64 MPG in Denver

Woah, that's really really good. Congratulations on your accomplishments. Also, that mileage for your 2007 is extremely well indeed. Was this the MPG you calculated at the pump? Or off of the display? The display tends to read a little high than the actual numbers you are getting. Either way, great work.

 

The dash MPG is off by a percentage not by 2 or 3 or 4 mpg. It may seem like it's off by a few mpg when your average is 50-60mpg. Those with PHEV kit that regularly get 99.9mpg see difference as much as 8 or 9 mpg off.

 

it's the nitrogen. probably the greatest advance inmpg's in the history of mpg advances. and it's CHEAP!

 

How can pure nitrogen in the tires help fuel economy? Isn't Nitrogen in 74%~ of the air already? As long as your pressure is always maintained, how does it help so much? Where can I get pure nitrogen in my tires?

 

most everybody is offering it these days.

 

Alright, but what makes it so good? Besides the fact that my tires may maintain the proper pressures longer?

 

I saw a video somewhere explaining why pure nitrogen is recommended. If you use regular compressor, there's water build up that'll get pumped into the tire. The water will rust and damage the TPMS sensor. Tires pumped with nitrogen won't have this problem.

 

I regularly get 62 mpg on my daily drive, best is 67. That's with or without AC, doesn't seem to effect my mileage.

I've always gotten better than the EPA mileage with my vehicles. I attributed it to the altitude, less O2 means vehicles use less gas. But, what do I know?

 

Running on battery as much as possible is generally not a good strategy, as it involves multiple energy conversion losses. A Pulse & Glide pattern with minimum battery use will usually do better -- pulse on the gas engine to bring the car up to speed, then coast unpowered a while with the HSI bar at or near zero.

In the real world, terrain and traffic may call for more electric assist to extend some glides to better fit the situation. But don't spend a significant fraction of your driving time with the HSI bar showing strong electric-only propulsion.

Your maximum speed limit of 40 fits very well with Pulse & Glide, which is especially effective in GenIII at and below 45 mph, after the engine warms to operating temperature. Without AC or long steep downhills, 70 mpg (displayed) should be within reach.

 

Nothing ... he's kidding ....

REV

 

Actually..I believe it is the air, or lack of, that accounts for increased mileage at high altitudes. Modern fuel injected motors automatically lean the fuel/air mixture at higher altitudes. Less air means less fuel used.
I had noticed a gradual increse in fuel economy (in a Toyota powered RV) heading west from Florida until I reached the continental divide, then once on the western side the fuel economy returned to normal.

 

we are getting 58-62 at sea level with A/C use, so yours b/c of the higher altitude?

the trick with A/C to set it to highest possible temps (85 or external, whichever lower), recirculate and run fan at ~35-40%. This actually produces better MPG then open windows at above 50MPH

 

Modern fuel injected engines should run a constant air/fuel mixture, regardless of altitude.

Thinner air helps two ways at on pre-hybrids: Less air drag on the highway, and less part-throttle pumping loss in the engine, due to lower intake vacuum. Hybrids with Atkinson cycle engines have much less of the later, so should get less improvement at high altitude.