA tested the accuracy of these systems and found their estimates vary significantly over shorter trips or are dependent on the consistency of things that affect gas mileage like speed and acceleration.<\/p>\n

\"New<\/a>

New research finds drivers should not rely too heavily on in-dash fuel economy displays. (AAA)<\/p><\/div>\n

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This means drivers could be taking an unnecessary risk if they over-rely on these displays.<\/p>\n

This is especially true for the 74% of drivers who use their \u201cmiles-to-empty\u201d display when they are low on gas to decide when to fill up (according to a AAA consumer survey). To avoid running out of gas, AAA recommends drivers watch their gas gauge and fill up when it reaches a quarter of a tank.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople want to get the most out of a tank of gas, especially when prices are higher,\u201d said Megan McKernan, manager of the Automotive Research Center. \u201cCollectively, the systems we tested were relatively accurate, but a closer examination of different driving scenarios revealed significant variability based on changes in speed, acceleration and distance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Testing Shows Driving Habits Directly Impact Fuel Economy<\/h3>\n

AAA in collaboration with the Automotive Research Center (ARC) of the Automobile Club of Southern California, used a dynamometer, essentially a treadmill for vehicle testing, to run selected vehicles through a series of simulated driving scenarios to determine the accuracy of the fuel economy estimation and range value (aka \u201cmiles-to-empty\u201d) systems.<\/p>\n

On average, the fuel economy display of the vehicles tested showed a relatively low error of 2.3% as compared to the fuel economy measured by the dynamometer. However, individual vehicle error varied greatly, ranging from ?6.4% to 2.8%. The negative number indicates that one test vehicle overestimated fuel economy by 6.4% or 2.2 mpg, while another underestimated it by 2.8% or 0.9 mpg. These specific results suggest that each vehicle reacted to changes in driving differently, and that the accuracy can be impacted by driving style and conditions.<\/p>\n

Testing of the \u201cmiles-to-empty\u201d display found similar results with accuracy fluctuating across driving scenarios. While each manufacturer likely uses a unique algorithm to estimate vehicle range, it can be assumed that some historical driving data is also used to determine the vehicle\u2019s fuel efficiency for future driving. Therefore, the range estimation, at any given point, is affected by the vehicle\u2019s most recent driving conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ran our test vehicles through different driving situations ranging from cruising at highway speeds to being stuck in traffic to typical city driving,\u201d said McKernan. \u201cDespite the irregularities our testing found, a vehicle\u2019s fuel economy display is an important tool to understand how different driving styles impact how efficiently a vehicle uses fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The information displayed by these systems can give drivers a clearer picture of how their specific driving habits influence their fuel economy. To do this, drivers should reset their vehicle\u2019s trip data after filling up, and then watch how their fuel economy display changes as driving conditions change.<\/p>\n

Maximizing Fuel Economy is Key as Gas Prices Reach 7-year High<\/h3>\n

In recent weeks, gas prices have reached their highest point in seven years. To offset some of this additional cost, AAA recommends drivers do the following:<\/p>\n