Archives

Here's this week's edition of THE DAILY GRIND!!!

Brought to you by a hypermiling guest host.

Yesterday night's run and this morning's run were NOT good. Temps were low, and my driving was really off.

Monday Morning Update

Reporting Period|Trip Dstnc [mi]|Avrg Spd [mph]|Trip Gllns|Trip Fl Ecnm [mpg]|% of EPA
Morning to Work
|30
|33
|.47
|63.5
|302.4%

Tank SVT
|643
|27
|10.8
|59.5
|283.51%

FEVI SVT
|1432.91
|30
|27.45
|52.2
|248.57



BTW, last fill was a reeeaaaally long fill. The SGII is indicating 10.8 gallons used and my gas gauge is indicating more than 3/8ths of a tank (14.5 gal tank). I'll get confirmation of actual mileage this week - I'm thinking the SGII is under reporting my FE due to my initial calibration off a long fill ...

Some tough weekend driving brought my average down a bit. Hauling sacks of gravel from lowes will do that... ;)

79.3 mpg this morning, humid and 78 degrees after an overnight rain.
Tank average at 74.2 / 575 miles and just over 1/2 on the guess-gauge.

I was featured in the sermon on Sunday. :D The point was that I only get the mileage I do by being deliberate in my actions. Just driving without thinking about it will not give the same results. The pastor used himself as a counter example in his civic, getting "normal" mileage in it. He then tied that in to life and the way we live - be deliberate.

I've started the day off pretty well so far. The temperature was 57F and the wind was calm. Daily average is at 98.3 mpg.
88.1 5.8
110 6.3

Very good analogy between life and driving for FE Andrew. The "just drive it" folks would do well to understand the concept of being deliberate and having to make some sacrifices and put forth some effort.

home for lunch. 76.4 mpg there, 84.9 back.

Tank is up a tick to 74.3 / 598 miles. This is a record 1/2 tank distance by 10 miles over last tank.

Andrew, that's looking like striking distance of 950mi to me!! :thumbs_up:

Might be... I've got a trip coming up in a couple weeks, so it's a race to see which comes first. I WILL be filling before I leave.

The weather has finally caught up to the calendar. We're up to 81F and the wind is NW@ 15 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
88.1 5.8-home to wife's work
110 6.3-wife's work to home
94.0 5.8-home to wife's work
103 19.5-wife's work to store
92.0 8.4-store to Dollar General
150 4.8-Dollar General to home
Average for today was 101.7 mpg.

2 work >
- 20.5 / 13.4 miles (63 Calm) :mad: to say the least (but I take solast that the SG is off:rolleyes:)

watch TDF at work ;)

2 home the long way >
- 22.8 / 15.5 (83 NE@5) had it up over 23 but then city driving took a bite.:(

Daily ave = 21.7 (5 days over 21.5)
Tank is between 5/8 and 1/2 with 225.7 on the ODO. (this is how I know the SG is off. if I was only get 21 ave that It says I am then I would have already crossed 1/2 tank.)

I would have to say I am closer to 22-23 MPG :Banane18:

Well did pretty good today. Warmer temps, some good light timings.
To work 56.6mpg
Work to Pizza store to home combined 54.3mpg


Then...I let the wife try the car out. I've had it 2 months but she's refused to drive it. Finally forced her to drive it. And I didn't even coach her and she ripped off some impressive numbers! I asked her how did she drive it and she said "like you do"

Wife drive to the store 6.2miles @ 49.1mpg
Wife driving from the store to home 6.2 miles @ 60.8mpg(!!!)

My tank is just a smidge under one half gone I'm at ~445 miles. Miles to E is at 415.

Might be able to reach 900 on this tank.

Home last night: 74.3 mpg, 10.5 miles, 92 degrees and humid.
This morning: 87.7 mpg, 10.7 miles, 74 degrees and VERY humid. slight tailwind.

That's a new commute record! :D (86.4 previous)

To work this morning: 38.6 mpg

Tank sits at 40.6 for 46.7 miles.

It's been a pretty good FE day so far. The temperature this morning was 56F and the wind was calm. The temperature is now up to 76F and the wind is N@ 10-15 mph. The daily average is at 99.6 mpg. I think 100 mpg or above is possible with a good trip to school and back.
87.1 5.8
108 6.9
93.4 6.3
111 6.9

Just got home, 183 miles on this tank and the gauge reads just below half - that means I have another 3 or 4ish gallons left to use. I think I'm on track for another decent tank, doubt it will be as impressive as my last one though.

2 work >
- 22.1 / 13.2 miles (70F SE@3)

back home >
- 23.1 / 12.9 miles (87F S@6) 3 FAS' :Banane18:

daily avg = 22.6 (6 days over 21.5)
Tank is at 1/2 mark, with 252.3 miles on the ODO.

I couldn't quite hit 100 today. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.
87.1 5.8-home to wife's work
108 6.9-wife's work to home
93.4 6.3-home to wife's work
111 6.9-wife's work to home
91.5 11.1-home to school
103 10.4-school to home
Average for today was 98.3 mpg.

I re-learned an interesting lesson today. I've really been struggling with FE since installing my cpeter38 type storage alternator (AKA large batteries). Something seemed wrong. Monday I noticed that the temps didn't seem to get very high, but I didn't think too much about it. Internally, I must have noticed that the max temp was 193F. This morning, I noticed the same, but passed it off as a cool morning and not much engine run time. This afternoon, I noticed the same thing YET AGAIN.

As a Six Sigma Blackbelt, I was taught that OFAT (one factor at a time) testing is not efficient, but it is a great way to isolate your changes. Of course all interaction effects are completely lost on the first round of testing. Being a smart guy and knowing that all my changes were going to help (AHHH, the arrogance of youth has snuck up on me in old age), I changed the thermostat AND installed the storage batteries. Of course nothing could go wrong with a simple thermostat R&R, right?

WRONG!!!!

The manufacturer could have the WORST quality control in the world. The thermostat speced for 190F STO (start to open) could be completely open by 176F (yes, I tested it by heating water on the stove and checking temps with a thermocouple). I then managed to find the old part. I cleaned it up a bit and it behaves very close to spec - STO at approximatelu 185F. I plugged up the failsafe hole (I don't recommend doing that if you have any trepidation about replacing your engine). I will see what difference that makes in fuel economy ...

It seems Blue Swayed was happy to see me this morning. :)

61F, 4mph head/crosswind from the NE, partly cloudy:


113.5mpg over 22.4mi (Home to work)

The tank is up to 107.6mpg over 378.9mi

I'm off to a pretty good start for today. The temperature is 57F and the wind is NE@ <5 mph. The daily average is at 99.2 mpg. My daughter has voice lessons tonight and my son may need a ride home from work so I should easily be able to break the century mark for today.
91.1 6.3
109 6.3

It looks like I will be filling up this weekend or before. I went down to 1 pip last night at the 915 mile mark. The last pip isn't flashing yet and the "gas" X-gauge is reading 17.5% remaining. My third consecutive 1K or above tank is pretty much a given but I think I'm going to fall a bit short of my 1,225 mile goal.

ok...so obviously the thunderstorms are out to get me..:(

back in the car. 48.0miles logged. SG reads 37.0mpg. Few short cold trips carrying stuff...

On the way home last night:
4 miles: 40.8 (had to stop for a haircut)
22.3 miles: 42.0

This morning: 26.2 miles, 37.7

Tank is sitting at 40 mpg

I'm still trying to settle in with the Prius. I've already changed my route from a 40/45 mph zone (no stops usually) to a 35 mph zone with a few lights to get to the highway so I can P&G. This is returning great results so far.

However, I'm still having a problem with the 55 mph leg of my trip, the highway. Today, my best 5 minute segment was ~63 mpg and thats probably my best yet. I seem to be averaging for the most part in the mid 50s though. I've been trying to use SHM and pulsing when needed to get back up to speed. However, I'm unsure if I'm doing it correctly. Any suggestions here would be great.

77.1 mpg / 10.6 miles / 92 degrees - home last night
84.9 mpg / 10.7 mi / 75 degrees - this morning

The tank's up to 74.7 mpg and 640 miles, with the guess gauge between 1/2 and 1/4.

13 days with 70+ average.

not posting a lot since i am fried from commuting, but managing to squeeze out between 59 and 65, depending on traffic and wind.

Still struggling - FE is still a problem despite the improvement in thermals (the swap back to the old thermostat yielded an improvement in temps and warm up characteristics). It made me really :mad::mad::mad: to buy a brand new thermostat (Gates) and have it be more than 20 degrees F lower than spec!! I checked the box - the company shipped me the right tstat. The fault is on the manufacturer!
Monday Morning Update

Reporting Period|Trip Dstnc [mi]|Avrg Spd [mph]|Trip Gllns|Trip Fl Ecnm [mpg]|% of EPA
Morning to Work
|29
|33
|.42
|68.7
|327.1%

Tank SVT
|759
|29
|12.7
|59.7
|284.3%

FEVI SVT
|1548.91
|30
|29.35
|52.8
|251.3

I managed to get 48.6 mpg on the way to class today. On the way back, however, I stomped my old record with a 51.0 run! I was pumped to say the least!

Nice work, Jonny!!! :woot:

I had a nice drive back but traffic wasn't cooperating. :p

78F, 12mph cross/tailwind from the ESE, mostly sunny:


119.8mpg for 22.3mi (Work to home)

The tank is up to 108.1mpg over 401.3mi with all 20 bars still showing on the fuel gauge.

Day Total: 116.5mpg over 44.7mi

The ended on a very good note. I have been able to get back to within .1 mpg of the magic number for my 1,225 mile goal on this tank. The last pip started flashing as I turned the corner to come home from the last segment. The 3rd consecutive kilotank is in the books!:woot: The "gas" X-gauge is showing 15% remaining and the FCD is reporting 94.1 mpg.
91.1 6.3-home to wife's work
109 6.3-wife's work to home
100 13.3-home to Autozone for my son
102 4.6-Autozone to my son's work
114 18.0-son's work to wife's work
112 6.3-wife's work to home
111 4.9-home to voice lessons
101 5.0-voice lessons to home
Average for today was 105.6 mpg.

Larry you are just to good. :flag:

2 work >
- 21.9 / 13.2 miles (70F Calm)

home >
- 22.5 / 13.1 miles (85F SW3) T-Storm on my tail :eek:

daily avg= 22.2 (7 days over 21.5)
tank is just under 1/2 with 279.1 miles on the odo.

Hey Larry -- how many miles are on this tank now?

I'm right at the 1K mark. That was right about where the pip started flashing. I'll have to remember to write everything down.

Way to go, Larry! :D

Traffic wasn't nearly as favorable this morning and the wind didn't help, but what the hey. ;)

62F, 10mph headwind from the SSE, overcast:


106.2mpg for 22.3mi (Home to work)

The tank average remains at 108.1mpg over 423.7mi

The car now has 90011mi on it, and my lifetime average since purchase is right at 90.0mpg. :)

The temperature is 64F and the wind is E@ ~5 mph. After the first runs of the day, I'm at 98.3 mpg. The tank is at 1,002.8 miles and the FCD just rolled over to the magic number of 94.2.:woot:
91.7 6.3
106 6.3

90 @ 90k Sean? Woot!

I'm rootin' for you Larry! Keep keep those numbers coming!

6.8mi home yesterday @ 41.3mpg
6.8mi into work this morning @ 50.5mpg.

Work to home last night: 41.7
Home to work this morning: 37.8

Tank still sits at 40.0.

lots of wind lately. held me down to 55.6 on the way home last night, but pushed to 64.3 this morning.

interesting. i regularly see a woman in a priusI on my way in to work. she does pass me, but then pulls back into the right lane and doesn't seem to be racing with traffic. she also accelerates at a decent pace, so perhaps she's getting some good numbers and is aware what her car can do.

Tank still sits at 40.0.
There's a thread about that somewhere, isn't there? :p :D


75.9 mpg home last night
80.3 this morning

Tank is up a tick to 74.8 mpg / 662 miles. Still in the 1/4-1/2 area on the guess-gauge.

14 days at 70+ mpg average for the day.
41 days at 65+ mpg.
82 days at 60+ mpg.

:D

There's a thread about that somewhere, isn't there? :p :D

Yes there is, but I can't seem to keep it there long enough for a full tank. 120 miles on this one so far, and I know the SG is under-reporting by about 1 mpg. Maybe I'll manage to keep that 40 with this one. I could fill up early and claim it, but I wouldn't feel right about it unless I had at least 300 miles on it.

I've been getting wiffs of that 40 mpg tank, and my last tank of 39.85 brought an almost overwhelming scent. I just haven't caught it yet.

Errands at lunch, driving through downtown with all the lights every block. 100+ degrees = :eek:

69.9 mpg / 7.3 miles
68.2 mpg / 5.4 miles - found a better route.

Today I was a model of efficiency...
To work 8.0 miles @ 53.6mpg
Work to home 8.0 miles @ 53.6mpg

Kinda weird :p

Tank is at 530 miles driven. Approximately 35% left on the gauge. 850 miles here I come :)

The day is shaping up quite nicely. The temperature is 80F and the wind is ESE@ 5-10 mph. The daily average is at 102.4 mpg with the trip to school and back still ahead.
91.7 6.3
106 6.3
103 6.3
111 6.3

I've slipped a little but there's still the trip home. Daily is down to 99.2 mpg.
91.7 6.3
106 6.3
103 6.3
111 6.3
92.2 10.5

Lookin' good, Larry!

81F (83F heat index), 15mph tail/crosswind from the S, sunny:


122.6mpg for 22.3mi (Work to home)

The tank is up to 108.8mpg over 446.0mi

Day Total: 113.7mpg over 44.7mi

2 work >
- 21.9 / 13.4 miles (75F S@9) Tail wind

back home>
- 22.4 / 13.0 miles (93F S@10) head wind and it seemed everyone was out to get in my way :mad:

daily avg: 22.1 (day 8 above 21.5)
tank is at 3/8 with 305.8 on the odo.

Ok, that's much better.:) I believe tonight's trip home from school may have been a record. The temperature was 75F and the wind was ESE@ ~5 mph.
91.7 6.3-home to wife's work
106 6.3-wife's work to home
103 6.3-home to wife's work
111 6.3-wife's work to home
92.2 10.5-home to school
112 10.3-school to home
Average for today was 101.8 mpg.

69F, 7mph cross/headwind from the SW, overcast:


109.9mpg for 22.3mi (Home to work)

The tank is steady at 108.8mpg over 468.4mi

Another good start to the day.:) The temperature is 62F and the wind is calm. The daily average is at 99.7 mpg.
93.4 6.3
107 6.3

The tank is at 1049.9 miles and the "gas" is at 7% remaining. According to my calculations, I could have as much as ~180 miles left in the tank which would give me in the area of 1,230 miles until fuel starve. These are based on 7% is the car's calculation based on the rated 11.9 gallon capacity plus the reported/anecdotal amount of 13 gallon capacity of a Prius with bladder. Should be an interesting couple of days.

biked in to work today. *fingers crossed for no rain*. Since I got wet the spell might've broke.

Anyway, 7 miles not added to the car!

I hope you have that gas can handy, Larry! :D

I hope you have that gas can handy, Larry! :D

Yes I do. I just need to find a good bungee strap to hold it in place. I wouldn't want that gas can flying around due to all of those high G death turns we hypermilers are known for would I.;):D

No you wouldn't.

In a pinch you can use the rear shoulder seatbelt. Run the belt through the handle and pull tight.

No you wouldn't.

In a pinch you can use the rear shoulder seatbelt. Run the belt through the handle and pull tight.
That's a good idea! I may have to do that. I'd have to do it in the seat that my son sits in as Indiana law says my daughter has to be buckled in the rear seat until she is 18.

I forgot to mention that the FCD is now reporting 94.4 mpg for this tank; .2 over the calculated level I need to reach my 1,225 mile goal.

I hope you meant 8 instead of 18!!! :eek:

I hope you meant 8 instead of 18!!! :eek:
Oops, I should clarify that: She has to be buckled with the seatbelt until 18 but not in a car seat.

Well... 2 records to report!
On the way home last night: 43.4 mpg!
Tank at 40.4

On the way to work this morning (almost beat the storm):
40.1!

Tank now sits at 40.3 for 203 miles.

Go Taliesin! You can do it!
Go Larry! You can do it!


I had 72.6 mpg home last night with a serious tail-gator on my normally quiet segment. He was flapping his hands and yelling so loud I could actually hear him through both of our closed windows! My crime? Daring to slow to PSL - 5 to crest the hills, and regaining speed on the downslope.
80.7 this morning at 83 degrees.

Forecast has a heat index of 108 this afternoon.

Go Taliesin! You can do it!
Go Larry! You can do it!


I had 72.6 mpg home last night with a serious tail-gator on my normally quiet segment. He was flapping his hands and yelling so loud I could actually hear him through both of our closed windows! My crime? Daring to slow to PSL - 5 to crest the hills, and regaining speed on the downslope.
80.7 this morning at 83 degrees.

Forecast has a heat index of 108 this afternoon.
SINNER!! You...you...hypermiler you!!!:D

Its always humorous to see that reaction. People really don't realize that slowing down 5 mph adds such a tiny amount of time to their commute. To them, its the end of the world and they react as though some loved one must be dying waiting for them at their destination.

I had a similar situation the other day in highway traffic. The car ahead of me was ~150 feet in front of me and everyone is going slow. I kept getting honked at. I got a chance and moved over into another lane to let this guy zoom up. I soon passed him in the other lane. :) Most people never learn.

He was flapping his hands and yelling so loud I could actually hear him through both of our closed windows! My crime? Daring to slow to PSL - 5 to crest the hills, and regaining speed on the downslope...

I had one of those yesterday morning, and my crime was nowhere as serious as yours. I was dropping down to the 45 psl (and only up to +5 on the downhill) in a construction zone.

I couldn't even see the hood of her car!

I'm in interesting territory now - guess gauge indicates ~ 5/32 (2.265 gallons out of a 14.5 gallon total capacity). If this is accurate, the car is good for another 136 miles. I'm a bit hesitant to push this one if I am still going to end up with less than a kilo-tank ...

Friday Morning Update

Reporting Period|Trip Dstnc [mi]|Avrg Spd [mph]|Trip Gllns|Trip Fl Ecnm [mpg]|% of EPA
Morning to Work
|28.8
|31
|.428
|67.4
|320.95%

Tank SVT
|817
|29
|13.6
|59.7
|284.3%

FEVI SVT
|1606.91
|30
|30.25
|53.1
|252.96

I'm a bit hesitant to push this one if I am still going to end up with less than a kilo-tank ...

I'm in a similar state in searching for that 600 mile tank.

Typical Friday traffic on the way home today... plus a headwind. :p

85F, 14-20mph headwind from the WNW, mostly sunny:


115.1mpg for 21.8mi (Work to home)

The tank is now up to 109.0mpg over 490.3mi with all 20 bars still on the fuel gauge.

Day Total: 112.3mpg over 44.2mi

208 miles on my tank on the Mustang, and I haven't hit the 1/4 tank mark on the guess gauge yet. I reckon I have one more day of driving left before I need to fill up.

I might have some more driving to do but I'll post what I have. The temperature is upt to 82F and the wind is calm.
93.4 6.3-home to wife's work
107 6.3-wife's work to home
91.8 6.4-home to bank
109 12.8-bank to wife's work
102 15.5-wife's work to Meijer but stopped at home to pick up spare gas
96.5 12.2-Meijer to my mom's
160 4.6-mom's to home
Average for today is at 103.3 mpg. The tank is at 1,101.8 miles with the FCD indicating 94.7 mpg and 5% gas remaining. I think I have just over a gallon left but not sure, hence the spare can.:p

Go Larry!! go!!

Go Larry!! go!!
Thanks. My lovely bride just informed me that I am making a pizza run so the daily may go up even more. We have the house to ourselves things other than my FE numbers may be heating up.:p:D:Banane41:

OK, I'm done. The daily ended at 104.2 mpg over 72.7 miles. The tank is at 1,110.5 miles and the FCD is showing 94.8 and there is 5% still left in the tank according to the X-gauge.
93.4 6.3
107 6.3
91.8 6.4
109 12.8
102 15.5
96.5 12.2
160 4.6
100 4.3-home to pizza
125 4.3-pizza to home

Way to finish! 160!! :eek:

Way to finish! 160!! :eek:

Yeah, the threat of having to walk if I don't do well is some powerful incentive. I think after the 3rd summer with the car, I'm beginning to catch on to some better P&G techniques.

Yeah, the threat of having to walk if I don't do well is some powerful incentive. I think after the 3rd summer with the car, I'm beginning to catch on to some better P&G techniques.

WOW larry.:eek: Amazing:eek: Can you come and P&G my truck ;)

WOW larry.:eek: Amazing:eek: Can you come and P&G my truck ;)
I'd be happy to but it may take me a week each way to get there and back.:p You are welcome to com up on a Friday evening/night and we could spend a Saturday in a marathon clinic.

2 work >
- 22.1 / 13.3 miles (79F S@17 Gusting to 23)

home >
- 22.3 / 13.0 miles (99F (heat index 106, more in a black truck :() S@16 Gusting to 24)

Daily avg = 22.2 (day 9 over 21.5)
tank is between 3/8 and 1/4 and ODO is at 332.5

sounds fun, but it would take me a week to get up there as well to get any decent MPG, although I do get better MPG on 45-55 speeds:eyebrow:;)

I must have been driving like Almighty Engineer today as I didn't top the century mark for FE today.:p The temperature was 78F but winds were NW@ 10-15 mph. Because of that, segments 3 & 4 much less than they normally would have been.
85.4 7.8-home to bank
103 7.3-bank to my daughter's high school to get the car washed and support the cheerleaders
101 17.3-school to Walmart
99.4 9.2-Walmart to home
Average for today was 97.6 mpg.

I'm still going on the same tank and the FCD is now reporting 94.9 mpg. That poor flashing pip must be getting exhausted as today is the 3rd day it has been screaming at me. The "gas" X-guage dropped to 0.0% on the way home. From past experience though, I think I still have ~.5 gallons left.

I must have been driving like Almighty Engineer today as I didn't top the century mark for FE today.:p

[SNIP]


Even I, with my FSP (AKA Contour SVT with a high performance V6) get better than 52 MPG.

:pI also beat you in our personal competition today:p

Oh, wait, do I have to give numbers???

(:pyou know we don't do that on this site:p)

62.1 mpg over 76.8 miles.

BTW, I just refilled and got 60.089 MPG over a 859.3 mile tank - that's 286.14% of unadjusted EPA on E10 gas!!!!

Even I, with my FSP (AKA Contour SVT with a high performance V6) get better than 52 MPG.

:pI also beat you in our personal competition today:p

Oh, wait, do I have to give numbers???

(:pyou know we don't do that on this site:p)

62.1 mpg over 76.8 miles.

BTW, I just refilled and got 60.089 MPG over a 859.3 mile tank - that's 286.14% of unadjusted EPA on E10 gas!!!!
Of course we don't do that...even it would help promote self improvement.;):rolleyes:

Very nice numbers, er, I mean, data!;):D

I didn't drive my car today, but I gave a clinic to a friend who recently purchased a 2010 FFH. All I can say is: :D

He only had the tires at 40PSI and we just took the first part of my trip to work, turned around and came back. He did quite well (good student!) and I'll write about that later. I took a spin on the same route myself and managed a respectable 70.6mpg over just a bit more than 16mi.

I like it!!

The same route in my Elantra returns low to mid 60's (depending upon traffic) -- a full RT on my normal commute route with good traffic can net me low to mid 70's in the Elantra. I expect over 80mpg should have been possible with the car set up the way it was and the traffic the way I found it today. Pump the tires up a bit more and... :D :D

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/594/FFH_first_drive.jpg

Fusion envy :D

Again I must be slacking.:p The temperature is 72F and winds are WNW@ 5-10 with gusts to 20 mph.
83.8 4.9-home to Church
109 4.9-Church to home
93.0 9.2-home to New York Buffet
100 9.2-lunch to home
Average for today was 95.8 mpg.

The tank is up to 1,180.2 miles and the FCD is reading 94.8 mpg. So ends day 4 of the flashing pip and day one of driving with 0.0% fuel remaining.

Larry, you are really scaring the daylights out of opec...I think they're watching you...I mean...0.0% fuel and still going...something's not right!

Watch out..you saw what happened with the EV1

I had an unexpected highway trip yesterday. 87 miles each way. 100+ degrees and no AC - it was "fixed" but now it is not. I think I drank a gallon of water. :p

67.5 mpg / 87 mi going there. Not happy with that, resolved to do better on the return...
78.0 mpg / 87 mi coming back. :D That's my best highway trip, compared to a prior 75. :D

72.3 mpg / 174 mi round trip, bringing the tank down to 74.3 mpg / 886 miles.