For Hybrid Drivers, Every Trip Is a Race for Fuel Efficiency

Haha They put Tony in that article. He's one of those nutty hypermilers.

 

Nice read ....... thanX for posting!

... Brad

 

A common inaccuracy is calling it fuel efficiency when what is actually meant is fuel economy. Getting more miles out of a gallon of gas is not more efficient, it's more economic. So common that even the Washington Post makes that mistake.

 

Since Toyota has already developed the computer chip that synchronizes data from the speedometer, throttle, and a clock, it shouldn't cost too much to install such systems in all ICE vehicles Toyota sells. Even if it is an option that costs $300. They could hook it up to a smaller LCD screen. I think with high gas prices, a lot of people with ICEs wish they had such a readout. Maybe this could be an entrepreneurial after market opportunity.

"For a long time," he said, "we have known that people will change their habits if they are exposed to feedback in real time." ...Very true.

Have you ever ridden a bicycle uphill? Does it consume a lot of energy? I have been riding bikes my whole life, I know the stresses of hills, and whenever I am in my ICE, I always downshift and raise the rpms. Today, I try to avoid hills if I can.

"When Lee Peterson's wife wanted to borrow his Prius, he barked "No." His wife was baffled. He said: "You're gonna screw up my mileage." Haha! It's like a VIDEO GAME!
"battle with one another... tracks his mpg for every tank, then posts his results online to a Prius chat group." Hahahahaha! Lol. A Prius chat group?
"A recent tank finished on April 28 got 66.9 mpg ... The tank lasted 14 days." NICE!

"People get mad driving behind you," Peterson said. "They think, 'There's the geek.' "
But that's fine with him: Gas is topping $4 a gallon, and he's getting double the mileage they get." Just remember: At 1500miles/month a Tahoe/Expedition costs $460, yet a Prius costs $125 or LESS! Difference of $335/mo, or $4020 per year. In the long run, you will be living in the house one notch up the hill that looks down over the tailgater's house.

 

I'm not sure if this is what you had in mind, but my '04 Toyota Sienna has an overhead display with several "modes." The most common mode shows the compass heading and outside temperature, but among the other modes is one that shows the "instant" gas mileage from 0 to 99.

This is a very small display located above the rear view mirror - not nearly as nice nor as in-your-face as the Prius MFD. But it is possible to see more-or-less real-time gas mileage. And along with adopting the Prius driving tactics of smooth breaking, gradual acceleration, and gliding as well as common-sense practices like maintaining proper tire air pressure, when I drive our Sienna, I also take a look at the instant mileage from time to time.

Since getting our Prius, the average gas mileage I get with the Sienna has gone up 2-3 mile per gallon.

 

Huh. And here I've been using my Prius to go to the freakin' supermarket to get my freakin' groceries.

 

its nice to see that (now that Prius is pretty much a mainstream vehicle) that even the press has accepted it and starting writing positive, accurate articles... definitely a change in tone from a few years ago

 

Really?

I'd have thought that efficiency would refer to a ratio between useful energy (indicated by miles traveled) and total energy from an energy source (indicated by fuel used).

I'd have thought that economy would refer to a ratio between something needed or desired (indicated by miles traveled) and total financial cost to obtain it (indicated by dollars spent).

That would make miles per gallon an indication of fuel efficiency and miles per dollar an indication of fuel economy.

You could drive more economically by finding a cheaper place to buy your gasoline, but this wouldn't necessarily result in driving more efficiently.

 

"Since Toyota has already developed the computer chip that synchronizes data from the speedometer, throttle, and a clock, it shouldn't cost too much to install such systems in all ICE vehicles Toyota sells. Even if it is an option that costs $300. They could hook it up to a smaller LCD screen. I think with high gas prices, a lot of people with ICEs wish they had such a readout. Maybe this could be an entrepreneurial after market opportunity."

Scan gauge will do it all for ~$100. I have one in our Subaru and it does modify our driving in that car as well.

ICaru

 

No kidding. They really must put the hammer down everytime they drive their Prius.

 

Have you ever tried to drive in DC? The stoplights are timed to ensure you have to stop at every one.

 

Sounds just like Chicago. Especially in downtown during rush hour where everyone blocks the intersections and it comes to a deadlock.

But not today, I took my bicycle to work since the wife has to work late so I don't have a ride home. I didn't want to take the motorcycle on such a beautiful day. But I'm looking forward to a great 30 mile commute tonight along the Lake Shore.

Talking about bicycles, with the rear seats folded down the Prius fits my road bike perfectly with the hatch closed.

 

actually... my 94 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (years ago.... serious POS) had a real time mpg display also...