WASHINGTON (Jan. 11)—Tire pressure is one of the factors for which the Environmental Protection Agency wants to make an across-the-board adjustment in its proposed changes to vehicle fuel economy testing.
The new fuel economy estimates, according to the agency, are meant to provide more real-world information to consumers than the current rules last revised in 1985. The proposed estimates will include vehicle-specific data from tests designed to replicate the effect on fuel economy of high speed/rapid acceleration, air conditioning and cold temperatures.
They also will include an across-the-board adjustment to account not only for tire pressure but also for road grade, wind, load and the effects of different fuel properties. The EPA has established a 60-day comment period for the proposed rule; for information on how to submit comments, contact http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy.