Factors affecting MPG

[Raider]

Are there any calculations I can use to explain to non-Prius drivers, the energy used driving up an incline, cannot be re-generated driving down the same incline?

I generally drive slower and take the longer route to avoid hills, to maintain my fuel tank MPG but I still cannot get the other passengers out of the house early enough that we are always not rushed to get from place to place... (I've already adjusted clocks to look like we are running late but they already figured out the time offset.)

[Fibb222]

Originally Posted by chrisky

Just for anyone's information, this is what I found on Transport Canada's website, and I quote:
" Dec. 1/89 Canada became the 2nd country after Norway to require daytime running lights on all new passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, buses & trucks manufactured for sale in Canada in order to increase visibility & reduce collisions. The combined effect of this regulation & the voluntary use of DRLs - in vehicles not previously equipped- has been an estimated 11.3% reduction in daytime collisions involving 2 vehicles travelling in different directions."
So it looks like it is effective, I just don't know if they are still keeping stats on this. Would have to research it further.

Thanks for that.

[gunguy05]

Originally Posted by BDDave

I'll take safety over MPG every time.

I have never driven w/ my lights on in the daytime.... y'all act like it is an unspoke law. My thought is that if everyone if forced to do it... as was mentioned in Canada, then what is the point. No one will stand out b/c we will all be the same.

[Fibb222]

Originally Posted by gunguy05

I have never driven w/ my lights on in the daytime.... y'all act like it is an unspoke law. My thought is that if everyone if forced to do it... as was mentioned in Canada, then what is the point. No one will stand out b/c we will all be the same.

see post 20

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by gunguy05

I have never driven w/ my lights on in the daytime.... y'all act like it is an unspoke law. My thought is that if everyone if forced to do it... as was mentioned in Canada, then what is the point. No one will stand out b/c we will all be the same.

It's a bunch of hooey from some safety nazi's. Same folks will try to sell you security lights that also do nothing but waste energy running year round. In reduced viz conditions I strongly encourage switching on the lights to improve visibility, but for good weather, normal daylight? It's just a waste of energy.

In broad daylight to you see other cars first or their lights? I see the cars, not the lights. I've started looking for the lights, and so far in good weather I see the lights second, after seeing the car. Reduced light is another matter. Hence, the reason smart drivers turn on their lights in appropriate conditions.

[Fibb222]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

It's a bunch of hooey from some safety nazi's.

You are entrenched in your position, despite reading in one study that DRLs provided

an estimated 11.3% reduction in daytime collisions involving 2 vehicles travelling in different directions.

I guess that's the Stephen Colbert approach to seeing the world. Going with your gut, not with your head.

We have a lot of that in North America.

[Codyroo]

Originally Posted by Fibb222

You are entrenched in your position, despite reading in one study that DRLs provided I guess that's the Stephen Colbert approach to seeing the world. Going with your gut, not with your head.

We have a lot of that in North America.

Did you ever stop to think that you both might be right? In the study that was quoted (showing an 11% decrease in frontal accidents) did it list out the times of day that the benefit was seen? You are making an assumption that if was evenly distributed throughout the day. Perhaps it was skewed towards Dawn and Dusk with a minima in the middle of the day. If that is the case, both you and Shawn are now argueing the same point.

[Codyroo]

Originally Posted by Raider

Are there any calculations I can use to explain to non-Prius drivers, the energy used driving up an incline, cannot be re-generated driving down the same incline?

I generally drive slower and take the longer route to avoid hills, to maintain my fuel tank MPG but I still cannot get the other passengers out of the house early enough that we are always not rushed to get from place to place... (I've already adjusted clocks to look like we are running late but they already figured out the time offset.)

You are taking the wrong approach. Take the airline approach (with a focus on ontime departures). Let them know that the car is leaving at a certain time, and then leave at that time, regardless of who's ready. You'll only need to do that a couple of times (for the stupidly stubborn) before they get the message. But we are too kind in this society....

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by Codyroo

Did you ever stop to think that you both might be right? In the study that was quoted (showing an 11% decrease in frontal accidents) did it list out the times of day that the benefit was seen? You are making an assumption that if was evenly distributed throughout the day. Perhaps it was skewed towards Dawn and Dusk with a minima in the middle of the day. If that is the case, both you and Shawn are now argueing the same point.

Codyroo caught the jist of what I was saying. The sheeple didn't, probably because they are "going with their gut and not their heads."

As it is, there is a finite MPG penalty for running your headlights during the day. That, MPG, is what the thread is about. Since I had calculated the penalty I listed it here. Some sheeple claiming it is unsafe to drive without headlights in broad daylight does nothing to advance the cause of reasoned analysis.

[Fibb222]

Originally Posted by Shawn Clark

Codyroo caught the jist of what I was saying. The sheeple didn't, probably because they are "going with their gut and not their heads."

As it is, there is a finite MPG penalty for running your headlights during the day. That, MPG, is what the thread is about. Since I had calculated the penalty I listed it here. Some sheeple claiming it is unsafe to drive without headlights in broad daylight does nothing to advance the cause of reasoned analysis.

The thinking man doesn't just rely on his own 5 senses. If a study is any good, it's better than any one man's perceptions and opinion. Especially if said man can't perceive an 11% reduction in collisions as significant.