Best way to handle hills?

yarzy · 10-12-2006, 09:27 AM

I live in Bucks County, PA and while it is a very pretty area to live in, it is also very hilly. What is the best way to save on fuel in a hilly area? I am sure I can do something better than what I am doing now.

Beryl Octet · 10-12-2006, 09:34 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(yarzy @ Oct 12 2006, 09:27 AM) [snapback]331638[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I live in Bucks County, PA and while it is a very pretty area to live in, it is also very hilly. What is the best way to save on fuel in a hilly area? I am sure I can do something better than what I am doing now.
[/b]

What works for me is to build up as much speed as possible before I reach the bottom of the hill, then maintain a light pressure on the throttle to sort of maintain speed/gradually slow down until I crest the top. I don't do this if there is traffic, though, and keeping a steady speed in hilly country does hurt your mileage. Probably hurts worse, though, in a conventional car, if that's any consolation.

eagle33199 · 10-12-2006, 09:42 AM

When there's no traffic, i'd say the best way is definately not to maintain a constant speed. instead, utilize the downhills to gain speed, and the uphills to bleed off excess speed - i would think it's very similar to the P&G technique, from a speed perspective - you "pulse" by going downhill and gaining speed (even though you aren't laying on the gas) and "glide" by going uphill, loosing speed down to a certain point.

i'd say pick a favorite route and run it several times with no traffic, trying different techniques. record the mileage for each technique, and let us know what works out best!

Ari · 10-12-2006, 11:36 AM

Based on a recent trip to Julian, CA (5000 ft elevation difference) my experience is that it doesn't help to go up the hills slowly. A rather brisk pace when going up a hill seems to burn less gas because you spend less time on the hill. This doesn't mean accelerating when going up the hill, but I definitely do not allow the hill to bleed off too much speed.

For example, if I'm an area where my average speed is 65 mpg, I might try to get to 75 when on a downhill portion. When hitting the next hill, I'll try to keep the speed above 60. If I let it get down to the 40's, then I'm burning just as much fuel as I would at 60 but I'll be stuck on the hill longer. Of course if there's traffic, I have no choice but to trudge along behind everyone else.

None of this is going against what has already been posted - definitely use the down hills to your advantage.

echase · 10-19-2006, 04:05 PM

I concurr that high speed helps before climbing a hill. I have found that it is also helpful to maintain high speed for long hills (only tapering down to 40mph or so as I peak the hill).

My theory is that the ICE is geared high, and thus has it's peak energy transfer while the rest of the drivetrain is moving at high RPM. I have noticed that it is easier to maintain 40mpg on a slight hill if I start at 62mph, and keep it there. If I try to climb the same hill at 35mpH I get around 28mpG.

I'm still trying to determine what the best strategy is when you come to a stop on an incline. My gut tells me that it is best to accellerate quickly to high speed, then keep it there. I know this is not true on a flat.

10-12-2006, 09:42 AM	#3
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,724 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	When there's no traffic, i'd say the best way is definately not to maintain a constant speed. instead, utilize the downhills to gain speed, and the uphills to bleed off excess speed - i would think it's very similar to the P&G technique, from a speed perspective - you "pulse" by going downhill and gaining speed (even though you aren't laying on the gas) and "glide" by going uphill, loosing speed down to a certain point. i'd say pick a favorite route and run it several times with no traffic, trying different techniques. record the mileage for each technique, and let us know what works out best! __________________

10-12-2006, 11:36 AM	#4
Ari Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 165 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Based on a recent trip to Julian, CA (5000 ft elevation difference) my experience is that it doesn't help to go up the hills slowly. A rather brisk pace when going up a hill seems to burn less gas because you spend less time on the hill. This doesn't mean accelerating when going up the hill, but I definitely do not allow the hill to bleed off too much speed. For example, if I'm an area where my average speed is 65 mpg, I might try to get to 75 when on a downhill portion. When hitting the next hill, I'll try to keep the speed above 60. If I let it get down to the 40's, then I'm burning just as much fuel as I would at 60 but I'll be stuck on the hill longer. Of course if there's traffic, I have no choice but to trudge along behind everyone else. None of this is going against what has already been posted - definitely use the down hills to your advantage. __________________ 2006 #1 Magnetic grey

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10-12-2006, 09:27 AM	#1
yarzy Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 65 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I live in Bucks County, PA and while it is a very pretty area to live in, it is also very hilly. What is the best way to save on fuel in a hilly area? I am sure I can do something better than what I am doing now.

10-19-2006, 04:05 PM	#5
echase Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 204 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I concurr that high speed helps before climbing a hill. I have found that it is also helpful to maintain high speed for long hills (only tapering down to 40mph or so as I peak the hill). My theory is that the ICE is geared high, and thus has it's peak energy transfer while the rest of the drivetrain is moving at high RPM. I have noticed that it is easier to maintain 40mpg on a slight hill if I start at 62mph, and keep it there. If I try to climb the same hill at 35mpH I get around 28mpG. I'm still trying to determine what the best strategy is when you come to a stop on an incline. My gut tells me that it is best to accellerate quickly to high speed, then keep it there. I know this is not true on a flat.