Beating the EPA - The Why’s and How to Hypermile

[brick]

Nice writup! Clear, concise, and accessible. That's what it takes.

[dcoyne78]

Wayne,

I have some xcel charts showing monthly, seasonal and simply mpg over 2 years along with a rolling 10 tank mpg avg (this is typically 4000 to 6000 miles it varies by season). My data since May 2006 should probably be ignored because my tire pressure was increased from 42/40 to 57/55 and I started trying to do some casual hypermiling. The charts can be found at the link below:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showg...500/ppuser/135

Dennis

[xcel]

Hi Dcoyne:

___I have yet to post Tony Schaefer’s as promised but will later today. We have an ~ 100 degree F temperature delta on the extreme with a std. 50 degree F delta being the norm between January and August here in Northern Illinois. His LMPG shows an ~ 22 mpg delta due to the temps alone and his own tank data show the rise and fall quite dramatically as to how temperatures were effecting his FE over the last 2 years as well. I have the same for my own “Little Red Beauty” with an ~ 35 mpg delta between these two months but since she is retired, I wanted to use a fresh data set.

___Here is his data that I have yet to incorporate into the article directly … The blue to pinkish/red shaded area are temps and the sharp blue line is his tanks actual FE. They are almost in lock step as well as showing how hard a hit we take in the winter and how nice it can be in the summer.


Tony Schaefer’s Prius II - FE data vs. Temperature

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[lakedude]

With the EPA revising their standards to be more "realistic" the new way to beat the EPA will be to get in your car and not drive like a madman/woman.

What are you guys going to do when because of lower standards nearly everyone is a "hypermiler"?

Perhaps a few new titles like:

Hypermiler-

-Ultimate
-Elite
-Excellent
-Good
-Fair

(old EPA standard)

-Generic
-only because the standards were relaxed
-Guzzler
-SUV
-Hot rod

(new EPA standard)

-Trailer towing award
-are you trying to do this bad?
-GPM

[xcel]

Hi Jason:

___We are discussing this in detail in other threads. More then likely, we will keep the same but under the 08 forward specs, you will need to achieve 125, 150, and 175% of the EPA combined to meet the same criteria.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[ksstathead]

How does one 'rev match' when re-engaging an automatic transmission in a non-hybrid? I'm a newbie just trying nICE-On, and don't want to buy a new tranny to save a few $ on fuel. The tach is hyper sensitive to throttle in neutral...

Appreciate any guidance.

[xcel]

Hi KSStathead:

___If your Auto can be flat towed, you can FAS. If not, I would not

___The way you rev match is upon re-ignition of the ICE, your car will probably rev up to 1,500 - 2,000 RPM This is your opportunity to have the Auto Tranny pick up load while rev matched to the ICE in some respects. This is not perfect as Auto’s are not manuals but some are manumatics and they can be quasi rev-matched.

___Please understand the other caveats that apply in a FAS as well as practice some of the other advanced techniques on desolate country roads before performing them in traffic for safety’s sake …

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[ksstathead]

Vehicle is 03 Tacoma which according to a motor home magazine site is not among vehicles that can be flat towed. Not trying to Fas anyway, but only coast with nICE-On. Any problem with that? Is that helpful to mileage? Any rev match comments/advice when not relighting ICE?

[xcel]

Hi KSStathead:

___I would like for you to post this in the FE forums as that is where it can be picked up on the best. For now, a NICE-On may or may not be problematic but without the flat tow capability, I would be careful as this is not just about lubrication requirements. The whole issue can get ugly real quick and I would tend to side with the longevity aspects. An 03 Tacoma w/ an Auto that cannot be flat towed may just be one of those vehicles you don’t want to toy with. I am just not sure nor would I be willing to find out if it were mine.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[mitlynch]

My hybrid gets much better mileage when the batteries are fully charged. While I'm at work, my hybrid sits out in the sun all day. Why doesn't the roof of my car have a solar panel that would charge my batteries? This way, when I get in to go home, my batteries are fully charged and I can make it home on far less gas. It would also be getting a trickle charge while driving it.

Also, I would really rather plug in my car at home at night so that it is fully charged in the morning. I won a Lexus LX 400h. Is there a kit to either plug in the batteries at night, or better yet, to add a second set of batteries for even more electric and less gas?