Hypermilers Anonymous

[aderylak]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I decided to take the plunge and register, so greetings to all.

[digitaldissent]

Glad you finally made the leap, Welcome

I noticed your fuel log, looks like you learned a few things lurking around!

2008-06-06 54.5 mi. 1.155 US gal 47.19 US

[TomO]

Welcome aboard! And glad that you are taking responsibility for your share of gasoline

[SVOboy]

Welcome to ecomodder!

[Daox]

Welcome to the site. Care to share with us your average commute or your old mileage before visiting?

[superchow]

Originally Posted by TomO

Welcome aboard! And glad that you are taking responsibility for your share of gasoline

Interesting point of view. Sparked an idea here: What if every single person would be allotted a "carbon budget"? Large car+small house = 100%. Small car+ large house = 100%. Small car+small house = less than 100%.

"Carbon Weigh****chers"!

but I digress...

[superchow]

Originally Posted by superchow

Interesting point of view. Sparked an idea here: What if every single person would be allotted a "carbon budget"? Large car+small house = 100%. Small car+ large house = 100%. Small car+small house = less than 100%.

"Carbon Weigh****chers"!

but I digress...

OK, OK, PC-Gods... Carbon Weight [space] Watchers.

[TomO]

Weigh****chers
LOL, the word filters sure gets its panties in a bunch sometimes, doesn't it, lol.

Good idea, superchow on the carbon budget, but I bet many people will bring up the fact that it infringes upon Americans' rights to be wasteful.

I have an overwhelming sense that Most Americans don't feel that they need to be responsible for their actions and want someone else to make an automobile that can get 45+mpg while they are still able to floor it everywhere while talking on their cell phone as well as having a mirror on the driver's side so a woman can put on her eyeliner while driving and the car can park itself.

I better get off my soapbox here before I get myself in trouble.

It's just good to see that the people that find their way here are realizing that they are taking responsibility for their actions and doing something to change things.

[aderylak]

Originally Posted by Daox

Welcome to the site. Care to share with us your average commute or your old mileage before visiting?

Thanks for the warm welcome folks. My usual commute these days is just over 6 miles, round trip (I know, I ought to ride a bike...) I moved a little over a year ago to be closer to work, the previous commute was ~50 miles round trip, 3/4 right through the suburbs. While I'm substantially closer these days, the route is so short that the car never has a chance to properly warm up.

As far as mileage goes, I never kept hard records in the past. The best mileage I've gotten in the past is 42mpg on long trips that kept me on the highway 100% of the time between fill-ups. Worst mileage is ~25mpg, driving my car like I stole it. In a given period of time driving to work and around town without care as to mpg, I might have averaged ~30mpg.

In all fairness, I don't know how accurate the last fuel log entry is- the sample is of a small fuel volume and distance traveled. I'm looking forward to keeping the log updated in the future- the law of averages ought to give me a better overall picture. I think the biggest factor in this last weeks numbers was the use of "kill & coast," for lack of a better term for it- turning off the engine on grades and restarting in neutral near the bottom. I also killed the engine at any intersection where I could see the opposing traffic light and anticipate the green.

I love the idea of coasting with the engine off, its like getting bonus mileage... but I do have some reservations about the safety of said procedure. It takes 3-4 seconds to restart the engine and add momentum should I need to get the heck out of the way of something. Thoughts on this last point?

I'm planning to take a 200+ mile (one way) roadtrip over the weekend. I'm eager to see what I can achieve. Not to mention the added bonus that gas is ~0.30/gal cheaper in SC than NC.

[Daox]

With the short trip you might consider a block heater to warm the car up ahead of time. Some guys use them even in summer to really negate the hit from a cold start.

As for the 'kill and cost', make sure that it is safe to flat tow your vehicle since it is automatic. Coasting with the engine off may damage the transmission as some trannys need the engine running to pump the transmission fluid around to keep everything lubed up. We don't want to see your transmission fail.