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Ever find that your milege works out opposite to how you think it will? It's odd, but that seems to happen to me on a daily basis. For example, I expected a really nice segment, possibly even a personal best yesterday. I worked hard, using FAS at every reasonable opportunity (I probably covered 3-5% of my mileage that way...a lot for me) and even accidentally worked myself into a D-FAS. Kinda fun! But I blew it somehow. I think that I pushed a little too hard, throwing off my rhythm and killing the segment. 40.1mpg is good, but I have done better on that run.

This morning was entirely the opposite. The morning run was just under 40mpg yesterday, and traffic was much worse this morning. I was foced to dump speed by traffic on one offramp, hit one of the big lights completely wrong, and had to get into the throttle a couple of times in order to make lane changes. And yet somehow this segment was 40.8mpg, better than yesterday rather than worse. Actually, no. I think that's the best I've done on this one? I need to start a log book...

Maybe it's simply natural to work harder when you think the odds are against you?

Hi Tim:

___In my experience, you appear to be handling the various traffic scenario’s better while also becoming more at ease and more confident with your new found skills. I cannot explain the variance between one day and the next but I can state that when you begin using all the tools in the tool box in combination(s) with a smooth cadence; your FE will rise to yet an even higher level! There is a lot to be said for the various modes of “Smart Braking” within the DWB technique inside of tight traffic but I get the sense you are beginning to drive in terms of an energy equation vs. simply “Apply right foot at this rate of accel to said speed, FAS to a target, Reengage …” This is where the art of hypermiling arises and I have a sneaky suspicion you are reaching this next level without even knowing you are doing so ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Yeah, it's probably just a matter of needing more practice as I add new components to my routine. It's the "smooth" part that seemed to be missing yesterday. Note to self and others: FAS augments good basic skills, but won't make up for poorly executed fundamentals!

At the very least, I now understand why you and the other "pros" encourage the use of FAS with such enthusiasm. My short 5-mile trip at mid-day went pretty well, owing to judicious engine killing. The final number was 40.3mpg, which is by far the best I have seen on that route. (34-36mpg would be "normal")

This tank is going to have to be earned back, as I managed some extraordinarily poor segments in traffic late last week. We'll just pretend that I did it on purpose to keep from getting cocky ;)

36.2mpg, 160 miles in, and counting...

sometimes i don't even stare at the scangauge and decided (hey long straightaway lets rip it up to 80km/h! or 50 mph!) and then I score 50 mpg go figures.

Sometimes the fun is just in the driving alone.

Sorry for being off topic but....
Phil your sig says

42.97 L/100km

Is that right?

100km is about 62 miles. In my car that would take about one gallon. A normal Civic with a normal driver might take 2 gallons. There are about 3.8 liters in a gallon so my car would be averaging something like 3.8 L/100km. 42.97 is awful, it is like 5.5MPG! Unless I made a mistake your figures are off by perhaps a factor of 10?

Sorry for being off topic but....
Phil you sig says

42.97 L/100km

Is that right?

100km is about 62 miles. In my car that would take about one gallon. A normal Civic with a normal driver might take 2 gallons. There are about 3.8 liters in a gallon so my car would be averaging something like 3.8 L/100km. 42.97 is awful, it is like 5.5MPG! Unless I made a mistake your figures are off by perhaps a factor of 10?

lol no worries dude it was a bug that Tom had to fix ;) Oh lakedude how I dream of owning your car...

Wow that looks better! 5.5 is a lot better than 42.97!!!

That fix didn't take long..........

I set MPG goals for each segment. The segments are a few miles long, but also longer benchmarks at approx. 5, 15, and 30 miles.
If I come up short on any of my shorter segments I try and make it up on the next.

I've discovered that often times my bad days can be attibuted to wind, in which case I slow down a bit more. Often times large trucks travel slower and I simply love a slow lumbering truck. I'll follow at a safe distance and the wind break is a good benefit.