Archives

Hello.


My wife and I purchased a Mercury Mariner Hybrid on May 30th. I've been hanging out at GH and saw alot of references to CleanMPG so I thought I would join. I hope to pick up tips from more experienced hybrid drivers in order to improve me FE. We've got about 2200 miles on our MMH so far. Unfortunately, I am still struggling with my FE. I'm getting pretty good with the whole slow acceleration, coasting when possible, shift to L to slow down, fake shift, etc. But I think my FE is low in part due to the newness of the vehicle, but also my driving routine. I'm basically making 4 - 10minute (3 mile) trips per day to drop off/pick up my son at daycare. I believe I've found the best route for me, but I can't tell yet. I was previously choosing between a short highway drive or a straight city drive, but the traffic in the city was resulting in constant stops and starts at every corner. I couldn't get enough regen and was running the ICE too much especially at idle. I recently switched to a route that is a little out of the way, but the road is a little more open and the lights are spaced further apart. However, my other problem is that as soon as I started this new route the temp jumped up into the 90's for a week straight and with my son in the car I've got to run the AC on MAX which is probably killing my FE. My FE went from about 28mpg (which is not good enough for me) to 24.5mpg which is driving me bonkers. I'm looking forward to seeing what this vehicle can do when I get a few thousand miles on her and the weather cools down into the 70's.

Hi from one site newbie to another, should be a slow weekend since many of the more
experianced members will be at Hybridfest in Wisconsin. Anyway good luck on your quest
to achieve higher FE.

Hello and welcome to both of you! It's always good to see new people signing up.

Yes, it looks like it could be a bit of a slow weekend. Many of the "frequent posters" are off at hybrid fest, others will be off living their own lives...that's pretty much how weekends go during the summer.

Welcome Tim K. Though it may be quiet around here for the next few days, be sure to check out the hybridfest updates. It's sure to be a fun time and hopefuly you can experience it through us.

Be sure to talk to Gary when you see him. He is one of the best FEH drivers. And there are a few others that come a close second.

hm you should map it up and explain your route more in detail, by the way you have a nice suv there ;)

Hi and Welcome Tim

Sounds like the short route is the problem to me also. As far as the A/C, try keeping your MMH cool by front window tint and a windshield shade when parked. I crack my windows down a little, even if it rains (not pouring). The time to get the car cooled is when you first start up. Get as much hot air out with the windows down and close as the A/C starts blowing cool air. The short highway drive may be your best choice for overall FE in the heat. Stoplights with MAX A/C is a must to avoid. On cold start-ups, get that battery fully charge with two good FS in "L" at 30mph and then glide as much as possible in "N". Sounds like you already use "L" for braking before you hit the brakes, which is a good habit IMO.

This site has a great bunch of members, enjoy!

GaryG

Gary, one of my biggest problems is getting enough speed to do a fake shift or even regen enough. Too many stop signs and too many red lights. I have a hard time building a full charge early on. The highway route is actually pretty good because there is enough traffic due to rush hour that I can drive at about 40-45mph without slowing anyone down.

I will say this, I love driving through the city at night. Not many cars on the road, lights timed for crusing speed....and dead silence with the windows down. Ahhh. Peace and Quiet behind the wheel. Though, sometimes I feel like I need to turn up the music so people hear me coming and don't walk in front of me!

hm you should map it up and explain your route more in detail, by the way you have a nice suv there ;)

Here are my three choices (and thanks!).

1.) Straight shot across the city. LOTS of cars. Redlights EVERY block. Rarely get over 20mph. Result = 27mpg which is why I am looking at 2 & 3.

2.) Head about 1/2mi North and take a faster street (30mph) with better spacing between the lights. A little longer distancewise but actually a little quicker.

3.) Go a few blocks out of the way to get on the highway.....accelerate to 60+mph to merge....cruise at 55mph for about 1/2 mile.....merge onto a slower more crowded highway and roll along at about 30mph. The fastest (timewise) route by far but requires accelerating to merge into "the fast lane" on an incline over 1/2 mile.

One of the biggest problems is that neither 1 nor 2 offer me any opportunity to get in any FS's while the ICE is warming up because of all of the lights and stop signs. I can FS on the HWY, but most of that route requires the ICE anyway so its charging without the FS.

Do I need to sell my house and move???

Today marked my best in-city loop to date. I actually ran a hybrid route (no pun intended) as I had to drop off my wife. I jumped on the highway right away and then about halfway through, hopped off onto a side road, dropped off the wife and kep rolling. No AC this morning either so I finished at 31.3mpg for the loop. Now I just need to keep going until I find the perfect route.