Sustained Hill Climb Strategy

[nathan01xl]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Look for another way up/down. Does 30 go up the slope to the west? It's probably straighter and flatter than your winding road.

yes and its only 3.5 miles longer lol

[PaleMelanesian]

At what fuel consumption? Try it and calculate how much fuel each route uses. It might actually use less.

[wdb]

Whoa whoa whoa. Are you seriously recommending driving further just to save fuel? What does that make all of the other costs associated with driving a mile in an automobile - chopped liver?

[California98Civic]

That sounds like a hell-of-a-hill. I have a smaller but significant one on my commute. I experimented with a strategy. Here is my test: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post252933

But your hill sounds much more difficult.

[bestclimb]

Originally Posted by wdb

Whoa whoa whoa. Are you seriously recommending driving further just to save fuel? What does that make all of the other costs associated with driving a mile in an automobile - chopped liver?

if the fuel savings are high enough and the increase in daily mileage small enough % of total mileage driven then they may be chopped liver. Insurance, a portion of the depreciation and car payments are time rather than mileage. Oil is partly a time based expense as well.

[Fat Charlie]

After time, fuel is the next highest cost per mile if you're buying gas.

[3-Wheeler]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Look for another way up/down. Does 30 go up the slope to the west? It's probably straighter and flatter than your winding road.

Pale,

Very crafty idea!

Several years back I was talking with someone from the office at work, and they were inquiring why I take a longer trek on the backroads to a town that he lives in.

My response was that I get about 75 mpg on the highway and 120 mpg going slower on the backroads. Well, then he said "yeah, but now your driving 4 miles longer, and thus burning more fuel".

Well, it works out that taking the longer route AND maintaining higher MPG actually *saves* fuel for me.

Jim.

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by 3-Wheeler

Pale,

Very crafty idea!

Several years back I was talking with someone from the office at work, and they were inquiring why I take a longer trek on the backroads to a town that he lives in.

My response was that I get about 75 mpg on the highway and 120 mpg going slower on the backroads. Well, then he said "yeah, but now your driving 4 miles longer, and thus burning more fuel".

Well, it works out that taking the longer route AND maintaining higher MPG actually *saves* fuel for me.

Jim.

I've been dodging lots of freeways lately lol. For me: It adds an insignificant amount of time to driving, it's more enjoyable, and saves plenty of fuel to justify the extra time spent/miles driven.

[superchow]

Originally Posted by nathan01xl

yes and its only 3.5 miles longer lol

I have driven up hwy 30 on that grade. I think it may save some fuel if you avoid the slow in-town stuff in Rainier. If you can conserve some momentum and drive up the hwy 30 grade in 5th gear (55 speed limit right?), it may offset the longer route. Plus, it looks like you can somewhat coast or P&G along the ridge when you get onto meserve rd.

Good luck!

Afterthought: If you coast down hwy 30 it should offset the longer uphill. Thats the other way to get better mpg: more miles on the same fuel.

[rajadaja]

You may already be doing this, but I suggest that you keep your speed as constant as possible,if necessary,accelerate at the easiest points possible (smallest inclines) , minimize braking, take turns wide when safe, and make all passengers get out and walk up the hill. Ha ha! Or have you tried taking Old Hwy 30 (Old Rainier Rd) to Meserve Rd? It's a bit further,but it looks less steep on the map.