Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
There's the key point.
If you throw in another pulse, and the light does in fact change to red, you're forced to brake (or run it, if you're igo  ) - and probably brake pretty hard. Gas in --> brake dust out = FE nightmare.
If you keep gliding and the light does in fact change to red, you're far better off than if you had pulsed & braked (since in this scenario, I mentioned you would pretty much coast to a stop at the intersection anyway).
I really did face this situation a few drives back. As it turned out, the light *didn't* change to red on the approach, so I ended up re-applying power just as I got to the intersection (having almost coasted down to zero).
It's a completely bizarre, non-intuitive tactic to use. Green means go, right? Yet there I was, coasting nearly to a stop facing of a green light (NOTE! Not affecting any other drivers.) But if max mpg is the goal, only a predictable green means go. |
Waste no inertia is my basic rule. The Insight fuel economy display clearly shows a significant loss in average mileage from a single forced stop from any decent speed, with the resulting acceleration from the forced stop.
Gliding is your best friend when it comes to extracting the best possible mileage. The key to your scenario is knowing you can coast to a virtual stop regardless of the light condition.
I would only pulse when I knew I could make it through the intersection safely and without any legal risk.
I always give myself plenty of time to reach my destination, so there is no impulse to push for time saving.
regards
Mech