Climbing a mountain
Ever since having needed to commute daily to work last month, I've been inspired to start hypermiling.
It may not be very impressive, but I took as much from the tips as I could on the recent trip from Orange County to Yosemite.
Trip: 3 days
1585km/ 985 miles and only I could drive.
Toyota Yaris auto (rental car)
Highway Rating: 36 mpg (6.53 L/100km)
Actual: 46.85 mpg (5.02 L/100km)
On the way back, I found this tour bus which was a godsend: he was doing 70 mph and extremely steady, hardly braking on the downhill sections (on the I-5 S)... I drafted 1 sec behind him for an entire 120 miles.
Some suggestions needed:
I couldn't do pulse and glide as the terrain was very uneven...and I'm loathe to turn off the engine while gliding. So the best I could do on the downhills was engine break in D...downshifting occasionally to 3 or 2 to not spin off the roads.
(anyone have suggestions for more efficient ways)?
Also, is it worth spending gas to pass a car if they are constantly braking unnecessarily and wasting momentum on the windy downhills?
On the downhill, I take 25 rated corners at 45, 30 at 50, (+20 etc)...
Thanks!
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