66.6 MPG - A Record For Me - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Matt Herring · 08-01-2010, 02:34 PM

Hey All...

Proud to announce a new all-time record MPG for me after filling up yesterday. Was able to log 66.6 mpg in close to 600 miles on my HSI (in-dash instrumentation).

I've been driving alot more than usual this summer thanks to extended trips for Civil War reenacting so with a 3 week break in those trips I decided to try to max out my mpg and see what I could do. I haven't been able to hypermile much on my past longer highway trips thanks to a grumpy, time conscious, A/C needy passenger but was able to put in a good effort over the last 20 days.

I've had my 2010 Prius for a few months now and have been able to transition well from the 2009 instrumentation/handling/tricks to the 2010. The 2010 seems to be a little more fussy when progressing through the warm up stages...sometimes I wrestle with it to get it into EV-capable mode but overall it's been a more fruitful driving/hypermiling experience with the new car. It seems the 2010 takes a little longer to get to 155 degrees compared to the 2009.

The sturdy feel of the 2010 vs. 2009 is the biggest difference in terms of handling. Rarely do I feel wind affecting the cars handling and it doesn't seem to get "sucked into" rain puddles like the 2009 did...at least not as much. this helps out alot on the highway for hypermiling as I do less correcting with the wheel and more straight line driving/drafting.

Laurentiu · 08-01-2010, 02:41 PM

Nice work

Civil War Re-Enactment must be fun !

Matt Herring · 08-01-2010, 02:49 PM

Civil War reenacting is alot of fun and very rewarding. I have 4 known ancestors that were in the Civil War and one of the reenacting units I am in is a regiment that one of my ancestors fought with...so it has alot more meaning when I field with them.

The downside of reenacting is the added miles driven to and from events. I've had two extended trips to Pennsylvania this year that was over 2000 miles total and I have another 11 day trip that will easily be over 1500 miles total.

It gives me plenty of time to work on my highway hypermiling technique though!

Daox · 08-02-2010, 07:40 AM

Very nice Matt!

I recently pulled off my best tank too in my 04 @ 63.7 mpg. Still don't have my PHEV working right!

tasdrouille · 08-02-2010, 10:04 AM

Great job Matt. I am working on a record tank of my own too. Keep up the good work!

DonR · 08-02-2010, 11:42 AM

I have a question about the wheels on the new Prius. I have seen one in the parking lot at work & it looks like the wheels have a cover that will rotate to cover the holes in the wheel to become more aerodynamic. Is this the case?

Don

Matt Herring · 08-02-2010, 01:42 PM

Daox...I've been keeping an eye on your PHEV thread...stay with it...will be well worth the effort! Congrats on the recent all-time high tank!

Martin...Congrats on your current tank as well...it's alot of fun driving in the summer and I'm sure you have some new mods you're tinkering with too! Hope to see you at an economy event soon!

Don...The stock Prius comes with wheel covers that are plastic. They do not rotate and but they cover a good portion of the wheel opening. I actually removed mine...not ideal for aero...but I liked the look better. My 2009 didn't come with wheel covers so when I got my 2010 I removed the wheel covers. Perhaps the Prius you saw has modified wheel covers that close the gaps...if you come across the same car again I'd love to see a pic!

bwilson4web · 08-03-2010, 01:15 PM

Hi,

I trick I picked up over at PriusChat is to use EV to suppress ICE warm-up until you can get to a downgrade. Then use "D" or 10 mph to leave EV and let the ICE run while rolling down-grade. If you can go down-grade at a fairly slow speed, you'll take a big chunk out of the 'throw gas at it' warm-up.

Bob Wilson

Matt Herring · 08-03-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

Hi,

I trick I picked up over at PriusChat is to use EV to suppress ICE warm-up until you can get to a downgrade. Then use "D" or 10 mph to leave EV and let the ICE run while rolling down-grade. If you can go down-grade at a fairly slow speed, you'll take a big chunk out of the 'throw gas at it' warm-up.

Bob Wilson

I am able to use this trick rarely on a day to day basis but have been able to take advantage of it once in a blue moon.

On a day to day basis I commute 11 miles to and from work. No declines at either start point. And...typically I use heavy EV on the tail ends of my commute so the next time I start the car I'm at 2-3 bars and not EV-available.

When I am able to use it is on non-commute trips...especially when on highway trips when my SOC is higher. I probably have a chance to use the trick about once a month.