Something for nothing?!

mootsman · 08-01-2006, 07:38 PM

Caveat:
Yes, I have used the search function to try and answer most of my tech questions about my new Prius. Unfortunately it appears that there is a wealth of good info but it is scattered all over the site -- IS THERE A FAQ ANYWHERE?

Anyhow, my question: I live in a hilly/rolling area with few flats; however there is a one mile flat that I frequently ride -- and it is flat as I can tell from my inclinometer on my bike. So, I can speed quickly up to about 45 and then hold 38 for the entire mile without the ICE kicking in at all. No big deal....but there are no arrows either -- it's like I'm running on nothing. If I ever ever so lightly increase the "throttle" the electric motor will kick in. But what's happening with no arrows are showing? Is this some sort of elevated nirvana state for the Prius? Thanks for any info.

Godiva · 08-01-2006, 07:52 PM

yes, it is Prius Nirvana.

Try searching under "pulse and glide".

MarinJohn · 08-01-2006, 08:14 PM

grasshopper, people spend lifetimes to achieve what you have.

**Tideland Prius** · 08-01-2006, 09:07 PM

Yep, it's called gliding - the term used to describe the state in which the car is in motion with the engine off and no arrows to or from the battery. It is, essentially, a free ride and the best way to boost mileage. Of course, glide long enough and you'll still see the battery bars disappear as the A/C and fan uses some power.

prez1 · 08-01-2006, 09:28 PM

But what's happening with no arrows are showing? Is this some sort of elevated nirvana state for the Prius? Thanks for any info.

Welcome to the free energy ride. I hit this every time I drive on a certain flat stretch of road out in the country.

withersea · 08-01-2006, 10:17 PM

I saw it for the first time today. Extremely thrilled by it. My wife thinks I'm nuts.

jamarimutt · 08-01-2006, 10:21 PM

It is extremely easy to glide with no arrows showing, I do it all time... by shifting to neutral.

eagle33199 · 08-02-2006, 10:39 AM

the glide is normally *fairly* easy to do at any speeds below 41 MPH, if you take the time to learn to feather the accelerator pedal correctly, which you seem to have done. At higher speeds, it is extremely difficult (try it on a downhill -have no arrows when you start down the hill at 40MPH, watch your speed climb and without moving your foot you'll start getting yellow arrows from the batteries to the motora dn then to the wheels), but still doable with a ton of practice (i get it occasionally in the 50 MPH range, mostly luck still)

08-01-2006, 07:38 PM	#1
mootsman Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 108 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Caveat: Yes, I have used the search function to try and answer most of my tech questions about my new Prius. Unfortunately it appears that there is a wealth of good info but it is scattered all over the site -- IS THERE A FAQ ANYWHERE? Anyhow, my question: I live in a hilly/rolling area with few flats; however there is a one mile flat that I frequently ride -- and it is flat as I can tell from my inclinometer on my bike. So, I can speed quickly up to about 45 and then hold 38 for the entire mile without the ICE kicking in at all. No big deal....but there are no arrows either -- it's like I'm running on nothing. If I ever ever so lightly increase the "throttle" the electric motor will kick in. But what's happening with no arrows are showing? Is this some sort of elevated nirvana state for the Prius? Thanks for any info. __________________ The Old Home Page

08-02-2006, 10:39 AM	#8
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,006 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	the glide is normally fairly easy to do at any speeds below 41 MPH, if you take the time to learn to feather the accelerator pedal correctly, which you seem to have done. At higher speeds, it is extremely difficult (try it on a downhill -have no arrows when you start down the hill at 40MPH, watch your speed climb and without moving your foot you'll start getting yellow arrows from the batteries to the motora dn then to the wheels), but still doable with a ton of practice (i get it occasionally in the 50 MPH range, mostly luck still) __________________

08-01-2006, 07:52 PM	#2
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 8,867 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 3 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	yes, it is Prius Nirvana. Try searching under "pulse and glide".

08-01-2006, 08:14 PM	#3
MarinJohn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 1,929 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	grasshopper, people spend lifetimes to achieve what you have.

08-01-2006, 09:07 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,370 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 10	Yep, it's called gliding - the term used to describe the state in which the car is in motion with the engine off and no arrows to or from the battery. It is, essentially, a free ride and the best way to boost mileage. Of course, glide long enough and you'll still see the battery bars disappear as the A/C and fan uses some power.

08-01-2006, 09:28 PM	#5
prez1 Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: decatur, illinois Posts: 69 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	But what's happening with no arrows are showing? Is this some sort of elevated nirvana state for the Prius? Thanks for any info. Welcome to the free energy ride. I hit this every time I drive on a certain flat stretch of road out in the country.

08-01-2006, 10:17 PM	#6
withersea DNF is better than DNS Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: TN Posts: 1,145 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 2	I saw it for the first time today. Extremely thrilled by it. My wife thinks I'm nuts.

08-01-2006, 10:21 PM	#7
jamarimutt Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 972 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	It is extremely easy to glide with no arrows showing, I do it all time... by shifting to neutral.