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Are Hybrid Vehicles fun to drive? - READ ONLY

41 messages,  Last post on Jun 12, 2005 at 8:17 PM

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#2 of 41 Re: Are Hybrid Vehicles fun to drive? [misterme] by railroadjames

Nov 27, 2004 (7:44 am)

Replying to: misterme (Nov 26, 2004 4:00 pm)
I don't know if I'd necessarily call it fun as much as I'd like to call it interesting and challenging. The Prius (as well as others) have the computer screen that gives very accurate readouts of HOW YOUR DRIVING. This can be fun just to see if you're willing to adapt changes to your driving habits to improve your MPG's. This plus the silent mode of the cars when only the electric engines are in use tell you that it's up to you how well you do.
Culliganman (hybrids work)

#3 of 41 Yes, the Prius is fun by pjyoung

Nov 27, 2004 (9:07 am)

It has a much "sportier" feel than I thought it would.

#4 of 41 "Fun" of a Hybrid is unlike "fun" in other cars to me by larsb

Nov 30, 2004 (8:13 am)

I think the "fun" part of driving a Hybrid is the "MPG game" you can play using the dashboard gauges and feedback.
 
You can get real-time info as to what MPG you are achieving at that exact moment in time. (How cool is that?) This way, you can use that info to "teach yourself" the best methods for achieving high MPG for that tank and for the future.
 
It's almost, in a slight way, "learning to drive all over again" for some people.
 
Now that I drive a Hybrid and have changed my driving style, it's almost comical to see people ZOOM from red light to red light and STILL be sitting right beside me every time, because all they did was ZOOM (wasting gas the whole way) from this red light to the next one, but when I get there, after GRADUAL acceleration and coasting and SAVING GAS the whole way, there they sit waiting for me. They got about 12 MPG and I got about 40 MPG for the same stretch of road.
 
It's gratifying and tells me I am doing the right thing for this Earth and the future of it. I spent $23.60 last month on fuel for my car.

#5 of 41 by electrictroy

Dec 03, 2004 (5:33 am)

"I think the "fun" part of driving a Hybrid is the "MPG game" you can play using the dashboard gauges and feedback."
 
.
 
Agreed. It is like the old video games where you try to score as high as possible. (I've got 90+ in my Insight....with a peak of 120 on a windy day.)
 
As for actual driving, I found the Prius to be boring. The driver has no control. There are no gears. Just press the pedal, and the computer decides how fast you will accelerate. Yawn.
 
I preferred the stick-shift Civic & Insight Hybrids with 5 gears. The CVT was also cool (it has 3 "gears" - Low, Second, Drive). I love revving my cars to red-line & tearing away from a red light!
 
Troy

#6 of 41 Re: [electrictroy] by pjyoung

Dec 03, 2004 (7:23 am)

Replying to: electrictroy (Dec 03, 2004 5:33 am)
<< I love revving my cars to red-line & tearing away from a red light! >>
 
I'll bet you don't get 91 mpg when you do that.....

#7 of 41 by electrictroy

Dec 03, 2004 (11:30 am)

The instant MPG bar drops to ~30 mpg when I redline my car...
 
...but it quickly jumps up to 100 mpg once I'm cruising along at 55.
 
Remember, my "91 mpg" is the *average*... and I spend a looooong time cruising at 100 mpg (70 miles). So my redlining has little effect.
 
.
 
Besides, a gasoline engine is most efficient when the throttle is wide-open (redlined). I have to go from 0 to 55 sometime... might as well do it the most efficient and fun way I can!
 
Troy

#8 of 41 Re: [electrictroy] by misterme

Dec 03, 2004 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: electrictroy (Dec 03, 2004 11:30 am)
"Besides, a gasoline engine is most efficient when the throttle is wide-open (redlined)."
 
Take this test:
Find a patch of unused level highway a few miles long.
Have a full (90%) pack and engine fully warmed.
No accessories should be on.
Reset your FCD at one end and floor it, keeping it floored until you reach 55 then sustain the 55 MPH until you reach a predetermined "finish line".
 
Notice your MPG at the end of the run.
 
Turn around and return to the starting point, driving carefully as you return so your pack recharges.
 
Now reset your FCD and begin again, this time accelerate very slowly up to 55MPH and sustain the speed until you reach your finish line.
 
Is wide open throttle the most efficient?
 
If WOT is best for economy then why did you just burn fuel at over twice the rate (HCH) given the same top speed and distance?
 
My HCH did 16MPG WOT and 36MPG with a very slow acceleration over a mile.
 
Try this test yourself and see.
 
It sure is nice to have the choice to accelerate quickly or to get great economy in the same vehicle! (Vs. having a car for quick acceleration and so-so MPG, or having a different car for economy)

#9 of 41 by electrictroy

Dec 06, 2004 (9:37 am)

Wide-Open-Trottle, followed by coasting to zero, and then repeating, is how those 1000+ mpg records were set. It's the most efficient state for a gasoline engine.
 
The reason Wide-Open-Trottle is more efficient? Because you eliminate the air-intake losses around the trottle.

#10 of 41 Re: [electrictroy] by misterme

Dec 06, 2004 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: electrictroy (Dec 06, 2004 9:37 am)
"Because you eliminate the air-intake losses around the trottle"
 
Sounds like a nice thoery.
Still doesn't explanin why it burns twice the fuel.

#11 of 41 Re: [electrictroy] by rfruth

Dec 06, 2004 (5:14 pm)

Replying to: electrictroy (Dec 06, 2004 9:37 am)
I've heard of hybrid drivers using the WOT method of driving (i.e. really put your foot in it off the line ((thus forcing the battery to do as much as it can while U get higher MPG)) then get out of it when your up to speed, is that what you mean ?

Messages Page 2 of 5

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