Hybrid Gas Mileage Good? Bad? As Expected?

519 messages, Last post on Jan 16, 2007 at 6:14 AM

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What is this discussion about? Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG)

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#486 of 519 Re: My driving style is now more sensible, more economically sound. [larsb] by gagrice Dec 14, 2005 (6:53 pm)
Replying to: larsb (Dec 14, 2005 1:52 pm) If all of those people slowed down enough to save a nickel's worth of fuel every day, that's $7.5 million saved every day. $225 million saved per month. $2.7 BILLION saved per year. If all the people drove ONE mile less each day it would save more than a Nickel. I don't think most Americans are interested in either option or any other money saving plan. We are consumers to the max. What was our trade deficit just announced? $68,000,000,000 I believe. No small part of that was new cars every from overseas. Plus all the parts for those cars. Somehow your nickel a day falls a bit short.
#487 of 519 Re: My driving style is now more sensible, more economically sound. [warner] by xcel Dec 14, 2005 (8:03 pm)
Replying to: warner (Dec 14, 2005 6:24 pm) Hi Warner: I receive quite a bit more then 35 mpg in an Accord so you don’t have to be concerned with this maximum comfort driver vs. whatever you are driving and the way you were driving it … And about that granny sitting in the right lane while we are all crawling along at 2 mph for an hour. That’s right, the granny in the 92 Chevrolet Cavalier is traveling as fast or faster then your friend in the Viper and in whatever you are in at this time? I guess he bought it to look good because he certainly isn’t driving to fast in the Chicago area as of late … How about you? Are you pretending to do 75 in that bumper to bumper crawl we call the Hillside strangler or the Touhy Toll as of late? Funny how that grandma is kicking your $$ to her destination! Pre-Open Road Tolling of course Good Luck Wayne R. Gerdes Replies to this message: warner (Dec 14, 2005 8:47 pm)
#488 of 519 Re: My driving style is now more sensible, more economically sound. [xcel] by warner Dec 14, 2005 (8:47 pm)
Replying to: xcel (Dec 14, 2005 8:03 pm) I don't travel the same way you do, Wayne. I take I90 from Elgin to Arlington Heights and back....most of the time I can do 80mph at least a good portion of the way. My friend who owns the Viper lives in McHenry and drives a few miles back and forth to two different hospitals where he's an ER doctor, so I don't think he is suffering in the same traffic that you are, either. Warner
#489 of 519 Re: A/C on or off [warner] by misterme Dec 15, 2005 (3:04 pm)
Replying to: warner (Dec 14, 2005 9:59 am) warner wrote: "I say to the hyper-milers, "Go get your record mileage on the weekend when the roads are not congested, but please don't make my commute miserable so you can save a nickel each day on gas." I am a fairly aggressive driver though....so maybe I have my own issues, too" It always amazes me how people don't realize just how much driving style drains the wallet. Take me for example. Before my present car I was always aggressive, in fact my last car was a Dodge 4cyl that did around 15-17MPG. How foolish I was to rationalize my driving by thinking that I get there sooner so it all evens out. A car just gets what it gets with little driver influence...right? Our Grand Caravan had worse mileage. I drive almost 100 miles/day and HAD to find a solution so I bought one of the most fuel efficient autos they make...and learned a good lesson in economics as well. I can drive fairly aggressively in my HCH and expect 30's MPG, or drive with the flow and get low 50's or stretch it out and get almost 70MPG (Average per tank) That's almost 40MPG difference Regarding conventional autos, I can drive the GC fairly aggressively and get 14MPG, drive with the flow and get 19-21MPG or drive more carefully and get up to 28. Almost 14MPG difference. This is saving more than a nickel each day, in fact it played a major part in paying off the hybrid premium within the first year. Driving for efficiency has nothing to do with the proverbial grandma driver. Anyone can drive slowly, creating a bottleneck and making drivers angry...just as easily as an aggressive driver creates dangerous situations by mashing the gas, swerving around other speeders and tailgating. Driving for efficiency is a skill that can be learned. I did low 50's for the first few months of HCH ownership and as my skills developed reached 60's and eventually higher. Lately my MPG is low 60's and over the two years never once made a driver angry for slow driving. I'm keeping a ton of cash in my pocket, the drive is vastly more pleasant & predictable. I'm no longer a real liability and finincial threat to our family (and others) for agressive driving...I'm enjoying this car far more than any previous auto. I don't think anyone who's in the habit of agression could understand what I just wrote with that kind of mindset...I know I couldn't at the time either. My hypermiling does cost more time though....about the same as a typical TV commercial break over a 50 mile trip. up to 40MPG difference in one vehicle and 14 in another....not a bad trade-off I'd say.
#490 of 519 Driving habits by looking4prius Dec 16, 2005 (11:05 am)
While waiting for my Prius to be delivered, I have been practicing my driving habits in my old ('91) Honda Accord. I have come to the conclusion that it pays more to take it easy. Why? I am not rushing around as much; besides going the speed limit, I am not pushing it. As a result, I am driving safer. The commute to work is easier now. Although I have to leave earlier, I get to work on time and I am not bothered by traffic. On the way home, when sitting in 5mph traffic, I take my time rather than try to get through the traffic. Plus, I am getting better mileage out of my old car than I had been. Previously, I was a jackrabbit who couldn't wait to get to the next stoplight (or freeway exit). Now, with a more relaxed method of driving, I also don't feel that much rushed. So when my Prius comes I will be able to drive it and enjoy it. Not only will I save more gas but I will save my nerves, too. Replies to this message: larsb (Dec 16, 2005 11:08 am) falconone (Dec 19, 2005 2:30 pm) heyjewel (Dec 19, 2005 2:23 pm)
#491 of 519 Re: Driving habits [looking4prius] by larsb Dec 16, 2005 (11:08 am)
Replying to: looking4prius (Dec 16, 2005 11:05 am) Great Job Looking4 ~~!! Welcome to the sensible side of driving !!! Your personal stress level is down, too, you can be sure. Replies to this message: falconone (Dec 19, 2005 2:30 pm)
#492 of 519 Re: Driving habits [looking4prius] by heyjewel Dec 19, 2005 (2:23 pm)
Replying to: looking4prius (Dec 16, 2005 11:05 am) I agree. I've been pretty much doing the same thing, basing some of it on ideas gleaned from a writeup by misterme. I've gone from ~ 22mpg to ~ 27mpg on my 70 mile RT commute over an 1800 foot pass in my Lincoln LS. Not earth shattering but an appx 20% increase helps at $2.25 + /gallon. PS - Oh, I'm not waiting on a Prius though. Can't afford a new car right now. Probably wouldn't be a Prius if I could. PPS - All that said, I have SERIOUS doubts about misterme's claimed 100% improvement in his GC from 14 to 28 mpg. There is NO WAY I think I could do the same in my Lincoln. That would be 44mpg. Misterme - how can I achieve that??? Best I've gotten is 28.4 and that was keeping it under 60mph. At that speed the only thing I passed in 35 miles was a garbage truck.
#493 of 519 Re: Driving habits [larsb] by falconone Dec 19, 2005 (2:30 pm)
Replying to: larsb (Dec 16, 2005 11:08 am) I agree about the stress level. I believe hypermiling techniques can be used in any car. Look at Xcel who achieves high 40's in his PZEV Accord. He doesn't seem to be late for appointments according to his posts!!! If I were to get a hybrid, I would definitely get a Prius. Judging from all the non hybrid folks chiming in, it looks like hybrid mania is just beginning!! I think the hybrids (especially the Prius) are really going to do quite well over the next decade.
#494 of 519 Update on gas mileage/fuel costs by larsb Dec 20, 2005 (9:13 am)
For those who might care: From August 8th 2005 through December 19th 2005, my Civic Hybrid has achieved this: 3,070 miles driven $134.66 spent on fuel 135 days total about $1 per day in fuel costs about 4.4 cents per mile in fuel costs about 49.3 miles per gallon average fuel price was $2.579 per gallon I could expect no better than this from anything this side of a Honda Insight. Hooray for Hybrids !! Replies to this message: falconone (Dec 20, 2005 9:29 am)
#495 of 519 Re: Update on gas mileage/fuel costs [larsb] by falconone Dec 20, 2005 (9:29 am)
Replying to: larsb (Dec 20, 2005 9:13 am) Actually...hooray you don't drive a diesel. At least you're being lean and green!!! Our planet thanks you!!!