do you find yourself hypermiling a non-hybrid?

You were doing it wrong.

What site encouraged close drafting, and CC on those ramps?

 

The most important thing I learned from the Hypermiling discussion last year at the 2GoB4 get together here in the NE, was occasionally to just "let it go", in circumstances where it might be dangerous, just LET IT GO! It is never, ever worth getting into an accident over!!!

 

I did get even better mpg's following the semis. But, it takes nerves of steel to do it. The draft behind the truck will really pull you along with it. I never, ever did that with my family with me, either. The ole lady would have beat me with her hand bag.

I can take off ramps at 50 to 55 if no one is on it with me. It's a laugh to just hammer down and watch the other cars just fall behind. My apologies to any BMW owners, they seem to be the only ones to try to stay with me.

Wayne Gerdes has wrote many articles about how he hypermiles in ANY car. He's the guy that I read about getting fantastic mileage with his wife's Accord.

I found out that the biggest change in my Prius gas mileage was to clean the air flow meter. The crud and gunk just sent garbage info the the Powertrain Control Unit. After cleaning I saw a 3 to 5 mile per gallon increase. Use Google or YouTube to see how to DIY. It worked for me.

 

How often did you do that, how many miles?

 

Honestly Mendel, about once every six months or so. The first time, it had never been cleaned. The fluid that dripped out was black. Next time, six months later, is was less black with more of a look like black ink in water.

At any of the auto supply stores, get spray throttle body cleaner. There are two small Phillips head screws that hold it to the throttle body, and one plug. I cleaned it then let it air dry ( so I wouldn't set a code and get the red triangle of death).

It worked, and throttle response was a lot better, too. I really didn't check the miles. Our fuel has so much hidden crap in it. Its just amazing the carbon leftovers we get in our fuel, and I've always used Top Tier fuel in mine since day one. I had a fuel tank rust out from the inside out. No Speedway or Marathon fuel ever, unless its that or walk. Then I'd buy enough to get to a Top Tier station. Check on gasbuddy.com and you will see what I mean.

 

I think there's a special fluid for Mass Air Flow sensor. Not sure how critical it is to use it, you seem to have survived. It's cleaner, doesn't leave a film?

On ours I've just cleaned the throttle body a couple of times, basically wetting a cloth with carb cleaner, swabbing the throat and the throttle plate. Used q-tips a bit too, to get in the corners. No direct spray. I didn't touch the MAF sensor as yet. But then, only a paltry 56000 km, lol.

 

You're right, Mendel. Most cleaners will leave a residue. Mass Air Flow sensor cleaner works very well. The way the MAF is designed, you can't clean it good enough when it's in the throttle body. Just unscrew it an clean it, don't be afraid. Just unplug it, clean it, let it dry and fasten it back in place. Google it or YouTube it. That bubble on a wire is what needs your attention. It may never get totally clean but anything is a help.

 

I "hypermile" without thinking about it much. This week I have been in rushes so heavy gas has taken my mileage low but before this my average has been 51 overall. I have had tankfuls at 54. When I see less than 50 I know I'm doing something wrong. I get annoyed anytime I try speeding up and letting it slow. I just take everything gradually. I keep a light touch on the peddle, enough to maintain whichever speed I need. This car loves going 65 to 70. It smooths, it hums, and it doesn't take much gas.

I started a style of driving in my first car which I knew reduced gas consumption. If I let the foot up on the gas I find how much I really do not need.

Here are some ideas I like. When using cruise control, cut it when on an upward grade. Keeping cruise control on while climbing puts the rpm's high. Cut the cruise control at that time and the rpm's will be lower.

Simulate a manual transmission with the gas peddle. What you do determines what internal gear is being run at. You want a higher gear as soon as possible. It is in the higher gear at lower speeds that kicks in the EV. I get EV as high as 45mph sometimes. My overall rate is around 30% of a drive.

The Eco Score screen is great. The tachometer may not have numbers on it but the red zone called power should be called danger. Danger you are burning gas, danger you are overworking the engine. When sharp accelerating is done I release and pump up to get the speed after it is in that zone. If I can not avoid that zone then I would go back and forth in and out of it.

 

But does he encourage close drafting, and CC on the ramps? I don't recall him doing so.

 

I had never heard of hypermiling until I joined this site this week. No, I don't hypermill non-hybrids, don't hypermill my Prius C either. Turn on cruise control and let it do its job. I hate drivers which speed up/slow down, speed up/slow down on the interstate-they are an accident waiting to happen and usually cause bottlenecks. CC allow coasting when needed (downhills), adds gas when going up hill, and maintains a more constant speed than I can do without cc.

 

My idea if hypermiling is largely the avoidance of unneeded gas use, coasting to red lights, anticipating slow downs ahead, minimizing brake use.

 

No, he certainly doesn't. In fact, he [Gerdes] regularly rants against close drafting, and discourages use of cruise control during serious "hypermiling" (a term I believe he claims to have invented), much less on exit ramps.