Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

  #1  
Old 06-15-2008, 09:01 PM
drcool's Avatar
Sustainability Fan
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Oregon
Posts: 11
Default Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

Most of the time I keep my car in the garage and get excellent MPG. Last night, it was parked outside at a friend's and the temperature dipped into the 40's. The mileage heading home was 4 or 5 MPG less for the first ten miles or so.

While this has probably been covered, I didn't find it in the FAQ. It's less obvious that cold batteries are your enemy, even if it's not winter. Keep your car garaged if possible, and if you have more than one vehicle and can't garage them all, put the hybrid in the garage and drive it the most.
 
  #2  
Old 06-15-2008, 09:09 PM
gpsman1's Avatar
Hybrid and Ethanol Expert
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: All over the Central U.S.
Posts: 3,616
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

Yes, that is very true and has been discussed before.

Both the engine and battery pack are less efficient at colder temperatures.



MxD = Max Discharge MxC = Max Charge.

-John
 
  #3  
Old 06-16-2008, 11:10 AM
kristian's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 773
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

I get great mileage when I keep the car in the garage! In fact, our MMH hasn't used a single drop of gas for the last two weeks, and it was ALL garage mileage . My wife needs to drive it today though so there goes that 0gpm average...
 

Last edited by kristian; 06-16-2008 at 11:13 AM. Reason: spelling
  #4  
Old 06-17-2008, 09:44 AM
tcampb01's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dearborn, MI
Posts: 246
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

It has been discussed.... turns out it doesn't really matter what time of year it is.

In cold weather, having been in the garage helps it warm up just a little faster.
In hot weather, it keeps the inside from being as hot which reduces how hard the AC will need to work (actually... anytime you can manage to park it out of the sun, even if it's just the shade of a tree, will help).
 
  #5  
Old 06-19-2008, 06:23 PM
KenE's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 197
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

Originally Posted by tcampb01
... which reduces how hard the AC will need to work ......
A/C, what is that? Accelerate Cautiously? Seriously, my wife has even trimmed her us of the A/C on the FEH compared to the old Ford Explorer. But then the price of fuel is also influencing that.
 
  #6  
Old 06-21-2008, 10:21 AM
tcampb01's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Dearborn, MI
Posts: 246
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

There is such a thing as moderation... you can have your AC, but use it a little more efficiently.

I generally don't set my own AC (in home or car) to be "cold" ... I just set it to be "not hot" (I don't want it to be 90+ in the house or in the car... but 78 is just fine.) On short drives I don't use it at all. On longer drives I use it just enough to keep it from getting 'hot' in the car.

I also set the recirculate dial to pull air from where it's likely to be cooler. According to Ford... this saves gas. I had always believed that the AC compressor was either 'on' or 'off'. At the owner's event they tell us it's not that simple... the compressor works harder when you demand colder temps, which ultimately burns more fuel.

When looking for a parking space, I don't look for the space nearest to the doors of the store/building/etc. I just look for a shady spot (don't be afraid of a little walk.) If a shady spot wasn't available and I have to park in the baking sun, then I set the AC to draw in OUTSIDE air when first starting the car (because that air will be cooler and will cool the cabin faster and allows me to reduce the AC settings sooner), then once it's cool inside, flip the recirc. control to draw INSIDE air as soon as the inside air is cooler than the outside air. Now I can back-off the AC setting so it doesn't have to run as hard.
 
  #7  
Old 06-21-2008, 02:58 PM
philmcneal's Avatar
04 prius 350,000km
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 517
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

why don't you make it a bit better and plug in your block heater when your in a garage! get to hybrid operation quicker!!
 
  #8  
Old 06-23-2008, 06:05 AM
TeeSter's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,401
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

Originally Posted by tcampb01
There is such a thing as moderation... you can have your AC, but use it a little more efficiently.

I generally don't set my own AC (in home or car) to be "cold" ... I just set it to be "not hot" (I don't want it to be 90+ in the house or in the car... but 78 is just fine.) On short drives I don't use it at all. On longer drives I use it just enough to keep it from getting 'hot' in the car.

I also set the recirculate dial to pull air from where it's likely to be cooler. According to Ford... this saves gas. I had always believed that the AC compressor was either 'on' or 'off'. At the owner's event they tell us it's not that simple... the compressor works harder when you demand colder temps, which ultimately burns more fuel.

When looking for a parking space, I don't look for the space nearest to the doors of the store/building/etc. I just look for a shady spot (don't be afraid of a little walk.) If a shady spot wasn't available and I have to park in the baking sun, then I set the AC to draw in OUTSIDE air when first starting the car (because that air will be cooler and will cool the cabin faster and allows me to reduce the AC settings sooner), then once it's cool inside, flip the recirc. control to draw INSIDE air as soon as the inside air is cooler than the outside air. Now I can back-off the AC setting so it doesn't have to run as hard.
It makes some sense that cooling 99F air will be harder than cooling 80F air and that would change gas mileage even if the compressor wasn't cycling.

However, I always though that changing the temperature setting in one of these (if they don't have automated climate control) was simply moving a baffle so air from the outside or from the heater/cooler was mixed with the ice cold air coming from the AC.... since the air traveling across the AC is just as cold as without setting the mix door, I wouldn't think that would help any... Parking in the shade yes, recircuculate yes... changing the temp... I didn't think so. Am I wrong on that?
 
  #9  
Old 06-23-2008, 06:42 AM
Hot_Georgia_2004's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Atlanta, Ga
Posts: 1,797
Default Re: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG

My HCH have never been parked in a garage, other than the gated one at work and 4 years with over 122,000 miles average just over 62MPG.

Although the temps are mild here in Ga, it does dip below freezing in the winter so I could use a tank heater though.

-Steve
 
Related Topics
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
H-Bomb9000
GM Hybrid Trucks, Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid & GMC Yukon Hybrid
5
04-06-2014 08:09 AM
spinner
Journalism & The Media
1
08-21-2009 04:51 PM
lakedude
Fuel Economy & Emissions
17
12-20-2005 11:44 PM
JeromeP
Toyota Prius
9
01-30-2005 11:53 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Keep Vehicle in Garage for Best MPG


Contact Us -

  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Manage Preferences
  • Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

    When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

    © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands


    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:32 PM.