Any interest in a 1,000 mi, tank club or contest?

This link should work:
Double Tank Mileage Contest | PriusChat

Bob Wilson

 

I'm open to suggests on the handicap table. Just my calculations show 2x an EPA tank range is achievable. We also know in 2005(?) a mileage record was set in an NHW20 in a team effort of over 1,200 miles. So there is precedent but it won't be easy.

If it were 'easy', it wouldn't be worth rewarding. A "PASS/FAIL" test does not mean trivial.

One thing I thought of last night, since we are using the trip meter to measure the fuel burn, <miles> / <MPG>, there is no requirement to start with a full tank. Just at some point, start with a zeroed trip meter. Each gallon of gas weights about 6 lbs/gallon. If you are trying to reduce weight, do 1/4 tanks and track the actual fuel burned using the trip meter.

JUST DON'T RESET THAT TRIP METER (my first attempt mistake last summer.)

Bob Wilson

 

Actually you convinced me that 1,000 miles or higher works. I was trying to come up with a handicap system for the non-hatchback Prius so 2x the tank range made sense.

I have to go back and check my numbers but I think we're close enough to make a reasonable set of rules that will keep it hard but fair.

Bob Wilson

 

I've updated the rules to clarify:

• Miles and fuel consumed come from the tripmeter photo - this means there is no need to overfill the tank or run it dry.
• Entrance posting details - please include your city/state/provence and any recommended Prius dealers. I want to contact them to see if they want to 'enhance' the award. This is entirely optional but may allow us to expand the number awards beyond my initial 10.
• Sketch of the windbreaker prize and details.
• Door prize for 1,000 mile / 1,600 kilometer tank - even if you don't reach the 2x range, you'll get a T-shirt.

Bob Wilson

 

I would not call this easier:

The earliest marathon drives were exactly as you described but it was a terrible waste of man hours.

I did this real tank, solo, in just under 3 weeks in July 2013 while working full-time:

Ken@Japan reported the Japanese have a 1,000 mile tank club with over 30 members. The trick is to dilute the warm-up. In my case, each trip always took at least 1 hour:

• 5 minutes - warm up
• 55 minutes - driving even if it meant 'doing laps'
• 60+ minutes lunch - doing laps to shorten the calendar time and preserve heat
• 2-4 hour loops on weekends - so it would end in less than three weeks

My driving strategy was fairly simple:

• 25-27 mph - target speed at all times on cruise control
• shifting into "N" - whenever possible with or without engine running
• tires as maximum sidewall - Sumitomo T4s at 51 psi which I use all the time
• measured tire vs GPS offset - less than 1%, actually under reported as more than 1,000.8 miles were covered . . . 0.1% error for 1,000 miles is 1 mile.
• three transaxle oil changes - reduce internal drag

To avoid road-rage, boredom, and fatigue:

• started day driving to work at 5 AM
• took lunch at 10 AM
• headed home at 2 PM
• use less traveled, 4 lane roads, watching following traffic:
  • right lane unless following traffic shows no evidence of passing
    • use "flash signal" to encourage following traffic to pass
  • switch left lane to let following traffic pass
  • signal and pull off road to let a slug of traffic pass
• use less traveled loops to run 25 mph durations
• iPad with all of our collected CDs
• water, canned espresso drinks, and 'finger food'
• comfortable clothes and shoes (5-toes or barefoot runners)
• stretching including pee and stretching breaks

Do the math and you'll notice my 1,000.8 miles was at an average speed of 22 mph, ~45 hours but it was my choice. I did not ask anyone else to spend unpaid labor in a driving stunt. I know where to find 'day labor' but for obvious reasons, I would have to stay in the passenger side to 'supervise' which makes taking a nap difficult. Might as well do it solo which following the minimum one hour for each trip makes practical.

There are folks who believe in: other driving strategies, tires, air filters, lubricants, temperature ranges, and certain gasolines. This is an excellent opportunity to prove their beliefs have merit. So my 2013 test confirmed:

• cruise control 25-27 mph and "N" when possible -> works and minimizes driver load
• Sumitomo T4s -> excellent low rolling resistance tires
• generic brand air-filter -> works
• lubricants -> changing transaxle oil works
• temperature range -> 60F to 90F works
• gasoline -> Costco generic E10 works

We often see advocates of other approaches announce their videos and frequent postings as if repetition is all it takes to 'make it true.' Here is a chance for those advocates to spend 45 hours demonstrating they actually practice what they preach (and get some relief!)

Bob Wilson