kia motors COURTESY KIA, ALTOONA, PA I BOUGHT A KIA OPTIMA AND THE MILEAGE IS 8MPG LEASS THAN THE WINDOW STICKER. Internet, Pennsylvania

"Driving conditions and habits will influence the mileage you get." Not sure of the actual wordage. Are you an idiot?...I already have the answer to that.

The other disclaimer is "EPA estimates." You may have a case if YOUR window sticker says "You WILL get these mileages".

The MPG figure is a "RATING" based on tests done by the US Government.

Recently in The US there has been evidence of the manufacturers "Gaming" the testing done for ratings to get Milage rating as high as possible.

The cute thing is the rating is subjected to a correction factor before you see it to lower it to "A More Real World" level. In Canada we still get the raw score and get ripped off more.

By the way: To make the real world Highway fuel economy rating for your car is easy. Fill the tank at the on ramp to the freeway, Accelerate gently to 55 mph, set the cruise, do not stop the car or change the speed until you have burnt more than 3/4 of the tank. You should match or beat the rating slightly.

If you run any faster than 55 you will not make your fuel economy target, if you slow down or stop, you will hurt your fuel economy.

So, yes the government, the Manufacturer and the dealer can say with a straight face that the car will do the rated mileage.

Will any one who is sane be able to do it in the real world. NOT BLOODY LIKELY.

I am sure that the dealer will inspect the car for fuel economy issues (and probably has) but once that is done they will believe it is the way you drive your car and blow you off.

Call your Congressman and tell him the correction factor in the rating is too generous too the high side and needs adjustment.