Winter MPG

[wicked1]

How much does the cold and winter gas effect MPG?
I'm barely getting over 30 mpg now. I'm driving in Econ most of the time, w/ a very light foot. Since my MPG has been so bad, I've been trying harder than ever to go slow, and make very loooong rolling stops. I've dropped my highway speed from ~80 to ~60. I've upped the pressure in my tires (to 38psi when it was still warm a few weeks ago.. so im sure they're lower now, but still above 30).

I keep reading about others still getting close to 40mpg.
what's going on!?!? I swear every other hybrid I see on the road is starting stopping and just plain driving faster than I do.
Urg.. I wish some of you high MPG people lived in STL so you could drive my car as a test....

[tsh]

Maybe some info about what winter is in your part of the world? I'm currently getting 45 MPG(UK) with temperatures in the range -2 to 5 celcius. Thats without trying too hard, but still taking some care.

[zoltiz]

It was in the 20s (Fahrenheit, so -5C or so) in Atlanta recently and most of my trips are 7.5 miles long. I still squeeze out 42MPG average on my 3rd tank. Econ, but not slowing anyone down off the light. If I do get on the hwy, it's 55-65mph, speed limit.

[wicked1]

It hasn't even been super cold yet. We're in the upper 20's F. I guess that's -1 or 2 ish C.

I've always thought I've had issues w/ my battery draining and other IMA type things since I got the car, but don't know for sure. Brought it to the dealer about the battery draining quickly once, he checked for codes from the cars computer and didn't find any, and that was the end of that service. There isn't anything OBVIOUSLY wrong with it.. The dealers here don't sell many hybrids and don't know much about them, so play it by the book. And, apparently my cars computer thinks everything is fine.

Anyone want to brainstorm about what might be the issue, discounting driving habits. I'm confident I'm usually no more aggressive than most hybrid drivers, and lately I've been trying to be as efficient as humanly possible.
on that note, my eco score consistently goes up, so even the car thinks I'm driving properly.

[northbridge]

lots of hills?

[zoltiz]

I know any trip under about 4 miles would've resulted in low 30s for me - engine warm-up takes its toll.

[wicked1]

A lot of small hills. Maybe 50' height between the peaks and valleys. Usually gentle inclines (trying to find a good topo map to tell you the grade, but can't). I'll guess about a 1:20 rise.. 5% grade, 3ish degrees. Fairly consistently going up or down.
Hm.. that sounds like nothing, but from what I can tell w/ google earth, that's right (actually a high estimate according to my G.E. measurements). G.E. might be totally wrong, tho.

I've never thought of it as a hilly place. It's no SanFrancisco, and technically in the "plains". But I guess there really are a lot of gentle rolling hills.

(That should have been an easy answer, but took about 1/2 hour of research )

-My average drive is around 6 mies, so I guess that's a big minus for the mpg. And I see why the short commute gives me the worst of the cold MPG drop. Hmm..

[Dio]

Wicked1, I would love to help you out but I lived in Southern California.

I believed California gas has been switched to winter blend. I am still getting over 40mpg. As a matter of fact I will be filling my tank up tomorrow. Current readout is 44.4mpg with 340 miles. I am currently over 11K on the odometer thus my engine has been broken in a long time ago. Since my engine has been broken in...it has been easier for me to achieve better mpg. I keep my tire inflated at 32psi cold.

Many people on this forum are able to get better mpg than I and can point you in the right direction. But for me, I keep all specification within recommended range; ie, tire pressure, regular unleaded (can't remember exact octane but I think it is 87 or 88). I drive under rolling hills condition quite often. What I do is get up to speed as quickly and safely as I can and lightly removed my lead foot from throttle only to gently pressurize to maintain speed. On going up hill I maintain speed only pressurize throttle when necessary. Going down I will let go of throttle and let gravity do its course only lightly applying throttle if necessary but usually you will gain more momentum without applying throttle (make sure to keep safe distance ahead of you so not to use your brake). Key here is once up to speed let go of throttle only to apply ever so gently to maintain speed. I follow speed limit maybe up to 5 mph over every now and than to keep up with traffics. Don't race to a stop sign but glide to it.

Good luck!!!

[TCroly]

Originally Posted by Dio

Wicked1, I would love to help you out but I lived in Southern California.

I am still getting over 40mpg. As a matter of fact I will be filling my tank up tomorrow. Current readout is 44.4mpg with 340 miles. snip...

Many people on this forum are able to get better mpg than I and can point you in the right direction.

I think you are selling your skills and results way too short. According to our mileage polls, there are only 4 other people on this message board exceeding your 44.4 average.

The average for all members is 38.5mpg(US) and the CVT owners are averaging 39.5mpg(US).

I think many of us have more to learn about how to achieve the best fuel economy from this particular breed of hybrid.

[Dio]

Originally Posted by TCroly

I think you are selling your skills and results way too short. According to our mileage polls, there are only 4 other people on this message board exceeding your 44.4 average.

The average for all members is 38.5mpg(US) and the CVT owners are averaging 39.5mpg(US).

I think many of us have more to learn about how to achieve the best fuel economy from this particular breed of hybrid.

Thanks TCroly. I was referring to Swat and DGH in particular since they seem to be able to achieve phenomenal numbers. Swat achieved 50mpg for a tank and last I heard DGH best tank was 47mpg. My 44.4mpg dropped to 44.3mpg just now since I'd went to the grocery store.

I do agree...this vehicle have a learning curve to achieve the best fuel economy. I am slowly but surely getting the hang of it. Hopefully once I get it down and it becomes second nature; I will be saving lots of money and consequently the environment. Having fun at the same time too.


Wicked1, I have to agree with others; short trips are bad for fuel economy and I am not sure how to remedy it. Maybe go do your errands with the furthest distance first and round trip back hopefully that will warm up your engine negating cold engine effect. But if you just travel to work and back; I say easy on throttle while cold and drive to warm up your engine. I don't idle my car to warm it up, I drive off as soon as I turned on the engine (maybe 5 sec after start up to put on my seat belt).