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Old 06-27-2014, 07:27 PM   #20 (permalink)
j12piprius
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: central california
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pris prius - '12 Toyota plug in prius
90 day: 71.09 mpg (US)
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It would be interesting to accelerate (1) with different % engine loads to the same average speed, plus (2) coasting back down to 0 mph and comparing the results.

You're going to get better mpg with slower acceleration through the pulse, but a faster acceleration will give a better ratio of pulse to coasting. For example, A accelerates to 60 mph in .25 miles, and coasts for .75 miles, whereas B accelerates to 60 mph in .75 miles, and coasts for .75 miles.

A is accelerating 1/4 of the time, and B accelerates for 1/2 of the time. Thus B gets better mpg for the pulse, but A gets better mpg for each complete cycle, due to a greater percentage of coasting. This doesn't apply to keeping the same speed the whole time.
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