Finally, a 70+ Tank!

After only four years, I finally finished a tank at 71.2 MPG!!

Pardon me while I get a little emoticon self-gratification:

:high5: :clap2: eace: :rockon: :cheer2: :thumb: :heh: :flypig: :hat: :madgrin: :yo: :hail: :usa2: :caked: :shocked: :first: :lock1: :nerd: :whoo: :brushteeth: :roll:
​

I took a picture but it's on another computer. I'll post it tomorrow.
For now, you can check the chart in my signature.

 

Here's the pic. I took this when I arrived at work, ran in, grabbed the company's digital camera, then went to the gas station. That's why the picture says 697 but the final was just over 700. I was actually hoping for some favorable driving to get it up to 71.3 but it didn't happen.

 

What do I do? First of all, I follow my own advice:

• Anticipatory driving. Watch traffic in front of you, time stoplights, etc.
• I brake only when needed (anticipatory driving takes care of this for me). One day it occurred to me that on average I turn right at ~18mph and turn left at ~21mph. If I roll slowing down to that speed I can turn safely without using my brakes. This gives me the glide (or regen) leading up to the turn, the lack of braking, and the momentum coming out of it.
• Protect the Pack! I used to stealth as much as possible. The problem with that is that it drains the hybrid battery pack. I have found (as others have reported) that when the pack is above 1/2 charge you will get higher mileage when using the ICE whether maintaining 42+mph or when accelerating. So I have changed my mentality from thinking high mileage comes from stealthing to realizing that running the engine charges the pack which gives me better mileage.
• Stop trying. I have found that when I'm not paying attention, I get surprised with the mileage. On the other hand, near the end of a really good tank, my 5-minute segments will be surprisingly low. No matter what I try I can't get them up. The reason - I believe - is that I'm trying too hard. As John says, "just drive it."

Also, I have intentional trade-offs that I realize not everyone would be willing to live with or even tolerate. I fully admit these and claim them as personal choice.

• There is a very straight, main thoroughfair that could take me from home to work and back (23 miles) in roughly 40 minutes. This route has two lanes in both directions. It also has dozens of stop lights, gets congested, and requires acceleration from 0 - 40 frequently. I have chosen to not travel that route. Instead, I arrive to work about an hour after I leave home. I take the slower route with lower speeds and fewer stoplights.
• I rarely use my air conditioning. It has to be pretty hot for me to turn it on and even then it's at the highest setting. Of course, the battery needs to be kept cool so I consider that. Mostly, I crack the windows about an inch except when at stops or creeping when I roll them all the way down for total air exchange.
• My grill is blocked. When temps exceed 70ºF I remove one. At 80º I remove two and at 90º+ three. When temps move between those limits night/day I adjust before getting in the car. This means that in the morning I might be putting one in and removing it in the evening.
• My tires are overinflated to 52/50 and diligently monitored.

Mods?

• EV switch I know better than to use much.
• No ScanGauge or external monitoring equipment.