EPA Mileage vs Actual Mileage

In 1980, I became the proud recipient of a New York State driver’s license. After learning how to drive, park and make u-turns. I learned how to wait on line to buy gasoline. With the prospect of gasoline prices reaching $4 per gallon, today just as back then, fuel economy is a primary factor when considering a new car purchase.

Very often people complain that their vehicle will not get the miles per gallon numbers that the manufacturer printed on the window sticker. If you’re included in this group, or are considering a new purchase, you need to know how this system really works.

First, the mileage statistics on the window sticker are not calculated by the manufacturer. The tests are actually performed by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Second, in order to keep the tests fair and accurate, each vehicle is tested under controlled conditions.
A vehicle driven on a hot street in Florida will perform differently than if it were on a snow covered road in Alaska. Standardized testing removes these types of variables and while it doesn’t mimic real-world driving, it levels the playing field. Vehicles are tested in a climate controlled building while running on a treadmill-like device at specific speeds for specific times to simulate city and highway driving. While the driving conditions are not realistic, the results of the test are a realistic account of what the vehicle can deliver. More important, it provides an accurate comparison of one vehicle to another.

So, use those EPA figures as a comparison not a performance guaranty. While a car that’s rated to get 28 mpg may not deliver that, it should certainly perform better than a car rated at 22 mpg. Weather conditions, elevation, vehicle loading, traffic conditions and driving styles play the greatest role in influencing gas mileage – all of which are negated by the EPA’s test procedures.

For more information, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ where you can get EPA ratings for vehicles from 1985 to 2008! You can also print a fuel economy guide and read more about the testing procedures.

Conversion Vans - Beauties or Beasts?

While attending a recent new car show, I noticed one of the “manufacturers” touting their wares was a builder of conversion vans. Except for the Alltel commercials, I don’t see a lot of conversion vans around anymore – and perhaps with good reason.

The “concern” I’ve always had with conversion vans (and by the way, there are other conversion trucks) is the fact that you have two manufacturers involved in building one vehicle, and that can lead to repair and warranty issues.

The vehicle manufacturer Chevrolet, GMC, etc., builds the van and sells it to the conversion company. http://www.gmfleet.com/pages/shopBy/Sport_Cargo_Vans_byBrand.jsp?seo=goo_conversion_vans The van purchased by the conversion company or upfitter, is typically equipped with a dashboard and a driver’s seat, like a delivery truck. The conversion company then installs the fancy seats, seat belts, carpet, interior panels, insulation (maybe), lighting, electronics, rear heat, air conditioning, and additional wiring harnesses and fuse panels to power it all. To the exterior, they apply the paint, graphics, fender flares, wheels, tires, running boards, etc, and in some cases, the roof extension. “High top” vans are not built that way at the factory but have the original roof cut off and a new roof installed. The roof and any added windows can have a dramatic effect on a vehicle’s comfort, ride and handling characteristics. The conversion company customizes the vehicle to meet their specifications. The additional weight and power requirements impose additional strain that may exceed the manufacturer’s specifications.

So, here’s where the problem comes in. The vehicle manufacturer will warranty their product, or portion that they built, for the prescribed warranty term. You may have read in your warranty booklet that the warranty may be voided by evidence of neglect, abuse or modification… but let’s not even go there. The conversion company is responsible for everything else. What else? For how long? These are good questions to ask before buying the vehicle!

At purchase, customers may be told that the vehicle is covered under warranty for 3 years/ 36,000 miles. While this is usually true, they are not advised that there are actually two separate warranties in effect. Most conversion companies will match the manufacturer’s warranty term but do not offer such amenities as Roadside Assistance or Alternate Transportation. Needed replacement parts are mailed from the factory and may cause the customer to be without the vehicle for extended periods. Down time is further accentuated by the fact that conversion companies do not usually print repair manuals to assist technicians in the proper diagnosis and repair of their systems.

GM is not affiliated with any of these companies and General Motors does not warrant any upfitter installed parts. In the event of a conversion related concerns, the best you can do is work with the selling dealership since they have a working relationship with the conversion company.

NOTE: Conversion companies have also been known to customize such vehicles as Suburbans, Yukons, Silverados, and Sierras. The “upgrade” package is typically less dramatic but may include leather seating surfaces, custom dash and other trim (ex. woodgrain) appointments, entertainment systems, wheels/ tires, running boards and graphics.

The moral of the story is, before buying a conversion vehicle; know what you’re getting into. Check out the conversion company (upfitter) online, ask how long the dealer has been working with them, ask about what happens if the vehicle has a problem while you’re out of town, or if you move. Will you have to pay for repairs and then try to get reimbursed by the company? If you buy and extended warranty policy, will they cover conversion related failures? Weigh your options carefully before committing. They look great, but bring along their own baggage.

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OnStar - On the Job

“I’ve locked my keys in the car…” is the typical distress call advertised to promote the advantage of having OnStar service in your vehicle. Although this is likely the most common service provided, there are many others that do not get as much publicity.

First, a quick summary of how it works; OnStar uses a Global Positioning System or GPS in addition to cellular phone service to keep in touch with you and your vehicle. It is also tapped into the vehicle’s electrical system for power, information and to perform some specific actions. The GPS uses satellites to locate your vehicle within just a few feet of its actual position.

One of my favorite features is the vehicle alert that is of particular value to those who lose our vehicles in parking lots. OnStar will beep the horn and flash the lights for several minutes.
Other valuable features include stolen vehicle tracking. By using the GPS signal, OnStar can lead police to your vehicle’s location if it were ever stolen.
There is also an on-board diagnostics feature. If the Service Engine lamp should come on, calling OnStar can offer some reassurance as to whether there is a serious issue of just a loose gas cap triggering the light.
In case of tragedy, OnStar will call the center and notified them if your vehicle’s air bags deploy.
There is also an emergency (panic) button that provides a link to emergency services.
Of course it also offers hands-free cellular phone service which can be used to call for roadside assistance – providing you’re not calling for help with a dead battery.

Which is one of OnStar’s few weaknesses. It relies on the vehicle to provide it with electricity. It also requires a cellular coverage area and a view of the sky to communicate with the satellites. Tunnels and mountains are not OnStar friendly.

All of these features are typically included with your new OnStar equipped vehicle – of course additional features are available for additional fees.
Is it worth the money? Well, at one time seat belts were optional and many believed they weren’t worth the money… Get more info at http://www.gmonstar.com/

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