Going home for Xmas... 2,761 km's (each way)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Agape, Dec 2, 2011.

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  1. Agape

    Agape Member

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    We decided and booked our ferries (Stenaline) from Ireland to UK and from UK via EUROTUNNEL to France, then through, Belgium, Germany to Poland.​

    It's a 2,761 kilometers trip each way in winter ( I got my winter tyres (Kleber's KrispAlp 1955516's).​

    What do you think guys? :rockon:​

     
    #1 Agape, Dec 2, 2011
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  2. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Wow, that's a hell of a road trip. Make sure you've filled with some really good quality oil (maybe M1 0W30). It will be interesting to see what the MPG and fuel costs are like for the trip. Are fuel prices in Germany and Poland higher than the UK or about the same?
     
    #2 uart, Dec 2, 2011
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wow, that should be a fun trip! Enjoy!
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Dec 2, 2011
  4. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    That's awesome. Lots of pictures please.
     
    #4 edthefox5, Dec 2, 2011
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    And they say you can't drive long distances in Europe. ;)
     
    #5 David Beale, Dec 3, 2011
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  6. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Enjoy the ride!
     
    #6 RRxing, Dec 4, 2011
  7. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Why?

    Just get an EasyJet or RyanAir flight for £60/€90 return?


    Saying that, it'll be a great trip and a good experience if you have the time. One route I'd like to do would be to get the ferry from Newcastle over to Norway or Sweden and drive over the Oresund Bridge (longest road bridge in Europe) to Denmark. It wouldn't be much further for you and would be quite fun. You could always come back via Eurotunnel - which is an experience too.

    Øresund Bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurotunnel]Eurotunnel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
     
    #7 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 4, 2011
  8. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Thanks All,

    Will certainly try and take/post pictures. My wife is going with me and we have already collected the Irish passport for our dog, requirement when crossing to continent.

    I am looking forward for this trip, we will try to visit our friends in Reading (UK) and then we will be heading down to the south of Poland where I still have my relatives.

    Ryanair fares would cost about €771.78 (without the bags/ just the hand luggage) for Xmas. The CEO of ryanair airlines knows well that most of Poles loves to visit Poland for Xmas and therefore airline made a 900% fare increase for the late December/ January. Two hour flight in winter isn't much of fun (it may not even take off as it happened last winter), while driving across old continent might be sort of fun :).

    Fuel prices (per liter, sourced online):

    UK(GBP £):

    Unleaded
    £1.326p (Avg)
    £1.287p (Min)
    £1.449p (Max)

    €1.618 (Avg in Euros)

    Germany(Euro €):

    €1.541 (Avg)

    Poland(PLN):
    €1.204 (Avg)
     
    #8 Agape, Dec 6, 2011
  9. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Ok so the fuel price will probably only be about 220 euro each way, plus I'm sure there will be a few tolls etc. Overall sounds cheaper than the alternative, as long as you enjoy the drive. The bonus of taking your own car of course is that you've got it to use once you get there.

    I'd be looking to take that trip over at least four days each way, what time frame are you thinking?
     
    #9 uart, Dec 6, 2011
  10. Agape

    Agape Member

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    We have not decided on timing as yet, possibly 2-3 days.

    Regarding the costs, our friend have committed to go with us and to share fuel costs this will make it even better.

    I will post some more details when closer to the date.. keep you excited as I am.

    Øresund trip sounds like fun during the summer...
     
    #10 Agape, Dec 6, 2011
  11. 650Ginge

    650Ginge Junior Member

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    Thats a trip a lot of Irish people will be making next summer.

    We have done two long trips in our 06 since we got it in Feb, one from Meath to the Black Forest and the second to Marseille.

    Have you cruise? Makes motorway driving a piece of p1ss. Sorry to rub it in if you haven't.

    Long extend stints at 130k/ph do hammer the overall economy but probably no more or less than a regular car.

    Good luck with your trip and I hope you get good weather. The Autobahn is frightening in the snow as I experience a few years ago in a hired VW Polo.
     
    #11 650Ginge, Dec 6, 2011
  12. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Hi uart,

    I have contacted Toyota Ireland. Was told that the lowest recommended oil type for Prius in Ireland would be 0W30 (same as you suggested).

    I did use 5W30 so far and had no problems.
    Hoping to switch before the trip to 0W30.

    However the confusion is when it comes to what type of OW30, here are some examples to what is available online:
    ***
    Castrol
    Typical Characteristics
    Name Method Units Castrol EDGE 0W-30 A5/B5
    Density @ 15°C, Relative ASTM D4052 g/ml 0.8437
    Viscosity, Kinematic 100°C ASTM D445 mm² /s 9.8
    Viscosity, CCS -35°C ASTM D5293 mPa.s (cP) 5950
    Viscosity, Kinematic 40°C ASTM D445 mm² /s 56
    Viscosity Index ASTM D2270 None 160
    Ash, Sulphated ASTM D874 % wt 1.12
    Pour Point ASTM D97 °C -54
    Flash Point, PMCC ASTM D93 °C 213
    Product Performance Claims
    ACEA A1/B1, A5/B5
    ***
    ***
    Castrol
    Typical Characteristics
    Name Method Units Castrol EDGE 0W-30 C2, C3
    Density @ 15°C, Relative ASTM D4052 g/ml 0.838
    Viscosity, Kinematic 100°C ASTM D445 mm² /s 12.3
    Viscosity, CCS -35°C ASTM D5293 mPa.s (cP) 5900
    Viscosity, Kinematic 40°C ASTM D445 mm² /s 71
    Viscosity Index ASTM D2270 None 170
    Ash, Sulphated ASTM D874 % wt 0.7
    Pour Point ASTM D97 °C -57
    Flash Point, PMCC ASTM D93 °C 238
    Product Performance Claims
    ACEA C2, C3
    API SM/CF
    BMW Longlife-04
    MB-Approval 229.31/ 229.51
    VW 502 00/ 505 0
    ***
    ***
    MOTUL
    PROPERTIES
    Viscosity grade SAE J 300 Motul 0W-30
    Density at 20°C (68°F) ASTM D1298 0.839
    Viscosity at 40°C (104°F) ASTM D445 40.3 mm²/s
    Viscosity at 100°C (212°F) ASTM D445 9.6 mm²/s
    HTHS viscosity at 150°C (302°F) ASTM D4741 2.87 mPa.s
    Viscosity index ASTM D2270 235
    Pour point ASTM D97 -45°C / -49°F
    Flash point ASTM D92 226°C / 438.8°F
    Sulfated ash ASTM D874 0.78% weight
    TBN ASTM D2896 7.4 mg KOH/
    ***

    References:
    http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/castrol/Castrol-edge-0w-30-fst.pdf
    http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/castrol/castrol-edge-0w-30-fst-a5b5.pdf
    http://www.opieoils.co.uk/pdfs/motul/8100_Eco-clean_0W-30_(GB).pdf
    & link to purchase site:
    http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-402-motul-engine-oil.aspx#Filter=[EntityIDs=@(50)@*ava=0]

    Not sure why castrols have different grades: A5/B5 and C2, C3

    Agape
     
    #12 Agape, Dec 9, 2011
  13. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Yes, we have cruise control in our prius.
    Hope to use it a lot on this trip. Is there a proof of overall fuel economy loss ?
     
    #13 Agape, Dec 9, 2011
  14. 650Ginge

    650Ginge Junior Member

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    I think cruise control does not give a good an economy if there is hills or inclines.

    Driving on the motorway at 130kph will increase the fuel consumption, the faster you go the more fuel it uses but probably worth it on such a long trip.
     
    #14 650Ginge, Dec 9, 2011
  15. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I agree with this. In undulating terrain you get better fuel economy by attempting to even out the engine power variations. This means allowing the speed to drop a bit on the inclines and rise a bit on the declines.

    Re the speed versus fuel consumption, yes there's just no avoiding it. The aero drag forces increase with the square of speed and as Scotty would say, "you can-na change the laws of nature Jim".

    Just as a very rough guide, it would typically go something like 55 plus MPG at 80 km/h, 50 MPG at 100 km/hr and 40 MPG or less at 120 km/hr. (Those are US MPG btw, and only a rough guide).
     
    #15 uart, Dec 9, 2011
  16. Agape

    Agape Member

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    Great, thanks...

    Would such grill block cause any harm (considering the distance and speeds):

    It's made of 1mm modelling plastic board.
     

    Attached Files:

    #16 Agape, Dec 11, 2011
  17. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    It sounds like a fun trip,
    "Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go!"

    [​IMG]

    The lower grill block could provide a +2% FE improvement. The FE
    improvement has two origins:
    * helps keep coolant temps up
    * blocks excess air from getting in the engine compartment. It exits
    either under the car or through the front wheel wells. In both cases, the
    exiting air further muddles up the already less than perfect airflow
    under the car, or just aft of the front wheel.

    While you're at it. why not block the upper grill too. Most folks use
    lengths of foam pipe insulation... very cheap, very effective too.

    As to engine temps, I monitor mine with a ScanGuage. At the speeds
    and temps you will be seeing, I would expect coolant temps in the
    185-195 degF when underway... not a problem. Coolant temps will rise
    5-10 degF right after you stop moving; fuel/comfort breaks/whatever...
    still not a problem.

    Have fun, and think safety first; no boozin', no snoozin'. :rockon:

    [​IMG]

    :nono:
     
    #17 Rokeby, Dec 11, 2011
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  18. Agape

    Agape Member

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    :) I don't have ScanGuage, it's bit late to order bluetooth (the one to pair with Torque application on my android handheld phone)

    I worry that if snow build up on the front it will completely block the airflow, thus I have not blocked upper grill as I have currently no way to monitor the coolant temps. The lower block is not that visible as it's clear plastic cut to three pieces and connected with metal wires, for the past 4 months no problem using this technique (temps 4C to 16C)
     
    #18 Agape, Dec 11, 2011
  19. Rokeby

    Rokeby Member

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    My earlier post was/is meant to encourage you to go with the grill block.
    I mentioned the SG with ref to coolant temps, to add assurance that my
    saying there should be no problems has some basis in factual
    experience.

    Most of us that grill block use the plastic foam pipe insulation, and
    we're trying to stop virtually all air from entering the engine bbay via
    the grill. A particularly clean installation:

    [​IMG]

    I don't foresee any problems from snow packing in around the edges of
    your flattish block. There will be lots of cold air swirling around in the
    engine bay -- and the oil sump for that matter -- from the open
    bottom. If you are concerned about high temps, leave a 3 in. by 4 in.
    opening on the drivers side where the DC-to-DC converter coolant
    circulates through the lower radiator; a little bigger than the one
    visible in the picture.

    Again, best wishes for success on your adventure.

    (You know, of course, that we're expecting a full report with pictures
    when you get back. ;) )
     
    #19 Rokeby, Dec 11, 2011
  20. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I just noticed that temperatures at present in Europe are not that cold yet it's about 0°C to 5°C and based on the this article A Hybrid Owner’s winter survival guide - CleanMPG Forums
    I intend to retain lower grill block as it is at present and I may add one line of the insulation pipe to upper part of the upper grill to still retain lower part of the upper grill opened to allow cold air into the radiator.

    My trip will be mostly 120km/h (less/more depending on the road sings in Europe) continiously and I am worry that at temperatures 0°C to 5°C it may be too Hot to fully block both upper and lower grills.
     
    #20 Agape, Dec 15, 2011
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