Tips for Buying a Fuel Efficient Car

The first step in buying a fuel efficient car is to carefully think about the kind of vehicle you want. It’s possible that you might have to sacrifice the gas mileage for the size and power you’ve set your sight on.

Here are top tips for buying a fuel efficient car.

Consider the Weight and Engine Size

Two big factors in determining the fuel efficiency of a car are its weight and engine size. More gas is burned by heavier cars as they are simply more difficult to move around on the road. The power of the vehicle is affected by the size of the engine. It also contributes significantly to the source of the vehicle’s weight.

The Safety-Mileage Trade-Off

When it comes to automotives, there are two conflicting trends. The best gas mileage is provided by lighter vehicles while heavier vehicles are generally safer. However, keep in mind that due to rigorous safety compliance requirements, cars are generally far safer than they were before. You should consider the vehicle’s safety rating when determining the risk involved in exchange of the gas mileage.

Estimated Gas Mileage

If you want to buy a fuel efficient car, study the real-world mileage estimates provided by reputable sources. The estimates published come about as a result of extensive practical use testing to offer drivers a clear picture of what range of gas mileage they should expect according to the car size and style.

In recent years, the estimated gas mileage ratings provided by the EPA have come under scrutiny because of the apparent gap between the published figures and the real mileage drivers get. A major reason for the discrepancy is that the EPA provides ideal figures which might not always reflect the real world driving scenario.

For example, it doesn’t take into account the cargo or the number of passengers as well as situations where the vehicle might be broken into. The tests to determine the estimated gas mileage might also not consider practicalities like air conditioning usage.

Hybrids—vehicles that are usually considered to offer great gas mileage—have skewed results in the EPA tests. Hybrid gas mileage ratings can be overstated as the carbon burned during emissions is measured by the EPA test to calculate average fuel use.

If you’re interested in purchasing brand-new or used fuel efficient cars, get in touch with leading auto brokerage company, New Car Superstore. The LA-based auto broker offers a variety of brands including Audis and BMWs as well as lease specials to help you drive your dream car.