Hypermiling for dummies

[octavia]

Ahhhh.... The ancient art of hypermiling. I've heard mention of this wise and mysterious technique but alas, what is it? Where does a young prius pup find such wisdom in the great vast world of priuschat?

(I've done a search and can't seem to find a thread that explains what it is and how to do it)

[royrose]

Originally Posted by octavia

Ahhhh.... The ancient art of hypermiling. I've heard mention of this wise and mysterious technique but alas, what is it? Where does a young prius pup find such wisdom in the great vast world of priuschat?

(I've done a search and can't seem to find a thread that explains what it is and how to do it)

Here is a link to a hypermiling web site, not Prius specific. The link is to their intro page. Read that, then go to their home page for more info.

Welcome to CleanMPG Primer - CleanMPG Forums

[Mark57]

They also have a detailed article here Beating the EPA - The Why’s and How to Hypermile - CleanMPG Forums

[jay_man2]

Is there an actual list of hypermiling tips?

2010 Prius Preview: A Hypermiler's perspective | PriusChat

Hypermiling rewards are just not worth the risks: AutoWeek Magazine

[octavia]

thanks!!

[ken1784]

"Pulse & Glide" is the key technique for Hypermilers.
Following is a copy of my post for Gen3 Prius specific.

-----
In Japan, we have been discussing how to pulse&glide on the 3G Prius.

Our conclusion is we don't have to be so sensitive for the zero amp (no energy flow) gliding and a weak battery use is acceptable, therefore 0-25% zone on the HSI screen is acceptable.
Also, a slow acceleration is not good for the ICE efficiency, therefore 75-100% zone is recommended for pulsing.

Ken@Japan

[anne1965]

Originally Posted by ken1784

"Pulse & Glide" is the key technique for Hypermilers.
Following is a copy of my post for Gen3 Prius specific.

-----
In Japan, we have been discussing how to pulse&glide on the 3G Prius.

Our conclusion is we don't have to be so sensitive for the zero amp gliding and a weak battery use is acceptable, therefore 0-25% zone on the HSI screen is acceptable.
Also, a slow acceleration is not good for the ICE efficiency, therefore 75-100% zone is recommended for pulsing.

Ken@Japan

I find the battery to be depleting too much when I do this. Therefore, I glide with as close to 0 amp as possible, and pulse less powerful to maintain the battery level. I mainly do P&G on the last 2.5 km coming home from work and do not want to park it with an almost depleted battery to prevent the 3-min recharge penalty.

What is your experience?

[rachaelseven]

Originally Posted by anne1965

I find the battery to be depleting too much when I do this. Therefore, I glide with as close to 0 amp as possible, and pulse less powerful to maintain the battery level. I mainly do P&G on the last 2.5 km coming home from work and do not want to park it with an almost depleted battery to prevent the 3-min recharge penalty.

What is your experience?

My experience is similar. If I don't keep my glides near zero, I gradually deplete the battery and end up with really crappy mileage on the next trip, especially if its a short trip, since I have to do so much recharging while the engine is cold. I do the pulse right up to the top of the ECO range, as suggested here, but I try to glide at 0 or just slightly positive or negative, depending on the battery SOC.

[octavia]

Originally Posted by ken1784

"Pulse & Glide" is the key technique for Hypermilers.
Following is a copy of my post for Gen3 Prius specific.

-----
In Japan, we have been discussing how to pulse&glide on the 3G Prius.

Our conclusion is we don't have to be so sensitive for the zero amp gliding and a weak battery use is acceptable, therefore 0-25% zone on the HSI screen is acceptable.
Also, a slow acceleration is not good for the ICE efficiency, therefore 75-100% zone is recommended for pulsing.

Ken@Japan

Thank you, this is helpful.

Coming from a point of knowing nothing about this, it can be hard to really understand the in-depth threads written and contributed to by those of you who already understand and have been doing this for a while. Y'all are fine tuning things and I am still trying to figure out what the heck is going on!

I knew nothing of it until a few days ago.

I've been driving my friends Gen II. I've noticed that I can effect the kind of mileage I get by how I drive. I've (not knowing that "hypermiling" exists yet) been experimenting to try and improve the mpg. I keep edging it higher and higher. My friend noticed the higher numbers and asked me if I was hypermiling. " Hyperwhat?" ...
I had NO CLUE there was a term for what I was, in a very primitive way, trying to do.
I was very proud when I got it to 45.1 Then.... My friend drives it and knocks it back down to 44.something.
I'm frustrated that I can't force the battery to kick in when it is full or near full and the darn thing is still sucking gasoline.

As you can probably tell, I'm still at a very beginner level with this, hence the name of the thread.

[SageBrush]

Octavia, good to see another person intrigued by hypermiling. I'll take a bit different tack, though, and suggest that the first stage to enlightment is learning to minimize brake use by anticipatory driving. This has very little to do with hybrid per se, but is essential to 60+ mpg fuel economy in the Prius.

Once you are coasting to red lights, turns, and cars ahead with you and only requiring minimal braking, you are ready for Pulse and Glide (P&G).

Cheers, and have fun!