CR-Z: New Best Round Trip 60.5 MPG

[IsaacMTSU]

I drive a ~19 mile round trip every day. I always average 58 MPG or more, but the other day I managed to get 60.5 MPG. I still think I can get more, but I don't get to drive the CR-Z much, my wife usually drives it while I take the CRX HF.

[Daox]

Wow, very nice! Can you describe the commute? What kind of techniques do you use? I wouldn't mind getting one of these in a few years to replace the Paseo... My wife really liked the car when we test drove one a few months ago.

[PR03]

Hi I also own a crz but cannot even come close to this level of mpg.

What do you have your tire pressure set at?

How fast are you going?

Any tips would be great.

[brucepick]

Yes please do tell. I'm very interested to hear more.

EPA estimates for the 2012 CR-Z are 35/37/39 mpg with auto tranny. With 6-speed manual, 31-34-37.

I don't know which year CR-Z you have or what tranny. And I was not impressed by the EPA numbers - but if the actual mpg is so much better, I could get interested in that car.

[IsaacMTSU]

The actual EPA test results for the CR-Z were 52 city 44 highway. Honda got sued pretty bad over the Civic Hybrid because nobody was getting the window sticker MPGs, so since the law is that you can post what the EPA result was or lower MPG, they put 31/37 because that is closer to what everyday lead foot drivers will see.

If you just never use the brakes and instead tap the brake enough to get the brake lights to come on, the IMA system goes full regeneration and slows you down plenty fast enough while getting a charge from it too. Keeping the battery full and using the charge to slow you down along with the best part of the whole car, the auto-stop below 19 MPH can get some really good MPG.

My commute is 5 miles of 6-lane "parkway" with a speed limit of 40 and about 3 miles of 2-lane curvy back road with 45 mph limit and one mile or so of downtown tourism hotspot. I gain 370ft elevation going to work and then lose it coming back. I keep the tires at 50psi and it's a 6-speed so shifting early and getting the extra torque (instant 58lb-ft) from the IMA motor helps a lot. The CR-Z also has DFCO at 900 RPM (and it is instant), so engine braking even the slightest amount uses no fuel and recharges.

My first tank the CRX was 47 MPG and I was impressed, then I started reading EcoModder stuff and that helped more than anything! My last 3 tank average is ~72 MPG

[PR03]

Thanks for the info

I assume you are in ECON mode

You are shifting even before the shift light comes on? at what RPM?

My commute is roughly 18 miles as well, with only one stop light the entire way.

And there is hardly any traffic on the one road during half of the commute, what is the most efficient speed to travel at when given this opportunity?

The other half of the drive is at 60 mph.
Thanks again

[brucepick]

IsaacMTS,
Thanks. I was not aware of the voluntarily downward adjusted mpg estimate. Certainly changes things.

Do you know if the same thing happened with the new Insight? That car might also be tempting. But no standard tranny available here in US, only the CVT auto. Not sure if that makes the car a non-starter for hypermiling.

[PR03]

I tried going 45mph,
and I can was getting 55.5 when I coasted into the city.

Still running stock Tire Pressure

What I need are tips for the 60mph portion of my commute.

[Daox]

P&G will give you a jump if you're willing to do the work. A grill block would be a great idea especially going into winter.

[IsaacMTSU]

I usually shift around 1800 RPM, that is too early for the car so it forces it to use the assist to gain speed. I always shift to 5th at 25 MPH and 6th at 30 MPH. Also, it would be higher on a normal basis, but there are 14 traffic lights each way, which is awful...