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Originally Posted by Jesse
bwilson, wow, looks like you are one serious driver.... Great post, actually I think I recall seeing your graphs over on priuschat, no?
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Everyone is much happier now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse
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I understand the need for some benchmarking, but unless someone from around my area knows, I can't even think of a ten mile stretch of road around here(entire metro) that is flat. I will check the oil level, though. Never would have thought that would make much difference!
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It looks like your geography has a lot of former glacial artifacts. What I'd suggest is using a Google topology view. Often river bottoms will be fairly flat and have 'roads less traveled.' Also look West and Southwest. It may be a little over half an hour drive but that solves the warm-up and in summer time ... evenings. Oh boy!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse
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This is my current commute to work.
TinyURL.com - shorten that long URL into a tiny URL
I live in the northern metro of the twin cities. No real long flat areas, but they definitely aren't hilly either. I frequently see my instant mpg go from 70-80mpg on a relatively flat road(seems slightly downhill) and it will go down to 30mpg on the incline parts of the highways. Looks like I need to do more research, for some reason I expected to get more out of this car out of the box and my ignorance got the best of me! |
Good start! Look at alternative routes, perhaps starting with the trip home when you won't be under a time requirement. What you want to find is:
- shortest direct path - speeds of 40 mph or less and well timed lights. There are likely many options so scout first.
- constant speed, no stop route - something that is safe at 65 mph or less.
- hybrids of the above - think short cuts to get below 40 mph and longer segments at constant 55-65 mph speed, especially if you accelerate down to speed on an entrance ramp (aka., gravity assist) and slow down going up an exit (aka., gravity well.) Not many folks understand terrain driving and fewer are willing to discuss it openly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse
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I have already purchased a scangauge 2, bought it mainly for grill blocking. Before I start modding, think any of the information from that might help me with some baselines?
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Absolutly, the ScanGauge is going to help:
- ICE rpm - this is your primary indicator of engine efficiency. Good Prius Friend Hobbit has published his guidelines and I believe he considers 2,200 rpm to be the upper limit in the NHW20. With my earlier, NHW11, I use 2,600 rpm.
- ICE coolant temperature (C) - warm-up is critical to the different stages. Good Prius Friend Ken@Japan shared with us the for stages S1-4 and these are determined by ICE coolant temperature. It is so important that in cool and cold weather, I extend my neighborhood warm-up, ~25 mph, to avoid high power operation before the car is ready to be efficient in S4.
- gallons per hour - not per mile. This is your best indicator of whether or not the engine is in an efficient power band or mode.
- 4th display - any vehicle diagnostic information.
I would also recommend, when you have the time, lookup the NHW20 XGAUGE definitions. I understand there is an active community at PriusChat and CleanMPG trying to map out the definitions. Depending upon how you count them, you have 22-25 XGAUGEs and I believe having the diagnostic codes, critical engine, transmission, and battery metrics is the BEST use of the XGAUGE definitions. If you are away from home and 'something bad' happens, you have information needed to choose the best course of action. <wink>
Since you are closer to Madison than I, you might consider going to GreenCar Expo in July and seeing if you can connect with Good Prius Friend Firengineer. Part of the Chicago cabal, he is the 'Johnny Appleseed' of block heaters. I have one but only use it when temperature approach 40F. If you can run an extension cord to handle 500W, it can make your Yankee winter driving 'suck less.'
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson
ps. If you run into Eric Powers, feel free to mention my name. Eric is a long time friend of Hybrids and does a h*ll of a lot of heavy lifting.