Gen5 Hypermiling Checklist

Here's what I was talking about. Isn't the linear progression of the MPGs odd? The blank area (right after the 15 min point) is me parked outside a store w/ car on + AC for dog).

The stair step bars is me driving from store and then heading back home. I ended up with 53.8 MPG for the trip. I probably had the car parked and running for 25 mins. It was HOT!

 

I'm starting to notice the AC potentially having a bigger-than-expected effect on MPGs. It's hot and humid as balls here in Kansas.

The AC system on auto kind of just takes over all the other settings it seems. You can click on them, but I think the AI is picking the most efficient combination.

I believe I'm seeing a benefit raising the thermostat to the minimum temp that's comfortable instead of just leaving it at a number in the 60's.

I initially assumed that changing the temps a few degrees would barely register compared to just shutting the entire AC off. It seems this is not the case.

If the G5's AC is causing a bigger burden on MPG's (I don't know why this would be the case, but my initial impressions were that it was more powerful than my G4's - Eco mode to Eco), then tinting and windshield visors will become more important.

All I know is, on a mild evening, with the AC off and the windows down, I can get crazy-high MPG's, even when I'm not trying to. With the AC roarin', not so much.

A word on the dedicated battery coolant system that's new on the G5's. Is that just for the Primes, or all trim levels?

 

Definitely saw a big difference today adjusting the thermostat from 70f to whatever was the limit of my comfortability. That happened to be around 75f. Temps outside were 100f heat index (actual 93-94f) with full sunshine.

I drove 15 miles (in the city only) and had two stops where I shut the car off. AC was on 95% of the time at the levels I described. My trip included many traffic light stops and turns.

First destination was around 5.5 miles. Car was warming up, but the cabin was also still fairly cool coming out of the garage. I even tried to drive with the windows down a bit. Too muggy. I got almost 62 MPG on this trip.

My next trip was only a couple miles and my ICE decided it needed to run more. The car had also been out in the full sun so the AC was likely working harder. I did use a windshield visor (highly recommended). I got around 40 MPG for this trip.

The last trip was the longest and took me back to the garage. I was parked in semi-shade. This final segment was 7 miles and I earned almost 79 MPG!! It was smoking hot on the way back.

Turning the AC up to 75f seemed to make a HUGE difference. Had I just left it where I usually do, 68-70, my MPGs would have been in the 50's.

My entire trip was 65.4 MPG! For this kind of heat and traffic, that's a record. And the only thing I changed was the thermo by +5 degrees. I was decently comfortable too!

So it appears that the G5's fuel mileage can be just as hampered by the AC as the G4. Maybe even more so if you like to crank it down real low.

I mentioned previously that one of my first impressions of the G5 was the AC. It felt much more powerful than the G4. Both were always kept on Eco. I tried to use only what I needed in the G4, but in Kansas summers, it always seemed like I needed a lot.

Therefore it would appear, particularly in the G5, when wanting to maximize MPG's, the AC levels have as much effect on the fuel economy as the coefficient of drag lol. I don't know any other way to explain it. I gained anywhere from 10-15% more fuel economy by simply raising the thermo from 70-75.

Maybe somebody driving a G4 in similar weather, can test their mileage after setting the AC to 75f . I don't think it will yield nearly the same benefit.







Yay 99!

 

Had to head out again on almost the exact same track. Temps were around 103f heat index this time. Kept the AC at 75f.









Each pic represents shutting the car off, with the third one being back in the garage. The fourth photo is the entire trip average. It's no fluke! You can drive the new "fast" Prius, with the AC on (decently), in horrifically hot weather, in stop-and-go urban traffic, and get 65 MPGs.

And my car is far from broken in yet. Tire pressure is 39/38. The G5 has hypermiling potential fo sho, if.... you can keep off the gas. It ain't easy...

Oh, and during this test, I kept the bar at the red arrow while accelerating. Once I reached a few miles above the speed limit, I lifted off and glided trying to keep the bar at or below the blue/green arrow.

 

Some results from my "EV mode button" testing:

It appears that it is helping to keep the ICE off better than the G4 in situations that might need more accelerator pressure, but won't exceed 20 mph. For example: driving up steep ramps in parking garages. You need at least a fairly strong 3 bars for the EV button to work. If you're at "low" 3 bars, you'll get denied access.

And today, I discovered another use for the button. I've noticed in my G5, that the ICE wants to kick on quickly when driving for the first time of the day. I can have 5 bars and it will still happen very shortly with almost no acceleration. This didn't happen in my G4 unless it was cold out. I'm guessing this is programmed into the G5's routine.

Well, if you hit the EV button, this won't happen. And that's very important because, you NEVER want the ICE running when you are stopped or creeping slowly. It will absolutely hammer your fuel economy. So being able to delay your ICE from starting until you pull out onto a road that will allow full acceleration to gliding speed is a BIG benefit.

 

Not a bad problem to have.

I've hit 90% EV driving ratio on some multi-mile jaunts before!

 

I believe the lying has stopped, or at least been greatly minimized in the G5's. My last fill-up had the gauge showing slightly pessimistic! How's that for a change! Never saw that in the 2019.

 

I'm starting to reconsider where the best place to hold the accelerator on the Eco guide is at.

I used to take it to the top of the Eco zone, but I did some testing tonight and got what looked to be superior MPG numbers accelerating at a slower pace.

Accelerating at the top of the Eco zone will keep you up with pretty fast traffic. The G5 has a lot more power. I'm thinking if nobody is behind you, and you aren't in a hurry, accelerating slower than max Eco may have fuel economy benefits.

This is exciting!

 

You must have not seen my posts where I share my trips to the "twisty track".

Trust me brother, I've put this baby through the paces. But the car is multidimensional - first and foremost, a fuel sipper. Why not see what she can do?



I'm earning my "fun points". Let's see your scorecard!

 

Wow. That's unfortunate. I don't get a lot of that here in Kansas. Stressed people drive in stressful ways.

I wonder if the top of the Eco range in EV mode on the G5 Prime is the same acceleration curve as the G5 LE, 0-40, 50, 60.

I smell another experiment! This car is fun!

I don't have a performance gauge so I'll use a stopwatch on my phone and report back hitting "lap" at 30, 40, 50, etc.

 

I'll look into it. This is an app?