Quote:
Originally Posted by Escape1
Thanks to the greeting Wayne. Since purchasing the Hybrid Escape, I have found it a challenge to increase the MPG. I find myself coasting more and driving at lower speeds than before. I am very happy with the milage in the city but and somewhat disappointed by the milage on the highway especially in hilly areas.
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Welcome to CleanMPG!
First question, are you using Cruise Control? If so, that's probably why the MPGs are so weak in the hilly areas. Disengage it, and use the pedal instead, as the CC system requests more power than necessary to climb those hills, thus resulting in lowered MPGs. However, don't be afraid to the use the CC, especially in level areas; it can prevent speed ups (Where you speed up without desiring to do so over a long stretch of driving), and can take some of the pressue off you when you're driving long stretches.
In some regards, treating the FEH like a tractor trailer can net some great MPGs at highway speeds. As you go up the hill, DWL, or bleed off some speed as you ascend up the hill, like you see nearly every tractor trailer do. Stick to the right lane, and let the guzzlers pass you. You may even find other trucks will just follow your lead if the're behind you; don't worry about it and let the speed drop a bit. Apply some throttle, you don't want to coast up the hill, but merely ease the load required down a bit, in relation to the ascent.
Slowing down is vital to getting good MPGs on the highways. Coming back to Detroit from Chicago, on I-94, I traveled at a hair under 60 MPH, which put me at the speed limit for trucks, not cars (Cars are 70 MPH), stuck to the right lane, and enjoyed the drive. At times I slowed down further, but keeping the speed down is what nets the better fuel economy. (At the same time, you want to be aware and not go too slow.) I managed 42 MPG on that return trip, 370 miles, all expressway. I was passed by pretty much every car I saw, and even about 5 trucks, but all the other trucks were traveling my speed, and I still made it home in a reasonable amount of time, enjoyed the drive, and got great fuel economy.
There is
no reason to travel on a highway at high speeds, especially over a long distance. If there is, you've done something wrong. Leave yourself extra time, and actually enjoy the drive. (Though, depending on where you are, it can be a bit boring.) The difference between 60 and 75 MPH isn't that much timewise, but it can mean the difference between 42 and 28 MPG.
Hybrid Mode
