I have been doing some reading and listening to some rumors that the new vehicles have to meet more strict fuel milage guidelines. Does anyone know what is going on so that I know what to expect, please explain it in "dummy" terms so that this redneck can understand it. Thanks, Gary

 

Well ya see, if you can get 15 mpg wit 4 dawgs in the bed of your truck, and 3 girls, then wit the new strictins, 2 of dem girls gonna hav to go, cauze I ain't leavin no dogs.

Just kidding, the new rules seem to talk about theclassifications on the vehicles. I am no expert, and may be wrong but this is what I have read so far. If you look at new trucks, the big V-8 and diesels do not list MPG on the sticker because of the class their in, the numbers are too low. They are listed as work vehicles I think. But trucks with smaller engines are considered passenger vehicles and their mpg numbers are higher. (On average) The new laws will raise that number again, and all current trucks getting 17 mpg average will be considered work vehicles. The new trucks will need to average 20 mpg I think. It will not affect trucks built prior to the year the law is passed. Also I don't know if it affects taxes etc. Like I said I may be wrong, but that is all I can find so far.

 

that seems to be very veague, thanks smoke,can anyone else get a little more spacific? I loved the redneck talk though.

 

What exactly are you looking for and I can look into it. I was just tring to give you the big picture.

 

Basically they are classifying anything that gets less than 20MPG a work truck, is there going to be a gas guzzler tax, also I heard that they MUST make them get that new mark? What is the new mark for 1500, 2500? Diesel and Gas? I would like to know whereI can find these answers so that I can read into all the stuff that I am wondering. I am not trying to get you to do my work, I was just looking for a simple answer to my question that doesn't look like it exists. Thanks

 

there's no way they could force manufacturers to make vehicles get certain gas mileage... thats ridiculous if they can... they might have to completely retool the engines... what about high power options? are they completely gone now? ridiculous

 

from what ive heard the mileage change wont be going into affect for american manufactures for another year or two.

 

Manufacturers won't have a choice in the matter. I think by 2009 or 2010 all companies will have to make trucks to meet the strictest emission guidelines ( kinda like SUVs and trucks will have to meet the same pollution guidelines as a Honda Civic does now ). And they have to improve fuel economy too as some kind of oil preservation guideline. There is no way around it. Chevy has plans to make a 4.8 turbo diesel with 300 hp for the 1500 and 2500 series trucks leaving only the 4.3 and 4.8 flex-fuel gas and the 4.8 diesel for the 1500. The cool thing is that the diesel will be a real performer and get up to 30 mpg highway.

 

Yeh I have heard about that new diesel. I cannot wait to test drive a truck with it in it. That is kinda what I was expecting as far as the new regulations. I heard that ALL trucks will have to achieve a 26MPG highway as a baseline. But I am not positive on this. They are also pushing the Class A diesel trucks to new hights, they have to be modified to make the smog tests and they will also be pushed up the latter with fuel milage requirements. They make about 8MPG now and from what my dad has heard they will have to get around 12-15 MPG. That is crazy if you ask me. The world has gone to hell in a handbag!

 

Wait like 10 to 20 years. We will only be able to get bio-diesel trucks that get like 50 mpg or better, or hybrid trucks that run primarily on eletric motors. That wouldn't be too bad tho considering they now have eletric motors that can scoot a truck down the 1/4 mile in no time flat while pulling a house. It just sucks that gas will be like 5-7 bucks a gallon by then and forget about cool sounding exhaust sytems on V8s. LOL Can you imagine buying a circuit board insted of an exhaust or something to give your truck/car more hp!