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Since I live in hilly area, I would like to learn more about LOD, how it can help me to save mpg while going uphill. Do anyone understand the LOD and care to explain? Is there any other monitor that I should observe for hill driving?

Thanks,


Scott

Here's what I do. Start the hill at 16-1700 rpm. I aim for 75-80 LOD. That's where the engine is using fuel most efficiently. If that means I'm accelerating, I take it up to 2000 or 2100 rpm, then fas-glide. If I'm slowly losing speed, that's a good dwl. If I'm losing too much, downshift. Don't take it it too far below 1400 rpm or so.

* this is all on a non-lean-burn engine. Steady speed, low lod, lean burn might be better.

Here's what I do. Start the hill at 16-1700 rpm. I aim for 75-80 LOD. That's where the engine is using fuel most efficiently. If that means I'm accelerating, I take it up to 2000 or 2100 rpm, then fas-glide. If I'm slowly losing speed, that's a good dwl. If I'm losing too much, downshift. Don't take it it too far below 1400 rpm or so.

* this is all on a non-lean-burn engine. Steady speed, low lod, lean burn might be better.

Thanks for the advice, I will put RPM/LOD on right side of my SG and experiment with the uphill driving.

There is one STEEP bridge that I have to deal with in my daily commute -- the one in Chesapeake City, MD... *groan*

Chespeake City, MD Bridge (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=chesapeake+City,+MD&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=47.435825,93.076172&safe=active&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chesapeake+City,+Cecil,+Maryland&ll=39.52254,-75.817203&spn=0.002839,0.005681&t=h&z=18&layer=c&cbll=39.522709,-75.817113&panoid=zgg1VKdVYJpngQRVJ2mAwA&cbp=12,23.71,,0,17.09)

:eek: Well, the good part is the glide on the other side.

Let me say the numbers again: 1400-2100 rpm, 75-80 LOD for a pulse. Often I do a 25-40 mph pulse in 4th, or when I need more speed 35-50 in 5th.

This morning, when I approached the bridge on the level @ 50 mph, I held my LOD @ 65, slowly bled from 50 to 40 and LOD increased up to around 75 when I got to top before I FAS'd my car down the bridge. @ LOD of 65, MPG was around 38-40 and @ LOD of 75, MPG was around 33-35. Nice!

I'll try to play around with lower LOD tomorrow.

That sounds about right. As rpm drops, available power also drops. Maintaining the same TPS demands a higher percentage of that available power.

In reverse, as you pulse you'll see the LOD dropping with rpm rising. I add throttle to maintain LOD during a pulse.

I'd go a little higher, to 70+ LOD and try to hold that. That should get you closer to maintaining speed, and an earlier FAS up and over the top.

So, to start holding @ 70 LOD and let speed bled until 80 LOD before reaching to top, I'll try that route.

~95 LOD is the upper limit on our cars. Above that it goes into "Open Loop, dump lots of fuel in" mode. There's not much to gain going above 80 anyway - not really any more power available.

Any improvement with Andrew's latest recommendations, Scott?

I'm curious to see how well you can dial in the Scangauge with that variable lean burn engine. I don't even try with my Insight because it changes so much I can't get anything close to actual to show on it.

That's a bonus of driving this way, with high lod: you'll likely stay out of lean burn so the SG will be correct. ;) :o Or problem, depending on how you view it.

My civic is still in the shop and I am at home sick since last friday, head infection... :(

:( dislike

Head infection?? Sinus, sore throat, headaches, fever, everything? Pollen has a choke hold on most people around here... myself included (I stock up on Claritin throughout the year for these eight weeks :p) No bueno... feel better!

That's too bad. :( I hope you feel better soon, Scott!!

(Meanwhile, we have freezing rain and are supposed to get 1-3" of snow tomorrow. :rolleyes:)

Good Morning Everyone, I'm back.

I'm currently recovering and returned to work.

My Civic is still in shop, should be done by lunchtime today.

Can't wait to pick it up!

My new Owner Manual for CRV has arrived today!

Head infection?? Sinus, sore throat, headaches, fever, everything? Pollen has a choke hold on most people around here... myself included (I stock up on Claritin throughout the year for these eight weeks :p) No bueno... feel better!


I started out experiencing severe migraine last Friday, I got up from bed and immediately collapsed into the floor. My nerve was numb everywhere from head to foot. It was wierd feeling that way so I decided to try and rest it out.

I felt worse on Monday so I decided to see the doctor and found out that infection started from inside my head and spread to my throat, and gave me antibotics. Since then, I started to feel everything in my body.

I am currently recovering and am back to work. I am not going to let it stop me.

I started out experiencing severe migraine last Friday, I got up from bed and immediately collapsed into the floor. My nerve was numb everywhere from head to foot. It was wierd feeling that way so I decided to try and rest it out.

I felt worse on Monday so I decided to see the doctor and found out that infection started from inside my head and spread to my throat, and gave me antibotics. Since then, I started to feel everything in my body.

I am currently recovering and am back to work. I am not going to let it stop me.

Dang... glad you're finally kicking it to the curb and getting back on the saddle!

I am also glad you are feeling better, Scott!

We are at 6" of snow and counting here in blustery MN. :p

Thanks all, getting better now with antibiotics...


That sounds about right. As rpm drops, available power also drops. Maintaining the same TPS demands a higher percentage of that available power.

In reverse, as you pulse you'll see the LOD dropping with rpm rising. I add throttle to maintain LOD during a pulse.

I'd go a little higher, to 70+ LOD and try to hold that. That should get you closer to maintaining speed, and an earlier FAS up and over the top.

I'm going to try this route and let you know how it went.

I am also glad you are feeling better, Scott!

We are at 6" of snow and counting here in blustery MN. :p

ouch!

Andrew,

Here it is in video:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/LOD_Bridge.mp4

Nice!

I was going to comment on the high rpm at first, but seeing it drop to 1600 during the climb - looks good to me. I would maybe try 5 mph slower and 5 LOD higher, but I'm not even sure that would be better. I think it would be, but would have to test it.

I see you started at 54.x mpg and ended at 55.4 mpg. That's the real news here! Great to watch the average ticking up on the FAS.

Started at 54.4 MPG and ended at 55.4 mpg. I'll try 5 mph slower and 5 LOD higher.

I was FASing downhill right before I go over that bridge (southbound), sped up then was awkward with setting up camera, (held gas too long) while recording. I will have to set up camera a little earlier so I can do it more properly.

From work to gas station on March 28 (yesterday) (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/To_Gas_Station.mp4)

From home to McDonalds on March 29 (this morning) (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/To_Breakfast.mp4)