Fueleconomy.gov, the official source for EPA fuel economy ratings for automobiles, has compiled a list of the Top 10 Misconceptions about Fuel Economy . The list was developed in response to questions frequently asked by the site’s users and based on input from fueleconomy.gov’s staff of automotive engineers and a panel of experts from auto manufacturers.

Even auto enthusiasts and knowledgeable consumers may find some surprises on the list, because several of the misconceptions generally held true and were considered common knowledge in the not-so-distant past. However, rapid changes in vehicle technologies have made several of these “truths” obsolete or less pervasive.

For example, changing a dirty or clogged air filter could improve your fuel economy significantly in the past, when most vehicles had carbureted engines. However, modern computer-controlled, fuel-injected engines regulate the air-fuel mixture so well that a dirty air filter does not decrease fuel economy—although it can still affect performance.

Also, it was once typical for a vehicle with a manual transmission to get better fuel economy than the same model equipped with an automatic due to the added weight and energy losses associated with the automatic transmission. However, newer automatic transmissions are lighter and more efficient, and it is not uncommon for an automatic-equipped vehicle to achieve fuel economy as good as or better than its manual-equipped counterpart.

Fueleconomy.gov provides an explanation for each of the following Top 10 Misconceptions about Fuel Economy:

1. You have to drive a small car to get good fuel economy.
2. Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics.
3. It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle.
4. Vehicles need to warm up before they can be driven.
5. As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.
6. Replacing your air filter will help your car run more efficiently.
7. Aftermarket additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy.
8. Using premium fuel improves your fuel economy.
9. The EPA fuel economy estimates are a government guarantee on what fuel economy each vehicle will deliver.
10. All vehicles are tested for fuel economy.

Fueleconomy.gov will soon release other Top 10 lists, including the most fuel-efficient vehicles of the past 25 years and the most efficient vehicles as reported by actual drivers.

OK, so maybe the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe isn’t eligible for Internet Car of the Year but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy its beauty. Juror Roosevelt Gist from AutoNetwork.com shot some video that’s worth viewing. Or, as he puts it, “See what $530k will buy you.”

Could a station wagon be among the contenders for Internet Car of the Year? The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V could. Take a look at this video walk around with Cadillac Design Director Clay Dean. By the way, if you like this walk around, check out this Boston.com interview with Cadillac director of exterior design Max Wolff.

Via Autoblog.com, comes the above great video of a Volvo S60 crashing into the back of a truck. Now, like most folks, we here at Internet Car & Truck of the Year enjoy a good crash video as much as the next person. What’s particularly enjoyable about this one, though, is the Volvo S60 does not work quite like it should during a media demonstration.

You see, Volvo S60s traveling below 30 mph are supposed to stop before striking objects. Volvo said, according to the Autoblog.com post, that it was human error. Um, isn’t it humans that program the system to begin with? Does anybody else out there have a little less confidence in this new system that will be available on the 2011 model S60?

By the way, click this link to see how Volvo presents its safety message (sans unexpected crashes that I’m surprised Volvo didn’t blame on unintended acceleration).

2011 Sierra Denali HD

DETROIT – GMC today announces the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the exclusive Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup, will now be available in both 2500 (3/4 ton) and 3500 series (1-ton) configurations. The new Sierra Denali HDs lead a comprehensively redesigned lineup of 2011 Sierra heavy duty trucks that go on sale this summer – including the most powerful diesel engine in the segment.

Due to positive responses received from consumers, media and dealers to the recently announced 2011 Sierra Denali HD 2500 series, GMC is adding additional Denali variants to the Sierra full-size pickups. Already announced is the 2500 series (3/4 ton), crew cab, 4WD version. Now, a 2WD version of the Denali HD 2500 series (3/4 ton) will be available as well as Denali HD crew cab versions of the 3500 Series (1-ton) for both single rear wheel and dually versions in 2WD and 4WD applications. The 3500 series is also available in standard (6-foot 6-inches) and dually long box (8-foot) versions.

“Our Denali line sets the premium standard for the industry,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “We received such an overwhelming response to the new Sierra Denali 2500HD, that we worked quickly and decided to extend the model into the 3500HD series so those GMC buyers can also benefit from blending capability with premium features and styling.”

A Vortec 6.0L gas V-8/six-speed automatic powertrain is standard and the new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel/Allison 1000 six-speed transmission powertrain is available on all Denali HDs. The workhorse Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel V-8 is more powerful and durable for 2011, delivering segment-best horsepower and torque – 397 horsepower (296 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm – lower emissions and B20 biodiesel capability that promotes a domestically produced renewable fuel.

The iconic Denali four-bar, chrome grille with round air inlets distinguishes the Sierra Denali HDs on the outside, along with body-color bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome accents and 17- (Dually), 18- and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels. On the inside they include Denali-specific brushed aluminum trim, power-adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 12-way power seats. Along with an optional heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is available. The exterior is offered in three colors: Black, Stealth Gray and White.

All 2011 Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks have the best warranty coverage in America: a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, plus roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and other features that provide assurance that GMC backs its trucks for everything the road offers.

The 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo V6

In our ongoing attempts to spotlight the reviews of our jurors, we bring you Jeffrey Ross, one of our newest jurors (and a newlywed to boot!), from the website Autotropoilis.com He is a big fan of the Cadillac SRX with the V6 turbo.

Here’s some of what Jeffrey had to say:

With the hot-selling SRX crossover already giving the Lexus RX some stiff competition, the sportier Cadillac SRX Turbo adds a whole new dimension to this midsize luxury crossover rivalry … the more powerful SRX Turbo delivers improved performance to compete against some of the sportier non-V-8 mid-size luxury crossovers like the Acura MDX and Infiniti FX35.

What do you think? I spent a week with the SRX Turbo in Florida and really liked it.

Three in four likely to research on the Web

There’s an interesting report on the shopping habits of new and used car buyers on eMarketer.com. It reports, in part:

In 2009, used-vehicle purchases became as common online as offline, and with many consumers ready to buy a car after holding back during the recession, online research is the first step in both new- and used-vehicle purchase decisions.

That just goes to show what an influence the Internet Car and Truck of the Year awards are going to have. Our jurors are the folks consumers turn to for car shopping advice. Make sure you’re a part of it.

By the way, the research was conducted for About.Com, which is heavily involved in Internet Car & Truck of the Year.