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Hypermiling the PiP

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by chesleyn, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    So today I had to drive 30 miles to see a client on the West Side of LA. 23.5 miles of freeway driving on the 405 fwy through the south bay up to La Cienega just east of LAX. I drove 65 miles per hour keeping RPMs between 1400-2200 as per technofandom.org
    AVG mpgs on the scan gauge was ~80 mpg. The last 7 miles I used up my EV with about a mile remaining. Arrived getting 90 mpg.

    Charged around the corner while eating lunch ~1 hour at West Hollywood Public Library -- cost $1 using Blink -- and had SOC at 75% for my return trip.

    EV back down to 405 freeway, blend of EV and HV in heavy 2pm traffic heading southbound. Arrived home with no EV and trip B (which I had reset at the beginning of my journey) displaying 130 MPG for the complete trip. So in the ~60 mile journey up and back I only used 1/2 gallon of gas.

    Man I love this car. (y)
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  3. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

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    I see you upgraded your Blink account :)
     
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  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Waiting for NY to install more chargers. The more chargers available, the better PiP gets.
     
  5. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

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    Nice! I just sent in for my green HOV sticker and can't wait to cruise on the 405. Great mpg especially on the route you took.
     
  6. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Airstream, I did use the HOV lane on return trip when traffic was heavy. Otherwise I avoid that lane as many Southern California drivers use it as their personal faster than 75 mph lane and will tailgate you at extreme close lengths if you dare get in front of them.


    iPad ? HD
     
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  7. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    In a few words please tell me how you keep the rpm between 1400 and 2200 at 65 mph? You have only one control, the accelerator pedal. The car decides the speeds for the ICE and two motors. So you must be using some speed variations that average 65 mph, sort of like pluse and glide but with the ICE running between those two rates. The article you referenced has too many words o_O
     
  8. Bonefish Blues

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    I too would like the idiot's guide please :(
     
  9. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I think you mean "Dummy's Guide" ;)
     
  10. Bonefish Blues

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    Truly we are separated by a common language :) I must hasten away and get a rubber to erase that post :whistle:
     
  11. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Do you have a scan gauge? Honestly I had really no issues keeping rpm in that range. Except for when I was getting up to 65 to get on the fwy.


    iPad ? HD
     
  12. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    Yes, but I don't have an opportunity to do an experiment at the moment. It seems that on a flat smooth highway with no wind you will get an average mpg and rpm for a given speed. As I recall 65mph gets about 50mph or somewhat less.
     
  13. chesleyn

    chesleyn Active Member

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    Air up your tires. 65 mph yields 60-80 mpg for me. Or m I the only one?


    iPad ? HD
     
  14. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    40psi. I guess you are the only one :)
     
  15. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Um...flat roads, no wind, at 65...will never yield over 65 mpg. Sorry.
     
  16. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

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    I was able to get ~65mpg at 65mph today on the flats.
     
  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Flat to us isn't that flat in the prius. Any small change of elevation will affect it. Same with wind.

    These aren't just my random numbers. They have been thoroughly tested.
     
  18. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

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    I agree, the car works noticeably harder as you watch the mpgs go down on any slight elevation change. Anyone ever use an inclenometer to measure incline grades and mpg? Would be an interesting study.
     
  19. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I find the top line on this graph to be very consistent with my results on a long highway run with little wind where the elevation only changes a few feet with overpasses and the like. Head to Head C-MAX MPG shootout vs. Prius liftback & Prius v | PriusChat Around 62 mpg at 55 mph and 52 mpg at 65 mph.

    Some older data shows much the same results here Graphics of average fuel economy vs speed | PriusChat

    With my "small elevation changes" definition of "flat" I find that a 20 mph wind will make a Big difference in mpg. Not much you can do about that :)
     
  20. Airstream

    Airstream Junior Member

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    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1373842971.119605.jpg

    BTW, I don't have a scan gauge so I was basing my estimates on this.
     
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