Why do people lie about mpgs?

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

The next was how he knew the EPA ratings because he had checked into them....and then of course how his daughter's Prius got 60mpg.

Most of this talk is ignorance rather than lying especially on cars with instantaneous MPG readouts. They see a high number on the display and pass it on. I've heard hybrid owners especially speak of insanely high mileage - 90+ MPG.

In this line of thought, I will say that my smart MPG is 126 (I saw it blip up on the ScanGuage it must be true!) and that my 4WD, V6, Crew Cab truck has gotten 99 MPG (for about 30 seconds coasting down an interstate hill in neutral after I reset the MPG counter).

Realistically, I'm happy that my smart MPGs are jumping back up to the mid-40s now that we've got summer gas back! Maybe my Fuelly average can recover from the winter MPGs....

[TboneMan]

I'm not a Smart owner (yet), but I've been in these debates many times with diesel pickup truck owners. If you want to talk about inflated numbers go ask one while filling up someday (fuel island envy).

I especially like to ask what software they use for their vehicle log. They usually say, "Oh I don't maintain a log, I just know what I get".

For the record (I can't wait until I can do this with a Smart):

2001 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins Diesel:
Vehicle wgt. 7,100 lbs (Cat scale)
195,252 miles
433 fill-ups
11,096.2 gallons of fuel
17.6 mpg lifetime average
Max single tank 23.2 mpg
Min. single tank 10.1 mpg (towing a 8000 lb trailer on I75 in FL, 102 deg. F ambient temp, maintaining 80mph so that I didn't get run over).
Total towing miles: 11,105

[forestacademy]

Durring the Island questions I always get folks always ask the MPG question. And when I say around 40 they always say is that all. So I always follow up with "over 300 Miles, and less than $20"

MPG's can be fudged Miles per dollar are harder to fudge,

Oh and then I tell them I'm pumping Premium

That usualy get the pump envy going

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Suze

Why do people lie about mpgs?

The same reason they lie about how much or little they paid for stuff, how much they earn per week, &c. Call it human nature, I suppose...

[Kooky]

They lie to impress whoever they're talking to.

[smart fortimo]

Suze, did we touch on this during the 4-car parade this last weekend?... did someone suggest that when asked, tell them 85 MPG?

I was pulled this morning for random search this morning at the site checkpoint and one of the security people asked what mileage I got (as I was trying to pull the front hood off for inspection-- high speed bug splatters had it nearly glued shut ).

I thought for a fleeting moment to blurt out "85 MPG" but quickly changed my mind and gave my standard response... "about 40".

[forestacademy]

85 Down the mountain with a tail wind.

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

85 Down the mountain with a tail wind.

...Coasting in neutral.

[jimvw57]

It is common for my scangauge to hit 9999 coasting down hills.