kgenaidy
11-13-2009, 02:11 PM
In January 2009 I purchased a 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid and decided that I wanted to learn to drive in a manner to get better gas mileage. Supsequently, I have traded for a 2010 Lexus HS250h to have more cabin space room and comfort.
I have learned a few things along the way.
The key to getting better mileage in any vehicle is the driver. While I am a conservative driver by nature ... I still had to break some old habits and learn new skills.
Driving for better mileage is a set of compromises that is ever changing. How to get the best mileage, be safe with surrounding traffic, and not make other drivers too upset w/you.
Driving for better mileage is hard work. It forces you to become very attentive to what your vehicle is doing, the route being driven, traffic patterns, and other factors. An unexpected by-product has been that I beleive I am now a safer driver because of paying much more attention to my vehicle and the surroundings.
I have learned hypermiling techniques that have definitely helped improve mileage. Sites like CleanMPG.com provide a tremendous amount of useful information and has very helpful individuals.
A Scanguage or similar tool is a must to provide instant feedback on what is actually happening with a vehicle instead of just guessing.
Lastly ... it is an on-going journey. Some days are a step forward ... and others are a step back.
The "Journey" has yeilded these results this year:
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid: 13225 miles and 53.45 mpg
2010 Lexus HS250h: 1500 miles and 46.24 mpg
I think as the HS breaks in and I continue this journey and as skills improve ... the mileage will only go up.
I have learned a few things along the way.
The key to getting better mileage in any vehicle is the driver. While I am a conservative driver by nature ... I still had to break some old habits and learn new skills.
Driving for better mileage is a set of compromises that is ever changing. How to get the best mileage, be safe with surrounding traffic, and not make other drivers too upset w/you.
Driving for better mileage is hard work. It forces you to become very attentive to what your vehicle is doing, the route being driven, traffic patterns, and other factors. An unexpected by-product has been that I beleive I am now a safer driver because of paying much more attention to my vehicle and the surroundings.
I have learned hypermiling techniques that have definitely helped improve mileage. Sites like CleanMPG.com provide a tremendous amount of useful information and has very helpful individuals.
A Scanguage or similar tool is a must to provide instant feedback on what is actually happening with a vehicle instead of just guessing.
Lastly ... it is an on-going journey. Some days are a step forward ... and others are a step back.
The "Journey" has yeilded these results this year:
2009 Honda Civic Hybrid: 13225 miles and 53.45 mpg
2010 Lexus HS250h: 1500 miles and 46.24 mpg
I think as the HS breaks in and I continue this journey and as skills improve ... the mileage will only go up.