Government shutdown halts EPA's gas mileage ratings

As part of the federal government shutdown, the Environmental Protection Agency will not be updating its FuelEconomy.gov website with new vehicle fuel-economy ratings, according to a note on the website. This follows the news we covered on Tuesday about the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration putting a hold on vehicle recalls.

However, automakers run their own tests to determine mileage ratings while following EPA guidelines. The EPA only tests between 10% and 15% of car models on the road.

An official EPA mileage rating needs to be present on window stickers for a new car to be sold in the U.S.

If there is an approval from EPA needed -- at the moment, it's not entirely clear on whether automakers can put vehicles on the road with a signoff on the stickers -- new vehicles could be put on hold if the government shutdown is long enough.