Madison Hybridfest/Green Drive Expo

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by jimepting

OK, I'm going. I hope to see some of you there. I registered for the fuel economy competition. For those of you who attend, I'm 6'4" and a very gray 73 years. I registered as a VIP so I should have a name tag. Please keep your eyes open for me!

Hi Jim,

Goosh, your making me feel a little short!

I'm 6'2" and a not so gray 59 yrs.

If the weather is good Saturday, I'll be there.

Speaking of economy I "registered" 126mpg over 33 miles on the way home last night. Used up the 2nd half of the HV battery at the same time, mostly on hills. The ambient temp was about 85F. Average "top speed" was 38 mph on old backroads. Without the tail.

Jim.

[jime57]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

If the weather is good Saturday, I'll be there.

Speaking of economy I "registered" 126mpg over 33 miles on the way home last night. Used up the 2nd half of the HV battery at the same time, mostly on hills. The ambient temp was about 85F. Average "top speed" was 38 mph on old backroads. Without the tail.

Jim.

Wow, that is great. Let me see, 1.15x126=145MPG for a short segment WITH the tail!!!! Well, maybe not quite that good at low speed. I know I'm impressed. Hope it is dry so I can see the boat tail in Madison. CUL

Jim E.

[Daox]

Wow, thats impressive. I looked on the website, but there wasn't any agenda for each day. But, if theres a chance I can see the beautiful boat tail, I'll be there Saturday!

[Weather Spotter]

I wish I had the time to make it over there. It would add another tail to the party

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by jimepting

Wow, that is great. Let me see, 1.15x126=145MPG for a short segment WITH the tail!!!! Well, maybe not quite that good at low speed. I know I'm impressed. Hope it is dry so I can see the boat tail in Madison. CUL

Jim E.

Hi Jim,

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but at those low speeds, adding the tail would only bring another 5 mpg or so to the mix. At 55 mph your estimate of 1.15 would be closer to what the tail adds to efficiency.

I'm starting to understand just how important pulse and glide can be.

Jim.

[jime57]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Hi Jim,

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but at those low speeds, adding the tail would only bring another 5 mpg or so to the mix. At 55 mph your estimate of 1.15 would be closer to what the tail adds to efficiency.

I'm starting to understand just how important pulse and glide can be.

Jim.

Yeah, I think you are correct about the improved FE at lower speeds with the boat tail.

I think a skilled P&G driver can achieve remarkable results. My problem with it is that it a lot of work and the Insight already delivers such good FE that I'm usually not in a mood to do the work. I do engine off coasting when I get a good chance, but that is a more passive approach. Did you achieve the 126MPG by using P&G?

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by jimepting

Yeah, I think you are correct about the improved FE at lower speeds with the boat tail.

I think a skilled P&G driver can achieve remarkable results. My problem with it is that it a lot of work and the Insight already delivers such good FE that I'm usually not in a mood to do the work. I do engine off coasting when I get a good chance, but that is a more passive approach. Did you achieve the 126MPG by using P&G?

Hi Jim,

Yes, I use a conservative amount of P&G during my drive home.

There are about five places where I coast about 1/8 mile or so with the engine keyed-off.

I have a FAS board but have not installed it yet, wondering just how useful it would be. It turns out that it can be very useful indeed, especially in warmer weather because the car coasts so well when it's hot out.

Jim.

[jime57]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Hi Jim,

Yes, I use a conservative amount of P&G during my drive home.

There are about five places where I coast about 1/8 mile or so with the engine keyed-off.Jim.

Jim, in a strictly technical sense, I'm not sure this coasting, and my same approach, is pulse-and-glide. I have the impression that true P&G involves accelerating at a engine efficient load, usually something aroung 70%, up to the glide speed and then cutting the ignition and coasting. When the car coasts down to the bottom of the P&G target range, then another cycle is initiated. The theory, as I understand it, is that the engine is always operating in its sweet spot. Maybe I'm wrong on the definitions

Anyway, I do some FAS sections with the key off, but it is usually on downhills, or where I'm going to have to give up speed anyway. I don't consider that P&G, but I don't make a claim to be an expert. Whatever the name, my technique does significantly improve MPG.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by jimepting

Jim, in a strictly technical sense, I'm not sure this coasting, and my same approach, is pulse-and-glide. I have the impression that true P&G involves accelerating at a engine efficient load, usually something aroung 70%, up to the glide speed and then cutting the ignition and coasting. When the car coasts down to the bottom of the P&G target range, then another cycle is initiated. The theory, as I understand it, is that the engine is always operating in its sweet spot. Maybe I'm wrong on the definitions

Anyway, I do some FAS sections with the key off, but it is usually on downhills, or where I'm going to have to give up speed anyway. I don't consider that P&G, but I don't make a claim to be an expert. Whatever the name, my technique does significantly improve MPG.

Hi Jim,

For me, anytime I shut off the motor and coast, that's part of P&G. Again, just my term.

I think the only way to get much higher than 120mpg with the Insight is to start taking advantage of coasting with the motor off, in one form or another. And this includes using large dose's of MIMA where there are any hills.

Anyone that starts getting figures of 140 or 150mpg, is doing allot of coasting somewhere in the run.

Jim.

[jime57]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Hi Jim,

Anyone that starts getting figures of 140 or 150mpg, is doing allot of coasting somewhere in the run.

Jim.

For sure. I can get up to around 120 mpg on a very perfect day on absolutely flat ground at around 38 MPH. That's my limit. I can't use MIMA since I have an 06. I'm tempted to try some pulse and glide sometime, but I have to do it very carefully so as not to engage assist. Lots of work!