Gas Mileage, Comparison Options

[97celiman]

hey i just want to check my numbers if im wrong then im worried i cant do simple math
i calculated getting 18 mpg in the city on my stock 1997gt 5 spd/5sfe now i can drive a stick pretty well but every once in a while i buck a little...basically its just not as smooth as an auto....im wondering if anyone else can give me there numbers...i was thinking with toyota id be getting better even in city but its pretty stop and go which is kiling me with the 5 spd. however im going off to college where its mostly interstate so not so much a big deal anyway any numbers would be helpful...thanks

[mspired13]

EPA milage are suppose to be off by about 7MPG on either end. This is to account for everything else in life such as type of gas used (certain mixture for different parts of the country), terrain (flat vs hilly), atmospheric pressure (more or less oxygen), etc. If you ever look at a posting for a new car EPA figures...it will give you a range in smaller print then the big numbers placed onthe window sticker. The big numbers like 22/34 is the avearge. So in reality, you might be getting 20/40. Everybody is from different places...and everybody's car is different maintience level. Just keep your car tuned and perfected and you will have close to the EPA results. Hope that helps clear up a few things.