Strange consumption readings during warm-up

If you let off the throttle and the guage peaks at 100 mpg, do you see the Hybrid System Indicator shutting off the motor? It could be just a temporary shutoff. I've seen that happen during my commute, but not during warm-up.

I've observed something different during warm-up. When I first turn on the car in the morning or leaving work, the ICE comes on and for the whole warm-up period (about the same 4 mins you mention) the ICE is on and the mpg meter is pegged at the bottom. This also takes a toll on my "Cons MPG" number.

Is there a "best practice" for warm-up and optimal driving pattern for FE during warm-up periods?

 

Best practice for warm up is to drive without heavy acceleration. The ICE doesn't develop a lot of power during initial warm up, so heavy acceleration pulls energy from the battery, which must be replaced at a later time and greater cost.

Tom

 

Just drive gently for the first few minutes. In my morning and evening commutes I just take it easy getting out of the neighborhood, and by the time I hit the on-ramp to the interstate it's all warmed up.

 

Thanks, do you both also notice that the instant mpg is pegged low even on easy driving?

For example, I park on the 5th level of a parking garage. When I leave work about 2-3 minutes of warm up are very minimal acceleration and downhill. However, my mpg is pegged at the bottom the whole time.

 

During warmup it's difficult to get the instant mpg even a third up the scale.

 

Yes, as fuel is being burned to heat the engine and emission control system.

Tom