Optimal way to drive for highest MPG?

[TG22]

As a smith system trainer I have found successful mpg, longevity and overall more pleasant driving experience following these five keys..

Aim high in steering - looking atleast 15 seconds ahead will give you forknowledge of events to where you will be able to minimize brake/acceleration between lights and simply coast saving wear and tear as well as maximizing gas mileage

Get the big picture - by aiming high you can maintain a greater scope of your surroundings from looking further ahead you will be able to see everything from beyond back to your focus (think of an eagle in the air as opposed to a turtle on the ground.. the eagle has a much greater vantage point)

Keep your eyes moving - to get and maintain the big picture utilize your mirrors by keeping your eyes moving every 3 seconds you also avoid blank stares and tunnel vision. You will stay aware in the moment and act (not react) accordingly.

Leave yourself an out - maintain a cushion at all times as much as possible ( dont become part of the pack) by utilizing the first 3 keys, time will be ample to make a decision; rather than force a reaction..

Make sure they see you - in conjunction with the other keys utilize, turn signals, horn, lights, hand signals to keep the other drivers informed.

Staying within the guidelines of these steps and practicing daily you will see an increase in mpg as well as decrease on wear and tear..

it can be a pain in the ass adjusting.. I know ..but if thats really your goal these steps are surefire in achieving.

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[bomberxl]

Where can you see how much charge you have?

It's the length of the bar in the hybrid trainer

 

[clavicus]

It's the length of the bar in the hybrid trainer

Eh? The ev coach screen? I don’t remember that showing the actual battery state of charge. Nothing does, as far as I know, unless I missed it.

 

[Sylvester]

It's the length of the bar in the hybrid trainer

The length of the bar is not a constant thing. It changes based on how I brake or drive downhill. I don't think it is an indicator for the actual total charge. It is more an indicator for the maximal charge you can get during the current charging process (either braking or rolling).

 

[huunvubu]

My mpg is varying a lot in the city (28-48 mpg)

The MPG will vary because there will be times when the ICE engine needs to run to recharge the HV battery.

Example: I leave a Taco Bell to go to Tom Thumb to shop. It is 0.3 miles and can be done on all Electric Mode but sometimes the ICE engine will run even though the trip should be all electric. That is because the HV battery is low and needs recharging.

 

[huunvubu]

Avoid short trips (warm up penalty is real and has a huge affect).

Short trips are actually where the Hybrid shines and are not to be avoided. On many of them I can drive in all Electric Mode so infinite MPG's. On others 2/3 can be all electric and MPG's are > 50 MPG.

Example: I leave a Taco Bell to go to Tom Thumb to shop. It is 0.3 miles and can be done on all Electric Mode.

 

[Larrythelunatic]

Short trips are actually where the Hybrid shines and not avoided. On many of them I can drive in all Electric Mode so infinite MPG's. On others 2/3 can be all electric and MPG's are > 50 MPG.

Example: I leave a Taco Bell to go to Tom Thumb to shop. It is 0.3 miles and can be done on all Electric Mode.

One great way to save $4-$5 gas………
If it’s only .3 miles……..walk it!

 

[huunvubu]

I haven't really used ECO mode.

ECO mode really helps in regenerative braking as when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal it ups the regenerative power and slows the truck faster. Doing this will give you a 100% braking report almost all the time.

ECO mode also tries to keep you in Electric only mode longer.

Short, cold trips will kill you though. I've had a couple 1 mile 18mpg trips.

It is not short trips that cause the low MPG's but the asking for cabin HEAT that only the ICE engine can provide.

On the exact same short trips if I have the climate control on asking for heat the ICE engine runs trying to heat the cabin and the result is very low MPG's but if I have the climate control off on the same trip I get very high MPG numbers.

So on short trips I just leave the climate control off.

 

[clavicus]

Short trips are actually where the Hybrid shines and not avoided. On many of them I can drive in all Electric Mode so infinite MPG's. On others 2/3 can be all electric and MPG's are > 50 MPG.

Example: I leave a Taco Bell to go to Tom Thumb to shop. It is 0.3 miles and can be done on all Electric Mode.

I don’t think that’s an absolute statement it really depends. My 5 minute commute to work in the morning is around 20-25mpg. Even today when it’s 60F.

I can make it home using over half the distance on the parking lot style “all electric” mode, but once that cold ICE kicks I’m at low 30’s by the time I reach my driveway 2 minutes later.

I almost never use cabin heat but I do warm that booty.

Here is right when the ICE kicks on just for fun

And here is 3 seconds later. Goes down fast

I’m looking forward to warmer temperatures to really see what I can get out of the hybrid. My 600mi average is around 34 mpg, ticking up now that I’m done with all my testing and idling after getting it. My computer estimates seem very close to reality at least after my first fuelup.

 

[huunvubu]

One great way to save $4-$5 gas………
If it’s only .3 miles……..walk it!

No way am I walking across a busy 6-lane road with no crosswalk or signal light only to buy a bunch of groceries and then try to cross the same busy 6-lane road with those heavy grocery bags in 35 degree rainy weather.

I got my Hybrid Maverick so I don't have to walk those 0.3 miles yet use no gas doing so.

 

[Fotomoto]

I got my Hybrid Maverick so I don't have to walk those 0.3 miles yet use no gas doing so.

How did one get there? All energy in a (non plug-in) hybrid comes from gas. Those EV miles were supplied by the ICE and if that previous charging operation was with a cold ICE (pun not intended), fuel economy on that short trip will be low till it warms up. If it’s a long(er) trip, then the warm-up penalty is minimized and its effect is diluted in the mpg number.

Hybrid manufactures have been working hard on the cold start penalty with a lot of work-arounds. Nearly twenty years ago, Toyota used a thermos bottle to hold and store hot coolant to get the ICE back up to temp ASAP.

Even short range PHEV’s can avoid the cold-start penalty by going around the problem by simply not starting the ICE on short trips. I’ve found this to be the best solution as the PHEV design works so well in other areas too (better acceleration, greater regen, WAY higher fuel economy, better electric heat, etc) that the warm up benefit is secondary.

FWIW

 

[n0maverick]

In my fusion it gets better gas mileage with the "Eco" setting off. Uses more electric during excelleration but I very good about slow regen braking to make up for it. also does better 50-70 degree weather and under 60 mph.

 

[Vols44]

You definitely want to be smooth.

Some tips:

• Use the Hybrid Trainer
  • You will learn when you can let off and reapply throttle to kick it over to electric
  • This also helps you keep track of how much charge you have
• Maximize regen braking
  • Start slowing down sooner. Use the trainer to find the best brake regen zone. Keep it in the green.
• Knowing your route and where you can coast
• Knowing your traffic conditions
  • In stop and go traffic, I like to stay a little out of sync so I don't come to a complete stop if possible. I've always done this though.
• Terrain is a factor
  • On my way to work I can easily average 50-52 based on the computer, but that same trip home is 60-64.

I prefer to briskly accelerate to my cruising speed then use throttle and terrain to stay there and maximize electric.

I try to not drive under the speed limit. I don't like to speed either.

First tank I averaged 41.5 calculated. I'm currently 3/4 through my second and the computer reads 48.5.

I haven't really used eco mode.

Short, cold trips will kill you though. I've had a couple 1 mile 18mpg trips.

I leave early, drive like it's a Sunday afternoon, let traffic pass me by and laugh when other drivers are complaining their tank's on empty each week.

 

[bomberxl]

The length of the bar is not a constant thing. It changes based on how I brake or drive downhill. I don't think it is an indicator for the actual total charge. It is more an indicator for the maximal charge you can get during the current charging process (either braking or rolling).

Yeah, the manual just defines it as "power". The blue box is related to overall charge to some degree. You can watch it shrink while cruising on electric.

Unfortunately, the only way to get real detailed info is through an obd2 app like Car Scanner on your phone.

ECO mode really helps in regenerative braking as when you lift your foot off the accelerator pedal it ups the regenerative power and slows the truck faster. Doing this will give you a 100% braking report almost all the time.

ECO mode also tries to keep you in Electric only mode longer.



It is not short trips that cause the low MPG's but the asking for cabin HEAT that only the ICE engine can provide.

On the exact same short trips if I have the climate control on asking for heat the ICE engine runs trying to heat the cabin and the result is very low MPG's but if I have the climate control off on the same trip I get very high MPG numbers.

So on short trips I just leave the climate control off.

I should have specified its when the ICE is running for the heater.

I'll give eco mode a shot on my next tank. I didn't notice much difference the few times I tried it.

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