Nice numbers or less consumption?

[tinduck]

Hi there,

you all know the problem: you have serveral available routes to go to work (or somewhere else). Which one to take if one gives you better mileage but is slightly longer, so you may or may not be expending more fuel for getting this better mileage.

To clarify my case, a little sketch (autobahn map of the Ruhr area):



Home is lower right, work is lower left. These are all 'autobahn', so no traffic lights or stopping, except for congestion.

My usual route in the morning is B54, A40, period. Shortest distance (about 60 km) and OK to drive at 05:30AM.

The problems begin in the afternoon when returning from work. A40 is jammed shut, A42 is usually usable, A2 is always usable. But A3 is mostly hairy...

What I do is, I use my tomtom (navi system) to see if there is congestion somewhere, then navigate around this regardless of additional distance.

If I go via A3, A2, A45, A40, B45, its an additional 12 km which is 20% more distance, but I retain my good mileage (or kilometrage ;-)) and save time. Good for the statistics, but probably bad at the pump (seen as cost per weekly commutes).

What do you do?

so long,

tinduck

[Mustang Dave]

It depends.
I have 3 choices of commuting routes. The longest route to work (20.1miles), which has 15 miles of freeway driving (6 miles @ 75 MPH up hill and generally into the wind and 9 miles @ 65 ) nets the worst MPG and (duh) consumes the most fuel. The two shorter routes - one with 9 freeway miles @ 65 MPH (18.5 miles), and one with NO freeway miles (16.5 miles - driving through town) net about the same MPG. I take the shorter route to save fuel.
Driving home from work, I generally take the 18.5 mile (9 miles @ 65 MPH) route to avoid in-town traffic at 4:00 PM. If I "take the long way home", I keep my speed @ 65 MPH in the 75 MPH zone. It nets about the same MPG as the medium commute, burning about 4.6 more ounces of fuel. That's a small price to pay for not having to deal with 200 aggressive @$$holes on the shorter routes.
And when I quit taking the long (and fast) route, I began to regularly exceed 30 MPG with my 4.0 liter Ford Mustang commuting to work.

[Ladogaboy]

I'm lucky that this is not an issue for me. My most fuel efficient route also happens to be the shortest physically. I hit the same traffic regardless of route as well. I guess it's a no-brainer for me.

[TXwaterdog]

Being a Realtor, I work from home most of the time and only go to appointments when I schedule them... So, when commuting I generally take the route that gives me less of a headache. Typically that's the quickest, shortest route that gives me the best mpgs. When driving during the dreaded beginning of workday or end of workday I take the back way which is longer and less congested but has more stoplights. Generally I take more stoplights over slowed traffic/traffic jams. They are timed fairly well and I don't usually catch but a few of the many.

I try to avoid driving during the congested times at all costs but sometimes it happens. I like to stop and grab a bite to eat while everyone hits the daily traffic or I stop and go tour a house, talk to a client, go fishing, play a round of Disc golf... you get the idea. it helps that I don't have kids to come home to and my GF is very good to me.

[brucey]

Last summer I was driving 10,000 miles a month. My 90 day average was more than 50% over EPA.

Now, I'm driving around 400 miles a month. And 'only' at 15~20% over EPA.

I'm still way ahead. The numbers on the ecomodder sticker don't mean anything, it's how many gallons of gas you're consuming that counts.

[pete c]

I have two routes. One through town that is about 12.5 miles, the other by interstate that is about 15. In the morning, at 5:30, I take the shorter, but longer timewise route, unless I am running late. I am certain that my mpg is better on the through town route, as there are few lights/stop signs and i am the only one on the road, putting along at a very fuel efficient 30-40 mph. If I am on the highway, I am running a bit late and likely around the 65 mph limit, or a bit more. I am certain my ranger brick's mpg is considerably worse during this mode.

When I get up really early an dam not being too lazy, I ride my bike and get really, really, really good mileage.

[Arragonis]

All my routes have the same distance but some have genuinely stopped traffic instead of crawling. When stopped I can shut off the engine, when crawling its harder.

[pete c]

Originally Posted by Arragonis

All my routes have the same distance but some have genuinely stopped traffic instead of crawling. When stopped I can shut off the engine, when crawling its harder.

I have an idea for a kit which would help those in your position. It is a very low powered hybrid idea for light vehicles such as yours.

It would consist of two hub mounted motors, maybe 5 hp each and a small Nicad or Li pack/controller. This could be used on your rear wheels for inching along in rush hour traffic. Could also use regen to help recharge during normal driving.

I would think that such motors incorporated into the rear wheel would not weigh too much more than a regular steel wheel. And 10 horse should be more than enough to push such a light car around. It also gives AWD capability during inclement weather.

I'm sure someone, somewhere has come up with something along these lines. Seems like it would drastically increase the Aygo's city numbers.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by pete c

I have an idea for a kit which would help those in your position. It is a very low powered hybrid idea for light vehicles such as yours.

It would consist of two hub mounted motors, maybe 5 hp each and a small Nicad or Li pack/controller. This could be used on your rear wheels for inching along in rush hour traffic. Could also use regen to help recharge during normal driving.

I would think that such motors incorporated into the rear wheel would not weigh too much more than a regular steel wheel. And 10 horse should be more than enough to push such a light car around. It also gives AWD capability during inclement weather.

I'm sure someone, somewhere has come up with something along these lines. Seems like it would drastically increase the Aygo's city numbers.

pete - I would love to know more. The Aygo has very little issue with city driving and getting good MPG (I can get over 110 MPG on city trips), highways are the problem - anything over 60 really. If your kit can help there then that would be useful.