Highlander Hybrid Impressions

[Sovereign]

I have figured out some things I'm not doing correctly (without even doing detailed tests, yet).

I think my "pulses" are both too aggressive and not taken high enough over the posted speed limit, so I spend 2/3 of my time pulsing and 1/3 gliding. That's probably not helping. Combined with the simple fact the HiHy is a bigger vehicle and cannot "glide" as far, P&G needs to be done much more carefully, if at all (see next paragraph).

My best MPG (34.1) made much heavier use of the traction battery than "P&G" does. Obviously, draining the TB means it has to be recharged, and while the ICE can do that, it defeats the point.

As a result, I will be testing the "Prius Method" but I doubt it will work best for the HiHy. So long as the TB isn't drained heavily and recharged by the ICE, I believe HiHy gets the best mileage when more electric power is used, but is regenerated. So, it looks more like "pulse, electric speed maintain, regenerate."

On the highway, I'm guessing P&G is my best bet though, because over 40MPH the engine insists on running.

[Sovereign]

Self-Bump
On a 34 mile trip (some of it caused by my poor sense of direction), I achieved the following.

This was extremely mixed, but I'd say more of it was actually higher-speed (40MPH and up) than lower.

[SentraSE-R]

You've got your work cut out for you to top 30 mpg over a full tank of gas, but you're likely the first to try seriously hypermiling the Highlander hybrid. In order to maintain my average, I need many 55-60 mpg trips to offset the occasional 35 mpg trip. You'll need 40 mpg trips to offset the occasional low 20 mpg trip.

I doubt you'll see any measurable benefit to P&G until your glide times are twice as long as your pulse times.

[bwilson4web]

Looks like you've achieved a best . . . no need to be subscribed to this thread.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

[Sovereign]

Just drove out almost to Boston (Weymouth, MA). Screen said 25-26MPG. Hand-calc at the pump says 24.5-25.5. Speed was 65-70MPH, loaded to the brim with 3 passengers and cargo because I'm moving to start my new job. Add a small-ish cartop carrier which reduces efficiency further. To get an idea of the load: it is so heavy that the back shocks (or whatever those are, I'm not a car guy) have 1" of clearance before hitting the tires. Oh, the A/C was on too.

This is an efficient little SUV as I was honestly expecting 20MPG. EPA says 25. They're doing it wrong :P

I wonder what I could get if I didn't have hundreds of extra pounds and a cartop carrier?