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Old 10-20-2011, 07:52 AM   #62 (permalink)
jime57
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Mid-Atlantic
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OurInsight - '06 Honda Insight
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Thanks Mike. I got essentially the same mileage on a very long run from Madison to Wheeling a few months back. That was before I had to buy new tires. The tires have lost me 2-4 MPG for now. I'm hoping for an early breakin.

The Insight design is a very sudtle tradeoff. Of course the regeneration helps recover lost energy on braking and decelleration, but that effect is very minimal on long runs like you spoke of. I'm familiar with the route you quote and it is almost totally flat. Therefore assist should very seldom activate. In other words, you are actually using the hybrid features very little. In addition, you are likely in lean burn most of the time, at those speeds.

As I said, IMO the manner in which the hybrid helps is subtle. It allows Honda to use a very small displacement engine, and have the needed reserve power on tap with assist. Most experienced folks think that actively using assist/regen damages fuel economy. Of course conventional wisdom can sometimes be wrong ;-)
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