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SoCal Hypermilers!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Selzier, Oct 10, 2012.

  1. Selzier

    Selzier Whee!

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    Hello fellow hypermilers (if I can be considered a fellow hypermiler myself haha). I was wondering if there are any other Southern California Prius drivers out there struggling with being able to hypermile due to the driving dynamic of the area? Do you all have any tips?

    Just to give an idea of my typical commute, it is roughly (in terms of distance) 80% highway 20% local. I live in a suburbs of Camarillo and commute to West LA every day. I've read all the tips on maximizing gas mileage and for the most part I can follow them (such as the gentle starts, pulse and glide when available, coasting to stops, etc etc) but I noticed two things that hamper my ability to do these eco driving styles more often than "once in a while".

    The biggest one of my problems is other drivers! I don't know if it's just a Southern California thing but I have a really hard time driving even 65 mph on the freeway (mind you I'm ALWAYS in the far right lane and actually will drive 5 miles over the limit as most do here when there's only one lane in consideration of other drivers). You can forget about driving 55 even in the right lane. I actually had a run in with a fellow who attempted to start a fight with me because of my driving (again mind you I was in the far right line, 55mph, on a 5 lane freeway).

    Another question I had (and can't seem to find an answer to) is how to drive efficiently on long upslopes? The beginning part of my commute has me climbing a 7% grade for roughly 2.5 miles (anyone in the area knows of what I'm talking about when I refer to the Conejo Grade). Even at 55 mph and drafting behind a big rig (100 feet back for safety, of course!) the mileage is terrible. I doubt that there is, but does anyone know of a way to get better mileage going up these long slopes? I understand that I'm getting some of it back on my way home and I'm going down the hill but it doesn't average out well (from what I calculate going up at 55 mph and letting myself go back down free-fall or on "B" averages me about 42 mpg)

    Anyway when I am fortunate enough to drive the style I want without being harassed, followed, tailed, and/or assaulted, I noticed I can easily pull 60-70 mpg trips. Unfortunately I'm closer to about 52-54 due to being almost forced to drive 65-70 on the freeways and also a lot of anger from city folks when I'm putting around locally. Anyone have suggestions? Apparently being in a Prius doesn't give you any slack as I've been aggressively cut off by other Prii owners.

    I'm *almost* ready to just drive for maximum fuel economy and if someone wants to start something I'll just handle it then and there (sorry male ego) or call the police (more sensible part of my brain). Any tips would greatly be appreciated!

    P.S. If you all see a white 2012 liftback going 55 in the right lane on the 101 freeway cut me some slack!
     
    #1 Selzier, Oct 10, 2012
  2. BrianPB

    BrianPB Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Sylmar, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    V
    Hello! I'm pretty much in the same boat as you! I live in Santa Clarita and I commute to Los Angeles for work (34 miles each way), when I first got my prius I was only averaging about 45-50 mpg going 65-70. With some tweaks to my driving style and route I am now averaging about 56-60 mpg I used my phone to find different routes to the freeway and I found which one yields me the best mpg (maybe one less traveled so you won't be impeding traffic). I have found that using cruise controll helps a lot! When I'm going up a grade I have cruise set at 55 until I reach the crest then I set it at 60. I never used cruise before because I figured I could glide more and get better results, but that doesn't seem to be the case for me personally. And as far as the other drivers I just I usually just stay in the right lane and do my thing. When accelerating from a stop I usually go about 3/4 into the PWR range and there are still people on my tail... Whatever. I tinted my windows pretty dark so when other drivers try to glare at me they can't see me! Lol hope this helps!
     
    #2 BrianPB, Mar 14, 2013
  3. dimetech

    dimetech Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    P&G on the streets, cruise on the freeway. You can't avoid the hit from the conejo grade but using cruise control will level out you pushing the gas too much. Same thing for sepulveda pass. Pretty much anywhere in between on the 101 I get 50+ if I set the cruise around 60
     
    #3 dimetech, Mar 15, 2013
  4. kalome

    kalome Member

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    That's a tough one.
    I have traveled the 101 many times going to Santa Barbara so I know what you mean.
    Not much you can do with the drive from Camarillo towards Thousand Oaks with that long upslope. At least you can make it up on the way home with the steady downslope.

    From reading your post it's probably not worth hypermilimg on your commutes to work and back and does not sound safe.
    It is not worth getting in altercations with other drivers and you may cause an accident.
    I would drive normal and be happy with mid 40s mpg. It is still great gas mileage compared to most other vehicles on the road.
    On the weekends you can hypermile and may even push your average to low 50s mpg.

    Since I hypermile myself I hate to give that type of advice, but if I was in your situation I would probably say screw it and not hypermile to and from work.

    Edit - ha, just noticed this is an old post but with the new replies thought it was new and clicked on it.
    Maybe you can let us know how everything is going since you posted this.
     
    #4 kalome, Mar 24, 2013
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortunately, selzier is no longer with us...
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 24, 2013
  6. kalome

    kalome Member

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    What do you mean...what happened?
     
    #6 kalome, Mar 24, 2013
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