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Suggested summer cabin temperature to maximize MPG and battery life?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by StephenFromCT, Jul 26, 2019.

  1. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Well I’ll be putting the back seat bench, seat backs and all the trunk covers back into the car. Didn’t realize I was menace on the road hypermiling. :eek:
     
    #21 Grit, Jul 28, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
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  2. Archie168

    Archie168 New Member

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    Hello all, how are you doing? i have a question. can i use hyper-lube super coolant to add in to engine coolant and hybrid coolant to keep them cooler ? thanks you.
     
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  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    The calculation is simply total miles driven on the displayed Trip gauge (A or B), divided by gallons of fuel used over that distance. Unfortunately its measure of fuel used is just slightly off.

    For accurate whole tank MPG, use Rebound's method. But also, compare the calculation at his step (5) to what the MPG display says before you reset it for the next tank. The display will usually be a bit 'optimistic' by 3 to 10%, but check to get a guideline for your car.

    For shorter distances between refills, use the other trip gauge (A or B), reset it at the start, and read the MPG value at the end of said trip. Remember that it will slightly optimistic, mentally adjust of the error you saw when refueling (above). You can reset and measure every trip, every trip segment, every day, or whatever pattern you wish, without having to wait for the next refueling. Just don't get mentally scrambled and clear the wrong Trip meter, the one you intend for measuring MPG at refueling time.

    By resetting just before a trip, you will find that when starting out on a cold engine, MPG begins horribly low, then keeps improving as the engine warms, the trip gets longer, and the cold-start penalty gets spread out over more miles. You can also reset a gauge during a trip after the engine is warmed to find what MPG it is really doing after warmup.
     
    #23 fuzzy1, Jul 28, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2019
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I think you have a much too narrow view of what hypermiling really is. Especially when your very next sentence and paragraphs go on to recommend a number of its elements.

    Uncle Wayne's menu of hypermiling choices is very large, pick however many or few fit your circumstances. But too many people focus on just a couple controversial items and use those an excuse to demonize the whole field.
     
  5. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Remember, that term was coined from an argument with me. That very specific first ever mention in a post way back in history was when the fight was about how superior a Corolla was to Prius. He was dead set against hybrids. He later discovered how well thought out Toyota's approach actually was and changed his tune rather profoundly. In fact, he even very politely apologized years later when we met in Detroit. So, of course the view is far wider now.

    The original problem still remains though. Promoting a driving technique or approach to squeeze out greater efficiency sends a confusing & misleading message to ordinary consumers. Setting realistic expectations is how mainstream buyers are reached. Hypermiling does not. That is what enthusiasts do. So, it is very important for everyone to understand what actually takes place.

    By looking a wider view to recognize the concept, you make the situation worse. That fundamental flaw has never been overcome.
     
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  6. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    fuzzy1 logic was simple, he stated not to lump all hypermiling techniques as deadly or puts other motorists lives in danger. Not all techniques are deadly or let alone even cause a wreck.
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    All that was before my time, and appeared to be settled before I reached the scene.

    By the time I came on, the menu was more broad than an enthusiasts-only list, and covered numerous items that mainstream drivers should be doing and checking, if they could manage to set aside their impatience and driving aggressiveness.
     
  8. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Not identifying what those techniques actually are is the problem. Being vague contributes was always the underlying issue. It should be crystal clear at this point. Remember, that all took place prior to gen-2 of Prius rollout. Not being concise confirms understanding is still a challenge. Keep in mind, the goal is to grow the market. That means reaching out to a new audience... which cannot require any assumptions.

    In other words, simple is not always a good thing. We must seek & promote a balance. Wisdom from owners is what sends the strongest message. I suggest only mentioning techniques we want to endorse and not even bother with labels. The term serves no benefit anymore.

    Think about how worthless the label of "hybrid" has become. It's too simple.
     
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Hey, Archie. I'm not sure what that has to do with the topic of this thread. I recommend you start a new one with your question so people can find it. My personal opinion is that the Toyota SLLC does the job very well and adding other chemicals to it won't help and may harm the system. But put this in a new thread on the Gen 3 forum and see what the others think. (y)
     
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What he said. Toyota Super Long Life Coolant is one safe bet, and this is something you do VERY infrequently. Toyota's not adamant you use it, but they come out with a long list of requirements for alternatives. This is maybe one time to stick with toyota product.
     
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  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Driving reasonably and safely delivers great mileage. In my view, that’s not hypermiling. Driving 48MPH on a freeway, drafting behind semis, and stuff like that is hypermiling, and I think it’s unproductive.

    By all means, disagree. It’s only the Internet.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hi arch!
    doing well thank you. how are you?
     
  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    By the time I came on this scene, 48 mph highway speeds and drafting semis were very clearly off Wayne's list, with even a special warning thread against drafting. While a number of things you list back in post #20 were on his menu.

    It seems that various people have mutually exclusive or non-overlapping definitions of the term.
     
  14. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    What happens on the internet, stays on the internet. You can't kill outdated content. Someone will stumble across what you thought had been long abandoned and pass it on as if it was new. That's an unfortunate reality... and the reason why I request explicit detail. It ensures our new owners don't get bad info.
     
  15. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Yes, especially if
    Your trip is not short, or
    It's sunny, or
    You must brake repeatedly within a short time, or
    Heater is on (in winter).

    On a long trip without much braking, battery tends to run roughly 25 degrees F above interior temperature, at best.
     
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  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    My work commute is an hour one way, country side minimal braking w/mornings now upper in 60s. In my car, it’s usually 76-78F inside driving with windows cracked down. With no morning AC, hv is typically 80F after the commute. Y.temp.M.V.
     
  17. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    It is true that the displayed mpg is not very accurate. However, it is very consistent, thus accurate after you apply an appropriate correction factor, and more practical for quick tests than the classic fill-up method.

    "Hypermiling" is dangerous if you misuse the term---which you are.
     
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  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    That's plausible. Battery temperature takes well over one hour to stabilize, in my experience.
     
  19. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    What’s the term for driving with the cabin temp set to 80F with the windows rolled up to maximize mileage?
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I'm old enough to remember when having AC in a vehicle was considered a luxury.
    So I guess my applicable philosophy, is asking oneself "Why do we have AC?".
    I think the answer is to keep ourselves comfortable on hot days.

    So really? I wouldn't overthink usage. It's up to the individual. When I had my Prius? I went with the idea that if I was comfortable in the Cabin, then the battery was being cooled enough. So I set and used the air conditioning based on what made me comfortable.

    There is some MPG loss and cost to AC usage, but honestly, with the Prius? I never really noticed a huge hit. It definitely was worth it to me to simply use the "luxury" when I felt I wanted to use it.

    That being said, I live in an area where it's rather temperate, and overall in a year, we're talking about cooler temperatures more than really hot temperatures. We do get summer, and usually a period or two or three of really hot spells, but it's not like living in some areas where it's hot nearly every day.
    If I lived in an environment where it being hot for extended periods was the norm? I might adjust my AC usage approach. But for me? I felt and still do feel, my only needed applicable parameter for usage, is does it make me feel comfortable?

    The other aspect I think doesn't get evaluated, is I know I tend to be a more aggressive driver, if I'm in a vehicle where the cabin temperature is hot. I tend to feel I want to move, just to keep moving and get air circulating. This can be bad. So I also feel, using the air conditioning to be comfortable in your vehicle, can be a safety issue. I know I'm more relaxed, and WON'T be focusing on the heat, if I use my air conditioning. Being comfortable and being able to focus on just driving safely, is important and I think air conditioning aids in this manner.
     
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