<VV> EPA Mileage estimates

[NicolCS at aol.com]

FWIW, Here's a thought about estimating our Corvair's "EPA" mileage:   The 
EPA "Highway" number involves quite a driving regimen starting with a cold  
start and a simulated city drive to the on-ramp.  There's a significant  highway 
portion, they back on city streets to the stopping point.  The  "City" numbers 
are gathered in a similar way beginning with a cold  start but with lots of 
stop and go in the program (I think there's  even a little "freeway" in it.  The 
EPA "Highway" number is NOT what  you will get on a straight highway cruise. 
That's why a modern  Cadillac V8 will have a highway EPA number of 23 but will 
actually get 28-30 in  straight highway driving.  City numbers are closer to 
real city  driving.
Let's say a Corvair usually gets 23 in highway cruise.  An EPA highway  
number might come in more like 18.  If a Corvair in city use generally gets  16 
mpg, EPA might be pretty close to that.  16/18 sound depressing?   Remember fuel 
economy has increased 50 to 100% in the last 20 years!  There  are ways to get 
the Corvair up there; fuel injection, modern cam design, better  cylinder 
head designs, taller final drive.  "Heads up"!!!
Craig Nicol
65,66,67