The One-Stop CleanMPG Welcome Post

[lamebums]

Hi everyone--

In recent weeks it's become extremely difficult to say hello to all the newcomers, and vice versa. We've seen an explosion in membership (I can remember not too long ago when under 200 members visited this forum daily!), a server upgrade, and thousands of new members.

So once and for all, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all new members of CleanMPG. Whatever your reason for hypermiling, be it raising your fuel economy, lowering your costs and emissions, reducing foreign oil imports, or simply trying to lower your blood pressure while driving (or all of the above!), we're here to help.

General Hypermiling

The first place I recommend all new members check is Beating the EPA - the Why's and How's to Hypermile (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510) which is an excellent article by Wayne (xcel) describing the EPA mileage tests, how hypermiling can allow everyone here to beat those numbers, and many hypermiling techniques in detail. I can say myself that the techniques work, having nearly doubled my gas mileage in a six month period and still aiming higher!

To hypermile effectively, I highly recommend a ScanGauge, which can be bought as part of a group buy (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=48) or alternatively, directly through Linear Logic's website or through major websites such as Amazon.com.

Other excellent articles related to hypermiling include Driving Under Pressure (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11652), an excellent article first posted on Officer.com, detailing why higher tire pressure is not only safe, but could indeed save your life. Also, let me say this up front: although drafting is discussed at times and doubling the EPA even at highway speeds is possible under the correct circumstances, we do not endorse close-in drafting! (otherwise known as tailgating which is illegal and dangerous!). We observe the No Zone:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/...verhead_1_.gif



CleanMPG Survival

To help you get around CleanMPG itself, we have several excellent articles on hand. Currently we are experiencing some growing pains having recently upgraded to a new server. Should the server ever be busy, Dan has made a thread (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12136) detailing how we can all survive these down-times.

Fanamingo has created a very good post showing how to link your mileage log to your signature (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11357).

Also, here is how to upload pictures to CleanMPG (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9773).


Automobile Information

If you're in the market for a fuel efficient car I recommend the top 10 most fuel-efficient automobiles available in America (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9350). Alternatively, if you cannot afford or would rather not get a new automobile we have an excellent general guide to buying used fuel-efficient vehicles (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665).

Lastly, we have many articles floating around about techniques to hypermile specific vehicles, including:


2000-2003 Toyota Prius (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5155)
2004-present Toyota Prius (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1224)
2006-present Honda Civic Hybrid (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1306)
Ford Escape Hybrid (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=350)

...plus many more that I'm sure I missed. I swear I'll get them all someday. I'll update it when I see something I don't have on here.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask any of the members who will be more than happy to help.

[kmactavi]

Nice Auston!

Now it's going to be "look at THIS thread" instead of the big list of things from "Beating the EPA" to buying a SG.

Kirk

[PaleMelanesian]

Here is a good article about RPM, throttle, and engine efficiency. It helps explain WHY pulse-and-glide works.

http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_110216/article.html

[caplanjr]

Thanks for the welcome and greetings to all. We recently bought a Camry Hybrid but even with all of the new HM techniques, I still have to fight to get to 30mpg! Since that is less than the comparable gasoline Camry, I'm taking it in next week for a complete diagnostic and road testing by the dealer. Anything special to look for? The ge seems to come on and run at high speed frequently, even when stopped. I'm betting that the battery pack or voltage regulator computer is defective.
Regards,
caplanjr
Rockville, MD

[kmactavi]

Hi CaplanJr,

I'm not familiar with the TCH, but if you have tried everything mentioned above and you're still not achieving EPA, that's a good indication that there is something wrong with the car. I sent a message to Dan (a senior member who recently bought a TCH) to jump in with any advice.

Good luck,

Kirk

[Dan]

Welcome to CMPG!

Originally Posted by caplanjr

We recently bought a Camry Hybrid but even with all of the new HM techniques, I still have to fight to get to 30mpg! Since that is less than the comparable gasoline Camry, I'm taking it in next week for a complete diagnostic and road testing by the dealer. Anything special to look for? The ge seems to come on and run at high speed frequently, even when stopped. I'm betting that the battery pack or voltage regulator computer is defective.

Most low MPG Toyota Hybrid problems are related to oil-overfill, Air Conditioning / Accessory Load, or Bad Tire brand/pressure/alignment.

Here's a thread I started on your question and a sample of my post. Please click the link and reply to that thread for more Q&A on the Camry so the rest of the Camry drivers can find the info.
Thread: http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=132453

Sample:

Originally Posted by Dan

Received this question on the Welcome Thread. Sound like accessory load to me. The AC in this car is pure electric and when on will draw as much as 5 Amps (that's a lot). Headlights will draw another Amp or two, and a huge car stereo system could add even more wood to the fire.

When there is a heavy accessory load on the battery the charge can get low and the battery icon in the energy screen can show as less than half full or purple. When the batter approaches the half-full mark the RPMs will spike. This is because the battery is trying to keep it's charge high and is asking to engine to rev high to redirect power to charging the battery.

My suggestion would be to do the following.

1. Note how many miles are on the car. The "MPG" break-in period is about 5,000 miles.
2. Bring your tires up to the maximum sidewall pressure for the following experiment.
3. Have your tire wear and tread depth checked for even-ness
4. Have your alignment and tire balance checked.
5. Note tire brand and make if they are not the original OEM tires.
6. Get a fresh oil change and provide your own oil (Mobil-1 0w-20 only).
7. Have the fill level checked to ensure that the oil level is halfway BETWEEN the LOW/FILL line and the HIGH/FULL line on the dipstick.
8. If you have high power audio/video/entertainment system in your car, inquire if there is a fuse you can pull temporarily to prevent it from drawing power.
9. Replace your air filter with the prescribed Toyota air filter (cheep).
10. If the spark plugs have been replaced, inquire as to what type of plugs were used.
11. Ensure that the last gas purchase was not E85 or E15, only Regular (not Premium) unleaded (with up to E10) is supported in the TCH.
12. While driving ensure that the transmission is in "D" Drive and not "B" Brake.
13. Ensure that vents to the battery (under the rear window) are clear of debris and clean of any dust, lint or pet hair.
14. Empty your trunk of any material to ensure proper ventilation of the battery.
15. If an audio/video/entertainment system is installed in the trunk, insure that it was not drilled into the battery housing.

Once you've tried that see if you can find a 5 mile stretch of FLAT road without lights or stop-signs. Drive the TCH on the highway for 30 minutes to warm the engine and charge the battery to at least 6 blue bars. Now go to your flat road and set the Cruise Control to 52 MPH with AC off, windows up, radio off, headlights off, and minimal accessory load. You should see MPG in the high 40's to low 50's for your test. If so, you've fixed the issue with one of the above chores.

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