First-time Prius owner, looking for hypermiling tips

In variable speed traffic, I see numerous commercial trucks hanging back like that as standard operating procedure. Some cars will do the same. A certain fraction of passenger vehicles having a strong compulsion to get around them, but many others let it be.

The typical response to this seems to be a strong function of local driving culture. I know that my area has a less aggressive, more forgiving culture than many other areas, such as SoCal. Your NorCal location is probably somewhere in between.

 

i found nor cal to be 70-80 mph in the right lane.

 

Maybe they need to instate the "law abiding" lane?

 

what a great sign that would be along our roads:

LAW ABIDING CITIZENS

PLEASE KEEP TO THE RIGHT

 

I know.

For the crazy folks that: leave home 5~10 minutes early, drive patiently, keep a safe following distance, abide by those signs with numbers. Even get better mpg.

 

This afternoon I took the long freeway off ramp. I saw a Green light ahead to turn right onto the road. I was coasting for much longer than I normally would since no one was behind. I braked a little to negotiate the turn. After I got off the brakes, the light turned yellow right at the point where I might make it over the limit line, might not. I choose to go through the light, coasting through it, but my tires were probably on the limit line while light turned Red. I knew it. Sure enough as I was going a hundred yards up the road, there was a city police car coming up behind me. No lights on but I wouldn't have been surprised to get pulled over. I didn't.

To sum it up: the desire to coast much more than usual (my attempt at hypermiling), I ended up pretty much running a right turn Red light.

I will switch over to driving how I normally drive. To me, not worth it to coast extra, keep the momentum, hypermile. If I get a citation, that will offset MANY gallons of gas I might have saved.

 

i have read about people speeding up to beat a light and having an accident. and also cases of people being poisoned in restaurants.

 

I gave just my personal account and opinion of my understanding and attempt at hypermiling from what I've seen on videos. I don't have any more time or interest in the subject, but for the rest of you, enjoy your hypermiling.

 

have done, will do! but not on cali highways!

 

(1) Yes,
(2) No, Gen3 SHM is much less useful than in the Gen2 Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid. My short description would be that a comparison of the BSFC (brake specific fuel consumption) charts for Gen2 and Gen3 show that the peak efficiency operating zone was broadened (or flattened) quite substantially in the Gen3, so there is much less benefit to be gained by trying to operate exactly at the peak.

 

Keep searching CleanMPG for the Gen3 SHM details, they are recorded there somewhere. I have a note from there floating around in my glovebox, but haven't bothered trying for it in years.

 

I just got back from a 2600 mile round trip to Erie,Pa. from Dallas. Northern route on way up fairly flat. tires at 40/40 used cruise control speed 75 to 80+ mph. Got 46 mpg. Way back southern route mountains and hills all they way back. same speed and cruise control. tires at 35/35. Got 44 mpg. Got into lots of rain and storms up and back. Car handled the same with lower psi in tires. ride smother , quieter, and same wet traction. Drove car like i would any car. No difference in mpg with city driving at lower psi in tires. higher pressure in front tires is always recommended because front of car is heavier. You won't notice any dif in handling unless you run really low psi.

 

Maybe somebody the officer's family drives a Prius, so he showed mercy upon you.