Bama214

One thing that continually strikes me is the apparent difference between the mpg claims by US drivers, versus the numbers mentioned by UK drivers. Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I believe this is due to the difference in the size of the gallon --- US uses the "gallon = 3.785 liters" while the UK still bases their mpg ratings on the Imperial Gallon (=4.546 liters). So about a 20% difference.

If that's right, a US driver would say (for example) 25mpg, but the UK driver would say 30mpg (20% better). But I think it's just semantics --- if we each quoted miles per liter the numbers would be the same.

Anyway, if that's wrong, please let me know!

Isay5

You're correct. This would apply to Canada as well.
The official fuel consumption conventions for new car sales here is "litres/100km".

Nogaro

I'm getting 14.7 mpg on my 535i.....


WHAT?!?!?


Can't a Man enjoy his daily commute?


PS: I'm notoriously known for driving like a maniac...safe...but a maniac nonetheless..

steve_gus

you are correct.

Also, even though we are paying $11 a gallon for diesel at least its 20% bigger than your $4 gallon.

Richard in NC

Are the U.K. (and elsewhere) prices going up fast like in the U.S. or are we actually catching up?
It's gone up 33% or more in 6 months, 50% in about a year, from $2.75 per gallon to over $4.00.

Brit_in_NJ

I think there is something like 70% tax on petrol (gas) in the UK now. Fuel tax + 17.5% VAT so hopefully we will never catch up!

If we do I'm going back home and catching a bus!

studavis

I had a nervous nelly with me last week on a trip from McCall, Idaho to Boise. Great route through some serious twisty roads, great passing lanes, and beautiful landscape. The nelly had a queasy stomach, so I drifted into high mpg mode, and managed to get 29.7, which is the highest ever recorded in my BMW. Hell, it is the highest I think I have ever gotten in any car I have ever owned. This was sort of fun, because you take on a whole new manner of driving, coasting down hills, smooth transitions, no passing, no bursts to 140. As I read this back now, I might have to turn in my man permit, or move to Canada

Nephs

I don't think you'll ever catch up with the UK.

The price of diesel has gone up from the begining of the year from 96p per litre to ?1.30 per litre.

Demonstrations are starting to take place demanding the government here lower the tax on fuel (we pay fuel tax plus vat so we are actually taxed twice on every litre we buy).

narvselius

There are economic driving schools in Sweden (probably having a field day nowadays...) and I remember listing to one of the guys who gave some interesting advice...

1 You save fuel by driving at constant speed. All acceleration is Bad. So, accelerate fast to the speed you want to reach, but not passing 3,500 rpm.
2 If you have manual gear, stop using 2nd and 4th for a 5 speed gearbox. By using the previously mentioned technique you don't need those gears (as a principle, of course not always true).
3 Drive in highest possible gear; 5th or 5th gear going 50 km/h is OK, but not if you want to accelerate (see pt 1).

I've used this technique, and it save a flot of fuel. It also is applicable on auto-cars too Even using my wife's car (V6 auto), and driving faster than her - more "aggressive" she would say - I'm at least 1,0 lit/100km below her consumption figures.

narvselius

... and you think you're unique...? Our VAT is 25%, by the way...

Ahhh, fuel prices....