Prius Marathon Run

[lbligh]

My whole family was eagerly following this event all weekend. I would bet that an awful lot of PriusChatters were doing the same. Gentlemen, we really do want to know all about your experience, and no detail is too small.

For example, my husband wondered if you used the stereo system or not? What was your average speed? Did you often drive very slowly? Did you keep the windows up all the time? Did you take off your radio antenna?

This has been more fun than the Tour de France!

[rflagg]

Congrats guys! It was great to meet you all - Dan, Bob, Dave, Rick, Wayne - you are all my hero. I had to head out of town at 1280 miles, right after a little talk with the HBO crew and when Dan took over the final segment. Tonight I'll post some pics of the record-breaking car and owner when I get home from work. Again I had a great time meeting you guys and not only being there for the record breaking tank, but also being able to check out the 2nd highest-in-the-world insight LMPG and the HCH that averages in the 80s. I think just having my car near yours gave it incentive to average a solid 53MPG when driving 70-75 on the 255mi trip home.

All that aside, when's the next attempt at smashing this record? 12.78 gallons, that means you could go to 1500 easy! :P

-m.

[efusco]

These figures show average speeds of about 30 mph. I'd like to see how much pit stop time consumed, and total time not in motion. Just curious.

They averaged about 2 minutes per shift change, so probably a grand total of 30 minutes of 'stop time', not counting traffic lights and stop signs (which they kept a tally of but haven't posted a final tally of yet).

[krousdb]

Evan,
The shift changes took closer to 5 minutes each and there was a stop at each end.
Total Stop Signs 96
Total Traffic Light Stops: 300
Total Traffic Light Slowdowns (below 20 MPH): 174

Assume 1 minute for each stop light, 1/2 min for each stop sign and 11 shift changes, that comes to 403 mins or 6 hours. Subtract that from 47.75 hous and divide by 1397 miles.

That calculates to 34.1 MPH. Our target was 30-40 so that sounds about right.

Dan

Average speed

[CraigCSJ]

The Prius Marathon Run was great entertainment for me over the weekend. I applaud all of those participating. I hope the media picks it up to counter the articles saying the EPA figures can't be achieved.

I would sure like someone to describe in detail the driving technique used. I assume acceleration to about 40 mph was attempted so that no arrows showed to or from the battery, but how can this be achieved? Seldom can I do this from a standing start, as almost always current flows from the battery upon acceleration. I can accelerate until the ICE goes faster, then let off on the accelerator looking for the lack of arrows, or I can try for no arrows early on in acceleration, making for slow going. And how were you accelerating from 30 mph? Or, did you use quick acceleration, either from standing to 40 or 30 to 40, and if this was used, how quick? And after acceleration, when I try to go into glide, it seems that I must take my foot fully off the accelerator, wait until the green regeneration arrows show, and only then can I put light pressure on the accelerator to glide. Is there a way to minimize the slowing caused by regeneration? Or better yet, go into glide with no regeneration?

CraigCSJ 04 Driftwood #9BC

[ltu1542hvy]

In the Wishful Thinking department, it would be nice if someone could come up with a "glide mode switch mod" similar to the EV switch mod, where pulling a lever or pushing a button would put the car in glide mode without regen if the foot is left off of the accelerator.

Then again, not having this does give me a convenient excuse to ask my girlfriend for ankle/foot massages :mrgreen:

[v.jones]

You don't need a "glide mode switch mod" because you already have that function built in and enabled...To activate: Grab the gear shift knob. Push it straight to the left and hold until the "N" (as in "neutral") is circled on the dash indicator. You are now locked into glide mode. To exit glide mode, use the gear shift knob to select any other appropriate gear (presumeably drive or brake, but I suppose the next challenge will be the ultimate gas tank running in reverse

Disclaimer: you need to check your local DMV rules, as coasting in neutral is against the law in many states/jurisdictions.
--
Vince

[LOLGuy]

Congratulations, guys!!!!!


...and I thought 55.5MPG on my most recent tank was good.

Again, wonderful job to all!!!

[Ray Moore]

DMV rules are moot in this instance as there is absolutely no way to enforce this law.

[tomdeimos]

DMV rules are moot in this instance as there is absolutely no way to enforce this law.

What do these anti neutral laws actually say anyways? To me a neutral gear means you are disengageing some gear. I don't see how the law applies to a Prius.

In a Prius the N position would be closest to a regular car if it could switch open the engine valves on command and cut off the fuel supply.

And as far as these laws are concerned seems to me they worry about a conventional car taking too long to shift back or something? In a Prius I can get back to drive far quicker than I can downshift in a normal manual transmission car, so there is less danger of delaying any acceleration that might be needed.