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Hello all.

Im an old guy with a new car. It has set me to doing all sorts of crazy things like slowing down, trying to Pulse & Glide, and contemplating a scan guage!

I average about 50 mpg per tank but just know I can do better with the right information, tools, and procedures.

Gotta FAQ or knowledge bank or should I just read all the posts?

(I read slow so that could be painful)


anyway this is where I place one of these things I think!: :woot:

btw: I drive 33 miles one way to work on a hiway at 65 mph or so. I tried doing 55 but the crowd got angry!

sheepdog:

Welcome!

"Nuggets" should read Beating the EPA (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) by our own Wayne Gerdes.

Read, memorize, practice, and when you have questions, head over to the Glossary linked on the left side of the page.

You can expect somewhat better than 50MPG from a Prius.

Welcome, Sheepdog! You certainly came to the right place -- we have plenty of Prius experts right here! :)

You can start by reading the articles at the lower right of the home page of this site -- those should give you a good idea of what you can use to improve your mileage as well as how to handle those impatient drivers around you.

Slowing down can be one of the most difficult things to get used to -- it takes courage to get used to the cars going around you but just remember this: those other drivers don't want an accident any more than you do. If you make yourself obviously different by Ridge Riding (hugging the fog line in the right most lane) most people will just get in the other lane early to avoid having to slow down. Be courteous, but don't let people bully you for driving legal speeds in the right lane, okay?

I'm glad you found this site and I'm certain you'll be very glad you've found it as well! Take your time and ask plenty of questions -- we love to help. :)

Thanks all. I guess I have to start the due diligence part by reading all you mentioned.

When do I get to play with a scan gauge?! :D

As soon as you buy one! There is actually a group buy in progress right now -- just click on the "Buy Now" button at the bottom of the green menu column to the left of this content and have a look at the group buy thread here. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10448)

I know it looks expensive up front but the gains you can make while using it for feedback can pay for the device in fuel money saved in a startlingly short period of time!

Welcome Sheepdog. And a very good start you've made. Yes, there is a lot to learn about Hypermiling, but most of it is so much common sense, that it comes pretty easily.

I agree with others, that it can be intimidating to drive slower than others, but using your well developed skills, you can gauge when it is safe, and when it makes more sense to speed up.

I tend to do 55 in the 65 MPH zones, and do stay to the right side of the right lane. If I notice a lot of traffic coming from behind, and see that a trucker is not going to be able to pull out a lane, I will speed up to help him out. I use my 4-way flashers to warn the trucks when they are a fair distance back, to give them the heads up that I'm going slow. It's similar to what they do when they are traveling below the limit. That generally works well (although not always). I can tell you that it sure keeps me awake!

I think more and more people are getting the idea, and they know why I'm going slow. As time goes on, it will get easier and less troublesome.