Facts about vehicle fuel consumption ratings
Understanding vehicle fuel consumption ratings can help you become more empowered as a consumer and save you money at the pumps. Here are some facts about fuel consumption ratings that may help.
Published ratings are a useful tool for comparing vehicles before you buy: Fuel consumption ratings help consumers make informed, energy-efficient purchase decisions by providing a reliable comparison of the relative fuel consumption performance of different vehicles.
Ratings are determined from tests in a laboratory: Vehicles are tested using standardized testing procedures to determine the fuel consumption ratings that appear on the EnerGuide label affixed to new lightduty vehicles sold in Canada. For model year 2015, an improved testing procedure has been implemented to determine the fuel consumption ratings of new light-duty vehicles. The new test methods, approved by the Government of Canada, are more representative of typical driving conditions and styles. The new test methods (5-cycle testing) supplement the standard (2-cycle) city and highway tests by integrating three additional test cycles that account for air conditioner usage, cold temperature operation and driving at higher speeds with more rapid acceleration and braking. The new 5-cycle testing results in higher fuel consumption ratings that are more representative of a vehicle’s on-road fuel consumption compared to the old ratings.
How, where and when you drive has an impact on your vehicles fuel consumption: No laboratory test can simulate all pos- sible combinations of conditions that may be experienced by drivers on the road. Your vehicle’s fuel consumption will vary from its published fuel consumption ratings, depending on how, where and when you drive.
The following factors affect the consumption of your vehicle:
Your driving style and behaviour includ-
fuel ing vehicle acceleration, driving speed, as well as other factors like age and condition of your vehicle, temperature, weather, traffic and road conditions, and drive systems and powered accessories (e.g. air conditioning) installed on your vehicle.
To learn more, check out www.vehicles.nrcan.gc.ca. Source: News Canada