Why Hypermiling With A Radar Detector Is Smart

[Christ]

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

Most modern cars do DFCO - they turn off the fuel injectors when you're above a certain RPM with your foot off the throttle. So in my Subaru, the engine braking is 100% as effective whether the key is on or off. You should EOC when you want to conserve momentum, and DFCO when you don't want your momentum.

The question there is at what RPM do they begin DFCO?

Not all cars do it at such low RPMS as we like to use, and some engage it at higher RPMs, and then let it stay in DFCO until you're at a pre-determined lower RPM.

For example, DFCO may not start until you're at 2300, but may not turn the fuel back on until you're down to 1100, or you hit the accelerator, whichever comes first.

[Jammer]

I just do not feel safe in the mountains near me driving with the engine off and the key off- I may be wrong but I believe my power steering feels even worse than the manual steering I have with the key in "ON" RPM-0.. It would be nice if I could find a way down these steep mountains here in the foot hills without ridding my brake as much in EOC, but it just seems a little too dangerous for me to try gliding down a hill in neutral with the key in OFF as well. OTH: I once thought EOC was dangerous and crazy when I first tried it too, so anything is possible.

But, if I can reason it out in my mind I might see what I can get in a safe location.

[Christ]

Proper Reasoning -

If you're key off and still in gear while coasting, all you have to do to turn the car back on is flip the switch to "on". You can modulate the engine as well, using the throttle, unless you have fly-by-wire, in which case, I pity you.

Throttle modulation with the engine off will only net you a few less % of frictional and pumping losses, but it will get you an extra few feet of coasting, compared to closed throttle/engine off.

[Jammer]

OK, I see what your saying. Gosh all of our locals already drive downhill like that with manuals. I think everyone just calls it "gearing down" but when I hear that motor start to scream just BELOW my cutoff of 2,500 RPM, then all I see is a lot of gas being wasted. I know brakes wear out and are not cheap, but I think on the modest inclines I will continue to go EOC with the key in ON RPM-0, and when it slows down too much (or traffic forces me) I'll bump start it until I reach another hill top. I do not believe DFCO helps me very much because these Cobalt XFEs are geared in a way that most of my driving remains well below 2,300 RPM = 55-60MPH in 5th gear on flat land once the speed is meet. So when I hit the 70 zone my RPM goes above the DFCO of 2,500 and I normally have to keep the gas down for a bit to drive safe enough not to get run over by a semi.

And although many truck drivers have been very cool to me via the CB Radio, and have got me out of tickets and around plenty of traffic jams, I still get nervous when one of these drivers hits a hill top at 70MPG and is going over 80MPH by the bottom of the climb and then the whole thing repeats in the rolling hills in here the foothills. I think Michigan had a lower speed limit for Big Trucks, and I think we need it hear in Kentucky. We sure have had our share of lives lost due to interstate wrecks involving semi trucks.

So anyone trying to run EOC down a hill here on the 70MPH interstates has to keep one eye on the rear view mirror or else risk getting read-ended. I used to stick to the interstates until I got my first car with a AVG MPG gauge (the car I now own). I realize now that 70-80MPH really lowers your average gas bill A LOT!- I guess way back in the 70's ole Carter was right about 55MPH saving gas, (lives too) despite all of the people that disagreed. I can clearly see the savings in my car anyway, I guess other cars are different.

[PaleMelanesian]

Both my Hondas hold DFCO down to 1200 rpm.

If you look at all Metro's speed vs mpg tests, lower speed is nearly always better for mpg. (much lower than 55 in most cases)

[NiHaoMike]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Avoid the Cobra brand detectors because the reviews are poor, and it's a fact they leak out microwaves which, in turn, sets off other brands of radar detectors and it should be safer for the driver to use a RD that is not broadcasting signals. Its bad EMF, the better detectors are very well shielded and should be harmless to drivers..

I have thought about a "radar decoy" that would set off nearby radar detectors and thereby slow down traffic to the speed limit. Does that mean all I need to do that is a cheap radar detector?

[gascort]

I hear you with the hills - stuff. I have one between St.Louis and K.C. that is a beast - trucks are often slowed from 70 down to 40 by the top. If traffic is light, I get the car up to about 80 right before the base of the hill, and make it up without dipping below 65 or so. Too bad it would be extra - dangerous for the truckers to do so. They really need a third "slow lane" for that hill.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by NiHaoMike

I have thought about a "radar decoy" that would set off nearby radar detectors and thereby slow down traffic to the speed limit. Does that mean all I need to do that is a cheap radar detector?

On my detector it would beep and then display a [J] for JUNK (an entire circuit designed to deal with all of the leakage of most Cobra detectors so it has been said). Other detectors would perhaps false alarm or many could filtered it out completely by the better known ones like the all new Escort Redline. At best an inexpensive Cobra detector might slow down a few drivers as they got within 500 feet of your car/truck, but it would not take long for most experienced RD users to determine the signal causing the warning is not police radar. If such drivers happen to SEE your Cobra RD then the gig is up and they will be right back to going 110MPH again.

It is NOT LEGAL in any country to my knowledge to broadcast on the same frequency as the police radar works on (it will JAM their guns!), UNLESS the device is a certified radar gun!! It is legal in America to order a radar gun from the same companies that sell to the police, and anyone can use one without fear of a ticket. However any thing else broadcasting on the same frequency as police radar is not legal in America under FCC Rules.

This leads us to Radar Jammers, which are either non-working or NOT legal, most simply do not work and sell for over $150 (usd). There is a very well known brand called "Rocky-"something another that seems to always prove it's not much more than a black box on tests. American laws in MOST states still allow LASER JAMMERS sold legally and they are most effective when used in conjunction with a good RD that triggers the jam as soon as it picks up laser.. I do not believe laser jammers should be legal, and in states like California, they are not legal. - HOWEVER if you have the $$ to buy and install a Laser Jammer in which you could drive and point it at speeders, it will do the same thing as a LASER GUN and scare the hell out of any speeder expecting a cop within 100 feet or so! There is the one obvious way of doing what you want: BUY A RADAR GUN! There are easy to fine online and you do not have to be a cop to buy one. Sports often use radar to see how fast a ball is going, or maybe NASCAR etc.. The X-Band Radar units are sold as cheap as toys now, and some kids actually use them as toys.

I once encountered a Semi Truck that was doing exactly what you are speaking of- A strong signal was being emitted from the cab of his truck on X- Band and my detector could pick him up almost 3 miles in front of him. While I past him it became obvious the source was in the big rig. No mistake about it. And the driver was driving under the speed limit, and I can only assume was wanting to slow down other drivers. Here in Kentucky it has been said we have such Radar guns near the border of Cincinnati on I75 near the bridge of The Ohio River- It was argued in court, and surprised many attorneys, but they got their way to let them stay there. Besides it is a very dangerous place to drive given how much traffic is there, and after dark it's very hard to see with all of the lights in your face.

If you can afford it, a radar gun is your best bet for slowing down traffic. X-band guns are very cheap and can have long range- EXCEPT they are a common form of false alarm and many drivers now turn OFF their X-band alerts.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by gascort

I hear you with the hills - stuff. I have one between St.Louis and K.C. that is a beast - trucks are often slowed from 70 down to 40 by the top. If traffic is light, I get the car up to about 80 right before the base of the hill, and make it up without dipping below 65 or so. Too bad it would be extra - dangerous for the truckers to do so. They really need a third "slow lane" for that hill.

Boy do we ever relate!

Cheers.

[NiHaoMike]

Originally Posted by Jammer

On my detector it would beep and then display a [J] for JUNK (an entire circuit designed to deal with all of the leakage of most Cobra detectors so it has been said). Other detectors would perhaps false alarm or many could filtered it out completely by the better known ones like the all new Escort Redline. At beast a inexpensive Cobra detector might slow down a few drivers as they got within 500 feet of your car/truck, but it would not take long for most experienced RD users to determine the signal causing the warning is not police radar. If such drivers happen to SEE your Cobra RD then the gig is up and they will be right back to going 110MPH again.

It is NOT LEGAL in any country to my knowledge to broadcast on the same frequency as the police radar works on (it will JAM their guns!), UNLESS the device is a certified radar gun!! It is legal in America to order a radar gun from the same companies that sell to the police, and anyone can use one without fear of a ticket. However any thing else broadcasting on the same frequency as police radar is not legal in America under FCC Rules.

This leads us to Radar Jammers, which are either non-working or NOT legal, most simply do not work and sell for over $150 (usd). There is a very well known brand called "Rocky-"something another that seems to always prove it's not much more than a black box on tests. American laws in MOST states still allow LASER JAMMERS sold legally and they are most effective when used in conjunction with a good RD that triggers the jam as soon as it picks up laser.. I do not believe laser jammers should be legal, and in states like California, they are not legal. - HOWEVER if you have the $$ to buy and install a Laser Jammer in which you could drive and point it at speeders, it will do the same thing as a LASER GUN and scare the hell out of any speeder expecting a cop within 100 feet or so! There is the one obvious way of doing what you want: BUY A RADAR GUN! There are easy to fine online and you do not have to be a cop to buy one. Sports often use radar to see how fast a ball is going, or maybe NASCAR etc.. The X-Band Radar units are sold as cheap as toys now, and some kids actually use them as toys.

I once encountered a Semi Truck that was doing exactly what you are speaking of- A strong signal was being emitted from the cab of his truck on X- Band and my detector could pick him up almost 3 miles in front of him. While I past him it became obvious the source was in the big rig. No mistake about it. And the driver was driving under the speed limit, and I can only assume was wanting to slow down other drivers. Here in Kentucky it has been said we have such Radar guns near the border of Cincinnati on I75 near the bridge of The Ohio River- It was argued in court, and surprised many attorneys, but they got their way to let them stay there. Besides it is a very dangerous place to drive given how much traffic is there, and after dark it's very hard to see with all of the lights in your face.

If you can afford it, a radar gun is your best bet for slowing down traffic. X-band guns are very cheap and can have long range- EXCEPT they are a common form of false alarm and many drivers now turn OFF their X-band alerts.

I remember about my cheap radar detector going off when parking near stores. Probably the store's antitheft system or something operating on similar frequencies. (IIRC, it was always on the Ka band.)

Or what about a laser decoy? Might it be as simple as pulsing an infrared laser from an old CD burner to mimic a laser unit?