Why do cars average a higher mpg on highways than in the city?
In: Engineering
Sitting in heavy traffic where an engine is basically idling is 0 MPG. When going slow, the transmission is in a lower gear. This also makes for lower fuel economy because for all the power the engine produces much less distance is traveled.
On the highway you’re in a high or overdrive gear, so for the amount of power the engine is producing it’s covering a lot more distance. At some point aerodynamics factor in due to drag, but that still counts for a lot less than running an engine while covering less or no distance.
That’s why hybrids and electric vehicles are neat. Due to not needing to idle or significantly gear down an engine, their MPG (or equivalent) ratings between city and highway are the opposite of gasoline only vehicles.
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