Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
#1
Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Yes, sometimes it appears we just can't have enough of this topic:
Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
I don't know about your part of the country, but here in the Midwest it is HOT! It's so hot that even those of us who like to drive with the windows open start to think about closing up the windows and cranking the air conditioning instead. In the old days this would automatically mean an immediate drop in mileage because of the additional load the air conditioning compressor puts on the car's engine.
But some hybrid owners don't see this immediate drop in gas mileage. Why? Because many of the hybrid cars are using air conditioning units that can run off of small electric motors instead. Clever! The Toyota Prius has this capability as does the Honda Civic Hybrid. In fact the Civic Hybrid actually has a hybrid air conditioning system that can run off the gas engine, the electric motor, or a combination of both. A hybrid system on board a hybrid!
As many of us have found out (especially on HCH-II's & Priuses): Manage thy State of Charge wisely.
Cheers;
Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
I don't know about your part of the country, but here in the Midwest it is HOT! It's so hot that even those of us who like to drive with the windows open start to think about closing up the windows and cranking the air conditioning instead. In the old days this would automatically mean an immediate drop in mileage because of the additional load the air conditioning compressor puts on the car's engine.
But some hybrid owners don't see this immediate drop in gas mileage. Why? Because many of the hybrid cars are using air conditioning units that can run off of small electric motors instead. Clever! The Toyota Prius has this capability as does the Honda Civic Hybrid. In fact the Civic Hybrid actually has a hybrid air conditioning system that can run off the gas engine, the electric motor, or a combination of both. A hybrid system on board a hybrid!
As many of us have found out (especially on HCH-II's & Priuses): Manage thy State of Charge wisely.
Cheers;
#2
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
The TCH uses an electric compressor and I keep it in ECO mode all the time. A couple of times I performed a highly unscientific experiment. While on the highway with the A/C on I drove until the SOC was fairly high to eliminate any differences due to recharging the battery. I drove several more miles like that and then turned off the A/C. Judging by the instantaneous mpg gauge my mileage definitely takes a hit with the A/C on. Also, turning off the A/C I can stay in EV mode at a higher speed and my SOC does not drop nearly as quick.
With that said it was only an experiment. I'll suffer the loss of several mpg to stay comfortable.
With that said it was only an experiment. I'll suffer the loss of several mpg to stay comfortable.
#3
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
I don't know for sure but I think the potency of the engine has something to do with it. In my insight, putting the a/c on is a deathblow for my mpg. However, in my HCH it doesn't make nearly as much of a difference. Thats anecdotal obviously but seems to make sense IMHO
#4
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
I have to say that I will use the air conditioner when it is hot outside. I purchased the hybrid to save, or not have to spend as much on gas.
I recently took a trip from Virginia to New Jersey using the air conditioner (set at 78), drove at 73mph, which included bumper to bumper traffic 4 times during the round trip and still averaged 47.75mpg.
What I found to be a big benefit was running the A/C, staying comfortable while the car was in auto stop. (Engine shut off)
I recently took a trip from Virginia to New Jersey using the air conditioner (set at 78), drove at 73mph, which included bumper to bumper traffic 4 times during the round trip and still averaged 47.75mpg.
What I found to be a big benefit was running the A/C, staying comfortable while the car was in auto stop. (Engine shut off)
#5
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Originally Posted by XerEagle
drove at 73mph, which included bumper to bumper traffic 4 times during the round trip
#6
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Originally Posted by SretiCentV
I don't know for sure but I think the potency of the engine has something to do with it. In my insight, putting the a/c on is a deathblow for my mpg. However, in my HCH it doesn't make nearly as much of a difference. Thats anecdotal obviously but seems to make sense IMHO
Using the elecrtic however does offer the advantage of strategic load balancing -- running off the engine more on period of lower load, and running off the elecrtic motor when more engine power is needed. There are many automatic algorthims that could be implemented, even on the older belt-only AC systems, that would spread out the AC load based on engine load, but they have largely not been implemented.
Last edited by Double-Trinity; 08-09-2006 at 11:29 AM.
#7
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Originally Posted by Orcrone
I would think you would run into problems driving 73 mph in bumper to bumper traffic.
#8
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
You can reduce the load induced by any belt-driven AC compressor by manually cycling it off while the engine is in a heavy load condition such as accelerating or climbing hills. Turn it on while at cruising speed, going downhill or slowing down and the MPG loss becomes manageable.
-Steve
-Steve
#9
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
First there was no A/C. Then it was a luxury on cars, then an option. Now it's pretty much standard across the board. What, oh what did people do before there was air conditioning? I guess the same thing I do - roll the windows down.
#10
Re: Hybrids Can Still Give Good Mileage In the Heat
Originally Posted by toast64
First there was no A/C. Then it was a luxury on cars, then an option. Now it's pretty much standard across the board. What, oh what did people do before there was air conditioning? I guess the same thing I do - roll the windows down.
Just because things used to be done a certain way, doesn't mean it's better. I'll give up 2 mpg to be comfortable. Aside from which opening the windows doesn't do much for the aerodynamics.