Everything's improved considerably with vehicles, but not the mileage as much as other things, why is that?

Question

Everything's improved considerably with vehicles, but NOT the mileage as much as other things, why is that? My dad's 1977 Honda Civic got 40 mpg. and that's still a good mpg number.... WTF???

Answer 1

I have heard that the auto manufacturers were in with the gas producting industries - I personally don't know but it sure makes sense doesn't it?!@

Answer 2

Because they've also gotten much heavier. Just try finding a car the size of a '77 Civic on the market today in the United States. The newest Civics are as heavy as a mid '80s 5.0 Mustang, or about half a ton heavier than the '70s ones.

Answer 3

Actually things have improved. We have smaller engines getting more hp & torque than the old larger engines of the 1960's & 1970's while delivering better fuel economy. Even the Corvette is doing much better per gallon. I had a 1971 Pontiac 455 CID that got 11 in town and 15 on the road. Similar car today is doing 50% better or more in miles per gallon. Yes they have improved substantially, but there are limits as to how much more we can milk out of the old beasts.

Answer 4

The laws of Thermodynamics govern the maximum efficiency of a heat engine like a internal combustion engine in your car. No matter what there is a limit to the fuel efficiency, add to that all the hotel loads ( A/C, power steering, automatic transmission, etc..) and you get even poorer efficiency.