Thursday the 8th would be great. Fiesta mall sounds fine. I don't know how to get our phone #'s to each other but there are some things I would like to talk to you about before we get together and we can settle on a time. Thanks so much. R&J
Actually, we do not have access to phone numbers. The best way would be for larsb and/or hybridhater to edit their profiles to make their email available for members. Then they can exchange numbers via email. They can always switch their email back to private after that.
I was a tad disappointed in my first tank (on a used 2004) getting 37.4. I felt I was driving it well, coasting, limited braking, trying to keep it above 40mpg except when accelerating. I read and read and read last night, inflated tires to 40psi, and made a couple more changes in my driving based on tips read here, and this AM I got 54.1mpg on a trip that I normally get 42 tops. The tires really seem to have made a difference because the cruise control is able to maintain a much higher MPG on a flat road than it was previously. The main driving change I made was accelerating to 25/30mpg initially, and then really really trying to accelarate more slowly after that, keeping the mpg above 40. (I think it was Hot Georgia that taught me this) This was really challenging, with cars behind me, I don't know that I could do it all that often, but I was amazed at the results.
What is a good method for getting on the interstate-- for having to accelerate from say 20/30mph up to 60mph?
Thanks Jujudee! 12MPG gain over your segment is significant! Regarding your question, I've learned not to post particular tips and techniques here but if you google Hot_Georgia_2004 I'd be glad to help you. You are right, we shouldn't be a bother to anyone else. PS I run my Dunlops at their max while cold @51PSI. My dealer even sets them up for me this way with my request. I've not seen any reduction in traction and no abnormal wear but they have a pretty hard ride set up that way.
I have to agree with misteme. I Just bought a Honda Certified Used Civic Hybrid. Initially the mpg sat at 29. As I have been driving it over the past day in an extremely hilly part of western colorado, my mpg have now hit 47.1. The tires are bridgestone inflated to whatever the dealer had them set to. I suspect that as I, as some have said, re lean my driving habits the mpg will continue to increase. In regards to that, when my wife gto home from work we took it on a little 45 mile round trip. As she drove it like she did her older Camry, guess what...mpg dropped from 47.1 to 38.6. Proof that maybe not careful driving, but sensible driving is the key
My rep can stand all on its own when challenged by someone like yourself
Jcrlbr, now all you have to do is teach your wife how to drive the way you do! There are more then a few females that are doing some serious damage to the EPA estimates in their own hybrids and I wouldn’t doubt we actually see one pop to the top of one of the hybrid category’s in the near future
Please use the e-mail in my profile to send me a note so that we may coordinate our test drive for day after tomorrow. I'm ready to get in touch with ya......Drop me a line so we can exchange phone numbers.....
Hey Larsb, Sorry, I tried to figure out how to get to your profile before we went out of town but couldn't. I was going to have Rick do it when he got home but, with all our preparations for the weekend, I forgot. I'll try again right now.
At the outset, let me say I was surprised how "little control" a new driver of a CVT HCH has in regard to manipulating speeds and rpms to maximize MPG. Coming in as a manual tranny HCH owner, I was at a disadvantage, in that a lot of the tricks I use for hypermiling are not usable in the CVT. Evidence has shown that drivers of CVTs *DO* figure it out over time, but if you are a first time CVT driver after coming from a MT, you will have a LOT to learn, and FAST !!!
I met a woman and her husband to help them determine if I thought something was wrong with their car, because they had always experienced "low MPG" and they were concerned because the dealer tells them the car is fine. My job was to evaluate the car and see if I thought something was wrong or not.
My first thing was to check the oil in the car. It was just a smidge below the top level, the last dot, which means it was filled correctly. I forgot to ask them what kind of oil they use - I will ask her and report this here later.
Next was the tires. They had 205/something/17 17" low profile tires with five spoke chrome rims !! (oops !! ) I knew right away that would be a definite problem for them. Those tires and rims are no doubt heavier and are definitely NOT "low rolling resistance" tires. I checked the pressure, and the tires were between 25 and 28 PSI !! They are rated at 44 PSI on the tire.
Their FCD showed 35.2 and 280.1 miles for the Trip A meter. I cleared that, and we left the mall parking lot headed for an air hose.
Right away I could feel the rumble of the tires and I could feel the road being gripped a lot harder through the steering feel. After the first 1/2 mile or so in the Mall lot before we got to a city street, the FCD was about 36. I knew in my car that same route at that speed would have netted about 48. Tires definitely an issue.
We got the tires inflated up to 52 PSI all around and hit the street. It took "TWO" sessions on the air compressor, at 50 cents each, so they already spent a dollar !! We rolled down the windows, no A/C.
The first thing I wanted to do was to try the "pedal feathering" technique that the users here had told me about. I accellerated slowly up to speed (40 mph) or near it and then started feathering. Sure enough, the feather action showed the realtime meter jumping between the 60 and 80 MPG range - a good sign I thought. All the while, I was trying to explain tips to them and learn this trick simultaneously, so my concentration was not what it should/could have been.
They have had the latest ECU update also. Not sure how that affected anything, just wanted to add that info.
So we trudged along, hitting red lights and cruising with cruise control on for some of the time, to compare it to the feathering. On the back trip after the 5 mile turnaround, we closed the windows and used the A/C, and I still got pretty good results with the feathering.
We ended up at 44.6 MPG over 11.2 miles before turning back in to the Mall parking lot, then lost down to 43.9 at 11.8 by the time we got back to my car.
So my conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with the car. But the tires are hurting them, and they like to use the A/C all the time too, so that hurts them also. I gave them a huge printout of hypermiling techniques I had accumulated in a journal, and set them free. Hopefully they learned something, and maybe they can improve over the 34.0 lifetime MPG that car has on the Trip B meter.
With more time in a CVT, I think I could get a lot better. But I SURE DO LOVE my Manual Tranny HCH, and having the control over gears and speeds and RPMs is priceless, in my mind.
That the 2006 HCH does not have a manual tranny version is a crying, awful, terrible shame. :mad:
Anyway, hopefully hybridhater will be reporting improved MPG numbers soon !!!
Thanks for the report! I was waiting with 'bated breath for the outcome.
I suspect that my tires (came with the car) are underinflated, but I nonetheless am getting around 50mpg now, using some of the tips I've picked up here.
Thanks for the reply and thanks for helping Hybridhater out
Hybridhater, now it’s your turn Why didn’t you tell us about the wheel/tire combo as well as the low pressures? If you want to ever see great FE, those 17” Chromed “DUB’s” (as I am going to call them) have got to go. They are killing your HCH in more ways then just your Fuel Economy!
They are killing your HCH in more ways then just your Fuel Economy!
I would imagine they cut your mileage and make for a harsher ride. Isn't that the price you pay for better handling? What other disadvatages do they present? My Passat came with them. I don't believe I would have ordered the car that way. I would guess I could gain a few MPG with less tire on the road. Have you changed tires on your new Accord to get high mileage?
Think of a thoroughbred out on a track. Its sole purpose is to run like the wind day in and day out. Well, maybe week in and week out Anyway, if you train, ride, care for, feed, and comfort it properly, your already pretty good race horse with a proper trainer, proper and lightweight rider, good Horse vet, great stable hand(s), and decent owner, may not win a lot of races but it will be healthy and run to within a few seconds of the fastest horse on the track on any given day. Now take that same horse and place it in a dump of a stable, drop the Vet bills by going to a general vet, throw any old overweight rider on it, feed it whatever is the cheapest, and generally take care of it like crap, what do you think the results will be? It may have had the possibility of being as fast as Secretariat but you will never know because it was abused, mistreated, mishandled, poorly ridden, whatever
The same analogy applies to an HCH, Insight, Prius I or II. They were designed with relatively LRR tires and relatively lightweight aluminum rims. By throwing on 17” Chromed - steel Dub’s, you have ruined its chances to run with the leaders. Next thing you know, it is ready for the glue factory! Hybrid enthusiasts have seen this literally hundreds of times. “I am going to remove the Bridgestone RE92’s from my Prius I or Insight and place some Nokian’s or Blizzak’s on it for better traction and control”. Each and every time I have seen this statement appear, an almost 5 mpg hit or about a 7 - 10% drop in FE occurs. This is just moving from RE92’s to Blizzaks’s let alone a lightweight 14” aluminum wheel to an oversized, overweight, 17” chromed steel and rubber laydened monster. It doesn’t matter if there is an increase in handling or not. If you are cornering the HCH beyond .81 G’s on its stock Dunlop’s or Bridgestone 381’s, you shouldn’t be driving an HCH in the first place!
Back to the horse story If you are going to have a competitive horse, you aren’t going to run him with 20 #’s worth of Horse shoe on each and every hoof!
As far as the Accord is concerned, it cannot come anywhere near the FE that the Insight, HCH, and Prius II can achieve and it was never designed for that. Her 160 horses can take the relatively LRR Michelin’s on somewhat lightweight 16” Alloys to hypermileage without much trouble but she will never achieve what any of those 3 automobiles can achieve/are capable of when setup with their OEM shoes all around I have seen south of 60 mpg in the Accord over a 50 + mile segment but I have surpassed 115 mpg in each of the 3 hybrids listed above and I can assure you that this would not have been possible if any of them were clad with overweight/oversized 17” chromed sneakers and soles
Darn, 3 years already? And to think of all the fun I have had over here
Will the size of the wheel tire combo make much difference if they are all aluminum wheels? I don't imagine they make any LRR tires for the low profile 17" wheels. What LRR tires would be recommended for use on snow and ice for the HCH?
It is the weight of the wheel/tire combo as well as the RR that could kill a hybrid’s FE.
In regards to the winter tires, I do not change them myself so I am only passing on what others have posted in the past I know some Hybrid drivers like the Blizzaks. These individuals also know they are going to take a harsh FE hit
After driving my 2005 5-speed manual transmission for the first 2800 miles with the tires inflated to Honda's recommended 30psi my average mileage has been 51mpg.
With that good number, putting your tires up to 50 PSI would probably gain you 3-5 MPG, or 39-65 more miles per tank of gas, at no extra cost to you.......:D
You might find the following tire pressures and the accompanying Fuel economy detail helpful?
Prius II
62/62 PSI. 98.8 mpg at 77F.
44/42 PSI. 97.4 mpg at 82F.
35/33 PSI. 96.0 mpg at 86F.
I was driving Tbaleno’s CVT based HCH last week w/ a touch under 50 #’s in his Bridgestone’s and received some 50% higher then what you have seen in your own HCH to date. Bring up the pressures and learn the techniques and your HCH will be punching out FE you could have never dreamed was possible too!
I am second to none in my respect for the good work done by Consumers Union and the value of Consumer Reports magazine -- but have you checked out the 10/2005 issue's article on gas mileage? They run their own tests and claim to have clocked the HCH as (ready for this?) 26 mpg city. 26 mpg. I suppose I could get 26 mpg if I drove right up a mountain doing jack-rabbit starts the whole time.
CU has been dissing the Honda Hybrid since the beginning. What do they have against the HCH anyway?
I think they only gave the Prius 35 MPG on their tests. Maybe they are just realistic. It seems most of those buying hybrids get into the hypermiling game early on. Most people don't coast up to the lights. They slam on the brakes at the last minute.
It's probably the way they drive. They only got a 42 average with the Prius. I did an experiment and got 52 mpg with little effort other than restraint to keep my speed below 65. On my current tank, I went back to my old habits of driving 75-80 (to keep UP with traffic) and I am getting a little over 45 right now. I'm quite pleased. What matters most is what YOU get, not what anyone else gets. Enjoy!
I'm seriously wondering if there is a payoff from the oil companies to suppress information about the possibilities of these cars. (Insight, HCH and Prius) which would explain the ridiculously low published MPG figures (26/35)
This is not a political statement, it is a business perspective.
Those MPG figures that are being tossed around came from what many consider a reputable source Consumer Reports. I always considered it a worthless publication. They supposedly tested under real world driving conditions. You cannot consider your mileage real world. You have to work to get those numbers. Most people are not that dedicated to saving gas.
You're right, my numbers are way off what most people get. I've been very dedicated to my training for the last 22 months and been patient with it, and it pays off. 99.9% of people aren't willing to go to the extremes. I can understand that, as few really enjoy it as much as I do.
But at the same time I'd guess 75% people aren't willing to modify habits hardly at all which I think is sad.
I believe falconone's figures are correct for the vast majority.
I have an 03 CIVI Hybrid with CVT and get 55-60 mpg all the time. I drive smarter. A friend has an 04 and only gets 40. He took it back to the dealer 3 times complaining. I drove his and got 63 mpg while showing him how I go a little over the speed I want them let up just enough to make the CVT stay in higher ratio but keep the same speed. I then see the gauge jump to 60-80 mpg and stay there. When stopping a gently use the brake and regen all that power back in the battery. It works great even in the AZ heat I get 55+. Jim
I wish I could contact Hybridhater. I drive a little over the speed I want, then let up a little while staying the same speed and get real high mpg. A friend with an 04 Civic Hybrid only got 40, I drove and showed him how I drive and got 63 mpg. It all in the gentle acceleration and going a little over the spped you wan twith teh CVT. Jim I also live in AZ
I get 60+ mpg in my 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid with CVT transmission. I drive at or 5 mph of speed limits and always watch and anticipate stops so I brake gently helping to recharge. The biggest help is to let up on the accelerator after I get to speed. I seem to stay the same speed but the mpg jumps way up. If I stay in this ZEN mode it's amazing. I've has as high as 74 mpg on a round trip in the city. Many times I get 64-66 mpg. It's a fun way to drive.
I just bought my first Civic Hybrid last night and I'm looking at it as a challenge to get at least 50 mpg consistently.
Where can I go for driving tips to achieve the best gas mileage? Any special things you've all learned that I should be doing?
I have to admit, when I drove it home from the dealership, the feel of it was so different that I seriously considered driving it right back and getting a non-hybrid Civic. I'm sticking with this car though and I plan to get the most out of it. I'm not shrinking away from challange. Heck, when I bought my first stick shift, the salesperson had to test drive it for me and then my husband drove it home and only stalled about 3 times. It took many months to get the hang of it and it eventually became my favorite car of all time. I expect this Civic may replace that car as my favorite.
Msg#155 was a slip, For the first 18,000 miles on my 2006 HCH I was able to average 50MPG using 35psi on all four tires. For the past 1500 miles i've increased it to 40psi on all four. For that period the average has increased to 54MPG.Driving conditions essentially the same. This is based upon careful measurement of the gas pumped not the highly unreliable MPG trip computer. While these results are preliminary they're certainly encouraging.
The stiffer ride that comes with increased pressures is not for everyone but i'll take my chances.
While those are not really revolutionary, if applied will get you the mileage you seek. Your results = the amount applied.
I've done pretty good in my 2004 model HCH CVT. Winter of 2004 averaged around 55MPG Summer 2004 averaged around 62 Winter 2005 averaged around 58 Summer 2005 averaged around 65MPG Sixty five miles per gallon Winter 2006 low 60's Summer 2006 looks like to be about the same as last year.
Many other people have good tips on that linked thread as well.
If you need more dramatic tips & tricks one can google a search on fuel efficiency tips and get tons of results. I can't post them here for forum violation rules.
My longest tank went for 941 miles and 69.2MPG but I used almost every trick in the book (But not drafting) to the extreme that only few are willing/able to do.
I live in Australia and recently purchased an '06 Honda Civic Hybrid. With petrol(gas) now heading over $6.00 a gallon it makes a lot of sense. Achieving 50mpg in heavy city and freeway driving has been relativley easy...providing you drive like you mean it. Accelerate away from the lights easily but steadily. Reach speed and then back off...just enough to maintain speed. Anticipate stops and break early, slowly and softly. This allows the regen to work to the max. It's not hard to get high mpg, but you won't get it if you have a lead foot! And yes...it can go quite quickly if prodded. It's a great car all round.
It's great to hear from someone that far away. You are right it can be done and I just did it. Your right in that you have to keep your foot out of it. No-Lead Foot or the FE drops like a Rock. Sounds like you really like your HCH II and so do I. Have not been sorry about my decision.
I've had my 2006 HCH for about a month now and here are some numbers for you.
I bought my HCH about 97 miles north of where I live in Southern California. On the freeway drive home at about 70MPH I averaged 45.8 MPG. This trip included a severe uphill drive (800ft elevation to 4400ft elevation) followed by a more gradual downhill drive, then Los Angeles freeway traffic.
On my 7 mile commute during "rush hour" to Hollywood, CA. I average 38 MPG. If I "hot rod" it, make that 35 MPG.
One morning, after my first fill up, I decided to to a "Max Effort" fuel economy test commute. I pretended that both the gas pedal and the brake pedal had a raw egg on them and if I pressed either one too hard, it would break the egg.
I drive over a hill on a freeway to get to work so the uphill results were disappointing. I managed to pick up a lot of points on the downhill side. When I got to the gated entry to our parking lot, the MPG meter said that I hit 60.0 MPG. By the time I got to my parking space and backed in, it dropped to 59.8 MPG.
My previous car, a 2002 Honda Accord V6, usually got me about 17 MPG in the same commute, and about 30 MPG on the open highway. I think that measures of improvement ought to be based on "where you've come from".
For me, this whole thing is not about saving a bit of money on fuel, it's about responsibility. I really enjoy not being a part of the problem. Buying a fuel efficient/low emission vehicle is not a financially beneficial personal solution, it's about making a statement.
"Los Angeles is one of the "Smog Capitals" of the world." I'm no longer a significant contributor to that problem.
"The US is too dependant on foreign oil." I'm no longer a significant contributor to that problem.
One cute anecdote to close. On my walk back to work from lunch the other day, I spotted an H2 Hummer parked on the street. The California personalized license read, "7 MPG". I was amazed by the Macho mentality that this represented. It would be interesting to talk to the owner when gas hits $10/gallon.
The California personalized license read, "7 MPG".
He is just letting the world know he is paying his fair share of the road taxes. CA roads need the work for sure. With everyone driving a hybrid not enough money goes into the fund to maintain the roads.
The best I have gotten with my 2003 stick hybrid has been 852 miles on a tank and when I filled up, it took 14 gallons. I have put 15.5 in it once before and the car was still running.
I live in the Appalachians of SW Virginia, and driving both 'in town' and out on the road I've been averaging probably around 43 mpg since January. Not as good as I'd hoped, but better than the 33-35 my old Civic got. My car is an '03 five-speed. On one trip to south Georgia I did average over 50 mpg, but that's the best I've been able to get. I have some concerns about tires and how they affect mileage (I'm going to post about that here in a minute).
Re that H2 bumper sticker - I can top that one. I was driving to DC (north along I-81 in the Shennandoah Valley - redneck central) when I was passed by a HUGE black pickup trick with a sticker on the back that read "Kick their [non-permissible content removed], take their gas". Great. What a great world we live in.... And Americans wonder why the rest of the world hates us?
Me and My wife just bought the new hch with nav. On the first tank we got 478 miles on the first tank of gas. The mpg came up to 44.3 miles per gallon. My wife is a registered nurse so she drive about 50 miles per day. I thought this was great for the first time. You really have learn how to drive this car in order to get the mileage that you might expect. If you have a light foot you should get good gas mileage.
Comments
our phone #'s to each other but there are some things I would like to talk to you
about before we get together and we can settle on a time. Thanks so much. R&J
I wanted to talk to Railroad James a few months ago and they contacted him via email to see if it was OK with him.
It took a few days for it all to work out though.
What is a good method for getting on the interstate-- for having to accelerate from say 20/30mph up to 60mph?
Regarding your question,
I've learned not to post particular tips and techniques here but if you google Hot_Georgia_2004 I'd be glad to help you.
You are right, we shouldn't be a bother to anyone else.
PS
I run my Dunlops at their max while cold @51PSI.
My dealer even sets them up for me this way with my request.
I've not seen any reduction in traction and no abnormal wear but they have a pretty hard ride set up that way.
Good bye, I feel no further need to talk to someone like you.
Mark
My rep can stand all on its own when challenged by someone like yourself
Jcrlbr, now all you have to do is teach your wife how to drive the way you do! There are more then a few females that are doing some serious damage to the EPA estimates in their own hybrids and I wouldn’t doubt we actually see one pop to the top of one of the hybrid category’s in the near future
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
Please use the e-mail in my profile to send me a note so that we may coordinate our test drive for day after tomorrow. I'm ready to get in touch with ya......Drop me a line so we can exchange phone numbers.....
Thanks
Larry S.S.
Phoenix HCH Ownerbig>
Sorry, I tried to figure out how to get to your profile before we went out of town but couldn't. I was going to have Rick do it when he got home but, with all our preparations for the weekend, I forgot. I'll try again right now.
Thanks, J
At the outset, let me say I was surprised how "little control" a new driver of a CVT HCH has in regard to manipulating speeds and rpms to maximize MPG. Coming in as a manual tranny HCH owner, I was at a disadvantage, in that a lot of the tricks I use for hypermiling are not usable in the CVT. Evidence has shown that drivers of CVTs *DO* figure it out over time, but if you are a first time CVT driver after coming from a MT, you will have a LOT to learn, and FAST !!!
I met a woman and her husband to help them determine if I thought something was wrong with their car, because they had always experienced "low MPG" and they were concerned because the dealer tells them the car is fine. My job was to evaluate the car and see if I thought something was wrong or not.
My first thing was to check the oil in the car. It was just a smidge below the top level, the last dot, which means it was filled correctly. I forgot to ask them what kind of oil they use - I will ask her and report this here later.
Next was the tires. They had 205/something/17 17" low profile tires with five spoke chrome rims !! (oops !! ) I knew right away that would be a definite problem for them. Those tires and rims are no doubt heavier and are definitely NOT "low rolling resistance" tires. I checked the pressure, and the tires were between 25 and 28 PSI !! They are rated at 44 PSI on the tire.
Their FCD showed 35.2 and 280.1 miles for the Trip A meter. I cleared that, and we left the mall parking lot headed for an air hose.
Right away I could feel the rumble of the tires and I could feel the road being gripped a lot harder through the steering feel. After the first 1/2 mile or so in the Mall lot before we got to a city street, the FCD was about 36. I knew in my car that same route at that speed would have netted about 48. Tires definitely an issue.
We got the tires inflated up to 52 PSI all around and hit the street. It took "TWO" sessions on the air compressor, at 50 cents each, so they already spent a dollar !! We rolled down the windows, no A/C.
The first thing I wanted to do was to try the "pedal feathering" technique that the users here had told me about. I accellerated slowly up to speed (40 mph) or near it and then started feathering. Sure enough, the feather action showed the realtime meter jumping between the 60 and 80 MPG range - a good sign I thought. All the while, I was trying to explain tips to them and learn this trick simultaneously, so my concentration was not what it should/could have been.
They have had the latest ECU update also. Not sure how that affected anything, just wanted to add that info.
So we trudged along, hitting red lights and cruising with cruise control on for some of the time, to compare it to the feathering. On the back trip after the 5 mile turnaround, we closed the windows and used the A/C, and I still got pretty good results with the feathering.
We ended up at 44.6 MPG over 11.2 miles before turning back in to the Mall parking lot, then lost down to 43.9 at 11.8 by the time we got back to my car.
So my conclusion is that there is nothing wrong with the car. But the tires are hurting them, and they like to use the A/C all the time too, so that hurts them also. I gave them a huge printout of hypermiling techniques I had accumulated in a journal, and set them free. Hopefully they learned something, and maybe they can improve over the 34.0 lifetime MPG that car has on the Trip B meter.
With more time in a CVT, I think I could get a lot better. But I SURE DO LOVE my Manual Tranny HCH, and having the control over gears and speeds and RPMs is priceless, in my mind.
That the 2006 HCH does not have a manual tranny version is a crying, awful, terrible shame. :mad:
Anyway, hopefully hybridhater will be reporting improved MPG numbers soon !!!
I suspect that my tires (came with the car) are underinflated, but I nonetheless am getting around 50mpg now, using some of the tips I've picked up here.
Thanks for the reply and thanks for helping Hybridhater out
Hybridhater, now it’s your turn Why didn’t you tell us about the wheel/tire combo as well as the low pressures? If you want to ever see great FE, those 17” Chromed “DUB’s” (as I am going to call them) have got to go. They are killing your HCH in more ways then just your Fuel Economy!
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
I would imagine they cut your mileage and make for a harsher ride. Isn't that the price you pay for better handling? What other disadvatages do they present? My Passat came with them. I don't believe I would have ordered the car that way. I would guess I could gain a few MPG with less tire on the road.
Have you changed tires on your new Accord to get high mileage?
PS
Happy 3 year anniversary
I will try and answer what I can
Think of a thoroughbred out on a track. Its sole purpose is to run like the wind day in and day out. Well, maybe week in and week out
The same analogy applies to an HCH, Insight, Prius I or II. They were designed with relatively LRR tires and relatively lightweight aluminum rims. By throwing on 17” Chromed - steel Dub’s, you have ruined its chances to run with the leaders. Next thing you know, it is ready for the glue factory! Hybrid enthusiasts have seen this literally hundreds of times. “I am going to remove the Bridgestone RE92’s from my Prius I or Insight and place some Nokian’s or Blizzak’s on it for better traction and control”. Each and every time I have seen this statement appear, an almost 5 mpg hit or about a 7 - 10% drop in FE occurs. This is just moving from RE92’s to Blizzaks’s let alone a lightweight 14” aluminum wheel to an oversized, overweight, 17” chromed steel and rubber laydened monster. It doesn’t matter if there is an increase in handling or not. If you are cornering the HCH beyond .81 G’s on its stock Dunlop’s or Bridgestone 381’s, you shouldn’t be driving an HCH in the first place!
Back to the horse story If you are going to have a competitive horse, you aren’t going to run him with 20 #’s worth of Horse shoe on each and every hoof!
As far as the Accord is concerned, it cannot come anywhere near the FE that the Insight, HCH, and Prius II can achieve and it was never designed for that. Her 160 horses can take the relatively LRR Michelin’s on somewhat lightweight 16” Alloys to hypermileage without much trouble but she will never achieve what any of those 3 automobiles can achieve/are capable of when setup with their OEM shoes all around I have seen south of 60 mpg in the Accord over a 50 + mile segment but I have surpassed 115 mpg in each of the 3 hybrids listed above and I can assure you that this would not have been possible if any of them were clad with overweight/oversized 17” chromed sneakers and soles
Darn, 3 years already? And to think of all the fun I have had over here
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
It is the weight of the wheel/tire combo as well as the RR that could kill a hybrid’s FE.
In regards to the winter tires, I do not change them myself so I am only passing on what others have posted in the past I know some Hybrid drivers like the Blizzaks. These individuals also know they are going to take a harsh FE hit
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
You might find the following tire pressures and the accompanying Fuel economy detail helpful?
Prius II
62/62 PSI. 98.8 mpg at 77F.
44/42 PSI. 97.4 mpg at 82F.
35/33 PSI. 96.0 mpg at 86F.
I was driving Tbaleno’s CVT based HCH last week w/ a touch under 50 #’s in his Bridgestone’s and received some 50% higher then what you have seen in your own HCH to date. Bring up the pressures and learn the techniques and your HCH will be punching out FE you could have never dreamed was possible too!
Good Luck
Wayne R. Gerdes
CU has been dissing the Honda Hybrid since the beginning. What do they have against the HCH anyway?
This is not a political statement, it is a business perspective.
But at the same time I'd guess 75% people aren't willing to modify habits hardly at all which I think is sad.
I believe falconone's figures are correct for the vast majority.
I drove his and got 63 mpg while showing him how I go a little over the speed I want them let up just enough to make the CVT stay in higher ratio but keep the same speed. I then see the gauge jump to 60-80 mpg and stay there.
When stopping a gently use the brake and regen all that power back in the battery.
It works great even in the AZ heat I get 55+.
Jim
Jim I also live in AZ
The biggest help is to let up on the accelerator after I get to speed. I seem to stay the same speed but the mpg jumps way up. If I stay in this ZEN mode it's amazing. I've has as high as 74 mpg on a round trip in the city. Many times I get 64-66 mpg. It's a fun way to drive.
I just bought my first Civic Hybrid last night and I'm looking at it as a challenge to get at least 50 mpg consistently.
Where can I go for driving tips to achieve the best gas mileage? Any special things you've all learned that I should be doing?
I have to admit, when I drove it home from the dealership, the feel of it was so different that I seriously considered driving it right back and getting a non-hybrid Civic. I'm sticking with this car though and I plan to get the most out of it. I'm not shrinking away from challange. Heck, when I bought my first stick shift, the salesperson had to test drive it for me and then my husband drove it home and only stalled about 3 times. It took many months to get the hang of it and it eventually became my favorite car of all time. I expect this Civic may replace that car as my favorite.
Thanks for your help!
mynewhybrid in Maryland
Eric
The stiffer ride that comes with increased pressures is not for everyone but i'll take my chances.
Here is a link to a few tips I posted a while back:
misterme, "Hybrid Tips: Optimizing mileage" #323, 30 Sep 2005 11:03 am
While those are not really revolutionary, if applied will get you the mileage you seek. Your results = the amount applied.
I've done pretty good in my 2004 model HCH CVT.
Winter of 2004 averaged around 55MPG
Summer 2004 averaged around 62
Winter 2005 averaged around 58
Summer 2005 averaged around 65MPG Sixty five miles per gallon
Winter 2006 low 60's
Summer 2006 looks like to be about the same as last year.
Many other people have good tips on that linked thread as well.
If you need more dramatic tips & tricks one can google a search on fuel efficiency tips and get tons of results.
I can't post them here for forum violation rules.
My longest tank went for 941 miles and 69.2MPG but I used almost every trick in the book (But not drafting) to the extreme that only few are willing/able to do.
I think you will like this Article:
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=680
PF Flyer
Host - Hybrid Vehicles Message Board
It's great to hear from someone that far away. You are right it can be done and I just did it. Your right in that you have to keep your foot out of it. No-Lead Foot or the FE drops like a Rock. Sounds like you really like your HCH II and so do I. Have not been sorry about my decision.
Take care:
Terry (Tiger)
I bought my HCH about 97 miles north of where I live in Southern California. On the freeway drive home at about 70MPH I averaged 45.8 MPG. This trip included a severe uphill drive (800ft elevation to 4400ft elevation) followed by a more gradual downhill drive, then Los Angeles freeway traffic.
On my 7 mile commute during "rush hour" to Hollywood, CA. I average 38 MPG. If I "hot rod" it, make that 35 MPG.
One morning, after my first fill up, I decided to to a "Max Effort" fuel economy test commute. I pretended that both the gas pedal and the brake pedal had a raw egg on them and if I pressed either one too hard, it would break the egg.
I drive over a hill on a freeway to get to work so the uphill results were disappointing. I managed to pick up a lot of points on the downhill side. When I got to the gated entry to our parking lot, the MPG meter said that I hit 60.0 MPG. By the time I got to my parking space and backed in, it dropped to 59.8 MPG.
My previous car, a 2002 Honda Accord V6, usually got me about 17 MPG in the same commute, and about 30 MPG on the open highway. I think that measures of improvement ought to be based on "where you've come from".
For me, this whole thing is not about saving a bit of money on fuel, it's about responsibility. I really enjoy not being a part of the problem. Buying a fuel efficient/low emission vehicle is not a financially beneficial personal solution, it's about making a statement.
"Los Angeles is one of the "Smog Capitals" of the world." I'm no longer a significant contributor to that problem.
"The US is too dependant on foreign oil." I'm no longer a significant contributor to that problem.
One cute anecdote to close. On my walk back to work from lunch the other day, I spotted an H2 Hummer parked on the street. The California personalized license read, "7 MPG". I was amazed by the Macho mentality that this represented. It would be interesting to talk to the owner when gas hits $10/gallon.
Have fun, be Green!
He is just letting the world know he is paying his fair share of the road taxes. CA roads need the work for sure. With everyone driving a hybrid not enough money goes into the fund to maintain the roads.
PS
I share many of your hobbies....
Re that H2 bumper sticker - I can top that one. I was driving to DC (north along I-81 in the Shennandoah Valley - redneck central) when I was passed by a HUGE black pickup trick with a sticker on the back that read "Kick their [non-permissible content removed], take their gas". Great. What a great world we live in.... And Americans wonder why the rest of the world hates us?
Butch