Which is more efficient way of accelerating?

[GreenBox]

At least for me (living in a mostly flat area), the best efficiency isn't the acceleration part. I've tried going electric-only for the first 25mph or just driving normally (and the engine turns on immediately). It doesn't seem to matter much.

I think it matters more about cruising at a steady speed.

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[HeyBales]

I know the engine needs to run for it to generate heat as it's not like a EV with heat pump. But I thought the car would automatically turn on the engine to heat up the cabin like when you start it from the app. I'll ask her to make sure the temperature is set higher next time.

Not higher - set to HI.

That is required for the ceramic heaters to be possible to use.
It will also turn the ICE on for the extra power required to run them.

If the heat is enabled, and somewhat fan speed - it will have a higher lower limit, so instead of that coolant 120 F minimum, it'll go down to 127 F, then turn on ICE until it's up to 135 say.
That lower/upper range increases as your temp differential between ambient & cabin selection increases.
I've noted 135 min and 147 max during very cold.
And because so cold - it also didn't feel really warm at the time, like still freezing from coming in shoveling.

 

[HeyBales]

Guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

If you have some hills available to you - it's very interesting to watch the instant MPG - which is actually pretty accurate because it knows the exact fuel used and distance traveled, on different slopes or speeds. Especially matters at highway speeds.

As mentioned - the correct RPM range for ICE efficiency, which also means correct eCVT gearing range - makes for some incredible MPG on hills that seems unbelievable.

Just did a trip from KC Metro to Arkansas Ozarks - so pretty flat down to Clinton until approaching Springfield, MO.
Right around 30 MPG.
Start throwing in the hills getting closer and after Springfield - 35 MPG, because the RPM was going up when I needed to go up to an efficient range, and despite speed too fast on the slight downs for just EV use, ICE power barely needed.
Even the steeper hills were still at 32 MPG - until the steepest approaching Branson, those finally got down to 20 MPG.

Part of the reason is because the traction motor torque starts getting thrown in there for assist, but also the RPM band for the ICE. I could distractedly watch the scanner data for RPM and see right when it crossed from less efficient, to most MPG, to less efficient again, on some of the varying sloped hills. Very interesting.

And despite same highway 70 MPH thru that whole area - still 35 MPG. Better than the flat highway constant travel getting there.

And that's why my normal driving routes with city to highway speeds only sees me at 40 MPG on good weeks - too flat.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Right @HeyBales

I'm not and you're not saying anyone gets MORE recharge on the way downhill than fuel spent on the uphill.

No one is saying hills generate a free lunch.

What I am saying is:
If the Maverick buys a sandwich, driving on only flat, it throws away the bread.

Driving over hills, it keeps the bread on the sandwich for lunch.

In hills it utilizes more of what you paid for.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I think hills boost MPG in a hybrid because with the right kinds of hills, hill driving mimics the city drive cycle in a lot of ways.

 

[Maverick Country Club]

When I get 70mpg driving my Honda Insight Hybrid I would be sure to strategically wait for the downslope to accelerate to speed when the opportunity was available.

 

[Naranjita]

I think hills boost MPG in a hybrid because with the right kinds of hills, hill driving mimics the city drive cycle in a lot of ways.

I'm only 5 weeks into my Hybrid. Came from an EcoBoost. But in the hills I have around my area of Western Washington, I have been shocked to see higher MPG's and more electric miles on hilly routes than flat. Now, in high mountain passes, that climb is killer. But in rolling hills, I use much less fuel than in flat out road.

In flat out road, I use my battery up and have to wait longer for meaningful regen opportunities. In rolling hills, my battery is always charged up ready to give me max juice because of regen going downhill and ICE motor charge ups going up hill.

It blew my mind coming from an EB. In hilly routes where I might drop below 20MPG with the EB because the Turbo was always lighting up, I'm getting over 50 MPG with the Hybrid. Even my 70 MPH trips on I-5 are getting me 40 MPG because it's rolling terrain. And I have an AWD. I almost exclusively use Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Centering in ECO mode. Just let the truck optimize itself.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

When I get 70mpg driving my Honda Insight Hybrid I would be sure to strategically wait for the downslope to accelerate to speed when the opportunity was available.

CVT or MT?

I used to have a MT. Got me 80 MPG tanks sometimes. 100 MPG possible.

Whole car weighed 1850 lbs I think.

Done right, that car could drive Mexico to Canada on one tank of gas.

 

[Maverick Country Club]

CVT or MT?
I used to have a MT. Got me 80 MPG tanks sometimes. 100 MPG possible.
Whole car weighed 1850 lbs I think.
Done right, that car could drive Mexico to Canada on one tank of gas.

I have two MT runners and one CVT to cannibalize. All aluminum and plastic with magnesium oil pan. Super fun to drive!!!

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

I have two MT runners and one CVT to cannibalize. All aluminum and plastic with magnesium oil pan. Super fun to drive!!!

MIMA?

MIMA helped me nurse my stock battery for two decades.

Nice thing of Gen1 Insights: two starters.
Could start with High Voltage or Low Voltage. Also, has there been any other manual transmission hybrids since?

Fun car, yes.

 

[Waterick]

I live in a rural area about ten miles from the nearest town and drive often when even the rural traffic is light. How I accellerate for the best mileage depends on the road and the traffic. I will not hold up traffic for MPG. If no traffic and a level road starting out, I will start off slowly if road ahead is soon to go downhill. This will recharge the HVB I just depleted. Otherwise, I get up to speed and do my pulse and glide, keeping the system in EV mode as much as I can staying within the speed criteria I desire. Rolling hills help this even more: build a little extra speed going down hill (feather your throttle to reduce the Regen), let it drop slightly below your desired range going up. Surprising MPG results.

 

[Ryom]

Guess we’ll have to agree to disagree.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...at-mpgs-in-hybrid-maverick.13835/post-1225461

For the general topic:

Overall, if you're on a low speed flat street, keep it in EV mode to get up to speed. But if you're not, just get up to speed on ICE like any other vehicle, then let off the throttle and back on to kick it into EV mode. Don't try to climb hills in EV mode, save the battery for coasting... the ICE will be in its efficiency power-band while under load climbing hills.

 

[MikeS1942]

I noticed this. Some days traffic is going fast so I need fast acceleration when light turns green. I noticed I got better mpg compared to when Im just doing slow acceleration until cruising speed.

Sure there are days when no one is on the road and I can get to 50mpg. However on the next drive the battery is depleted and it starts the engine as soon as I apply tiny bit of throttle.

That's how it's supposed to work!⁹

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