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You won't save much money by hypermiling

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by PriusNeckBeard, Sep 30, 2016.

  1. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    I seldom use the A/C - thanks for bringing that up as that's a big factor.

    I can get away with avoiding the A/C in the mornings. Occasionally, I have a change of clothes when it's hotter. Sometimes there is no getting around using the A/C.
     
  2. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    Wish more drivers did that. Can't tell you how many times over the years posters cry they NEED their pickup/SUV all the time...WANT is more factual. ;)
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I get paid squat for a lot of stuff I do, not going to stop me doing it. :)
     
    #83 Mendel Leisk, Oct 4, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2016
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  4. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    Dallas without AC!! That's masochistic! LOL!
     
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  5. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    In the mornings the temperature is 85 or less, so windows rolled down can work.
     
  6. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    In the mornings the temperature is 85 or less, so windows rolled down can work.
     
  7. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    dup post
     
  8. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    I have been trying my best to not run the AC myself these last couple months in my 2016, but I can fondly recall my last couple trips to Dallas and it being the Humid alternative to Pheonix. Both places were o_O in my books. Lol. No offense. I just don't like the heat. Actually I recall sitting on the Tarmac in my window seat (multiple hr weather related flight delay!) and watching a few funnel clouds start up and all I could think of was why the hell are we still sitting in this plane!!!:cautious:
     
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  9. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    FYI, I don't do much hwy driving. I'm rarely on the interstate as I don't take the interstate to get to work. I only take the interstate if a road is closed for what ever reason. Other wise the only time I'm on the hwy if I'm going out of town.
     
    #88 eman08, Oct 4, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2016
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Is Dallas going to feel that hurricane, or far enough west??
     
  11. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    Latest models are showing the farthest west as being central PA and farthest east as being way out in the Atlantic but only as a category 1 possibly by sat / sun... It does look like coastal FL, SC, NC appear to possibly be in line to get the brunt of the storm post islands.. Be prepared and be safe folks down there.
     
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  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Because our consumption still greatly exceeds our production.
    Because a number of foreign governments are so dependent on oil revenue to fund national budgets, they must keep selling despite low prices.
    Just be sure that the water and heat resources consumed to wash the plastic, and the fuel to transport it back, don't exceed the value of the plastic being recycled.

    The way I see some people using hot water for such washing, I'm not so sure they are actually saving resources. My household was no exception, at least before the electric resistance water heater was replaced with a heat pump version.
     
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  13. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    If the car has been in the Sun all day long in August, I have to use the A/C.
     
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  14. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    Hey, Chuck, and EVERYONE, let's continue the A/C portion of this conversation on the new thread,
    Staying Cool AND Getting Great Gas Mileage | PriusChat

    (or here as well, of course)
     
    #93 PriusNeckBeard, Oct 4, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2016
  15. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Exception that proves the rule. "I've done" vs lifetime average, is the important terminology here.
    Some people like Wayne Gerdes work very hard to achieve amazing mpgs, but most get fewer than the EPA estimates "just driving it". 30mph is the maximum speed on the vast majority of city streets. 45mph roads are very rare in the city, but that is called a parkway or a thruway, and falls somewhere in between a highway and a city street AND is the ideal place to hypermile!
    Here's how the EPA does it's testing: "The first test cycle, which sought to mimic rush-hour traffic in downtown Los Angeles with an average speed of 21 mph, is called the FTP, or city cycle, and is still in use today. This dyno test is 11 miles long, takes just over 31 minutes to complete, involves 23 stops, reaches a top speed of 56 mph, and has maximum acceleration equivalent to a lazy, 18-second 0-to-60-mph run."
    Measuring Fuel Economy
     
    #94 kenoarto, Oct 5, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 5, 2016
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  16. PriusNeckBeard

    PriusNeckBeard Active Member

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    Interestingly, re-visiting my original premise, I've decided to stop managin my fuel consumption. At least for now.

    I've joined Fuelly. My 3rd fill-up (2nd Fuelly mpg calculation) has me at 43.1 mpg.
    Remember, the premise of this thread was relative cost savings (i.e. over and above regular driving habits.)

    Given the calculations in my original post:
    Constantly watch gauges for $100 a year? no way.

    I am modifying some driving habits, but those that can easily become habits!
    I no longer run up to stoplights (*well, never really did), but will mind that a bit more, as I have been.
    Cutting the A/C? Sure. I've cut my a/c consumption by perhaps 1/3. (set the thermostat to higher temperatures, vents pointing right at me)

    Other wise, I KNOW I dont' have the focus or attention span to get 68 mpg, like the true pros here, and saving $100 for all the effort is a non-starter.
    I live where I do need some A/C. Can only do so much on that. I want to have basic comfort.

    I'll check my mpg again after the next two fuel-ups. If I maintain >40 (especially, >43mpg), I'll hold steady and forgo the $100 savings/hypermiling for a little peace of mind (easier driving) and also safety. (I'm finding that not coasting all the time keeps me more predictable to other drivers, and thus safer, and I'm much more road aware if I'm driving more 'lean forward' than 'kick back'. It really does make a difference in my driving - much safer.)

    Remember (for those of you who don't want to go back to the original thread),
    Improving MPG from 44 mpg to 50 mpg only saves you about $100.

    Thought I'd check in. This Prius-lover will 'Just Drive' and love it all the way.

    Best,
    PNB
     
    #95 PriusNeckBeard, Oct 6, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2016
  17. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

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    ^ you said you had the car two weeks - it's going to take time to know the nuances. While it takes time, it's not hard - it takes a while to change your driving mindset.

    The suggestions hypermiling is more dangerous - it has not cause any accidents for me in a decade. Look at the drivers racing this weekend and you'll see the hazard.
     
  18. Starship_Enterprius

    Starship_Enterprius Active Member

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    Agree with the above post. Also the comparison vs 44mpg is false. As you keep on hypermiling and pushing your limits, your mpg Averages Up.... you acquire driving habits that will improve your overall mpg (and maintenance costs) without trying. Your floor starts moving up from 40mpg to 44mpg to 50mpg to 55mpg to 58mpg to 62mpg etc. These good habits is something you will carry over to other cars effortlessly, and should add to those savings for the rest of your life.... it becomes just how you drive.

    Anytime you acquire good habits to save money, conserve energy, lessen oil wars, and help the environment for future generations is time well spent. If you live to 90, that's a lot of years of accumulated effect.

    And that's just the icing, it's actually fun once you get the hang of it.
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Not really mpg related, just something I'm noticing lately: no one seems to come to a full stop when they're supposed to. Making a right turn (left turn for the Brits and kin) at a red light, they roll through the broad white line and cross walk, basically playing a game of "chicken" with the folks coming through on the green.

    There are multiple reasons for coming to a full stop. Not giving the folks on the green light a heart attack, for openers. And while they're rolling through the cross walk, locking eyes on the through traffic, pedestrians stepping into the crosswalk are not even a consideration.
     
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  20. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Also known in these parts as the "California Stop."
     
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  21. eman08

    eman08 Active Member

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    Saw a car fly through a stop sign and caught a red light runner making a left turn on red without coming to a complete stop before getting to the line. Got those suckers on my dashcam video ha. I'm alot more focused in the zone when I hyper mile as it makes me more of aware of my surroundings as I don't have brake hard since I look farther down the road and watch the traffic lights ahead that changes. Then you get people that get instant karma haha when they try to pass behind you from the left lane to get in front of you on the interstate and nearly about to collide with a merging vehicle, that forced the passer to move back over.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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