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This is a huge thread and I hope I'm not repeating the obvious...
I drove a Scion xb that had instantaneous mpg display.
Much to my shock, it became crystal clear that mpg was a simple function of Throttle Position. So if you wanted to drive at a constant 45 mpg, you would set your throttle position to get that mpg and simply hold it up and down hills.
So for constant mpg, a simple hand control would be the proper controller.
That Scion was capable of over 50 mpg on the flat but it was impossible to hold such a small throttle setting with my foot. The cruise control was like using a sledge hammer and would pump the throttle all over the place.
With this knowledge, when I had to drive through a valley (down hill, up hill) I would guess what throttle position at the start would get me over the top of the hill at 35-40 mph.
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Another way to take advantage of this relationship would be to modify an existing cruise control so that you could limit max throttle position. My guess is that an adjustable mechanical stop might work assuming the cruise is not all electronic fly by wire. So you could have a "hand max stop control."
It is somewhat ironic that cruise control in OBDII cars is so primitive.
Regards,
Tom
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