I shall ignore the long discussion of a website I am not posting on and discuss, as civilly as possible, with people who belong to a forum I AM posting on, the issue raised by the OP. Stay on topic, people.

I think that hypermiling is definitely a positive term. It is about personal accomplishment and achievement. People who are terribly expert in a rather obscure discipline do not always get a great deal of respect from others, who may know nothing about their discipline and care less, but that doesn't make it any less valid. It's hard to do. It has a social value. It takes thought, skill, practice and can certainly becomes easier with 'professional' equipment and specialized knowledge or personalized tools. A bit like a sport, really.

In the context of this forum, I think the term hypermiler is something more, even. It's a badge of honor- a dignity that has to be earned. The standards may not be exact and whether we choose to self-identify as a hypermiler may depend on a personal choice, but I would venture to assume that most people who do not take part in forums like this have never heard of the term and have no opinion about its meaning, either way. That includes most of the lunkhead speeders and tailgaters who make our lives miserable on the roads. So coming to our own conclusion about what it means is useful to us and nobody else.

If I choose to respond to a posted question directed at hypermilers when a newbie wants some driving tips, it's not because I want to brag or because I'm smug- it's because I have some knowledge that I hope I can share with someone who is interested in acquiring that knowledge. I understand the competitive spirit that makes people 'brag' and I feel like doing it myself, sometimes, when I'm particularly proud of something I've accomplished. That's part of why I come here, to discuss it with other people who care about these things and can share some joy in my small victory. I don't post to the database, partly because I understand the temptation of that kind of bragging, and because of a vague sense that it's counterproductive and could mess with my/our data.

But yes, I consider myself a hypermiler. My lifetime average is above the EPA rating for my car- just a little, but enough. I work at it, (only with techniques I consider safe, because I take safety very seriously) and I enjoy it, and yes, I take some pride in it. There's nothing wrong with that. If I have advice or information that I can use to help someone who comes to GH b/c they're interested in hypermiling, then I think that's great. All of the negative responses that this has somehow managed to generate in this thread are unimportant in comparison to that.

 

The use of "hyper" as a prefix often carries a negative connotation.
Makes me think of hypertension and hyperactive...

 

Bob,

Usually I do-not ever respond or comment on a Thread or Post you do because you have this High-Tech, way over my head approach to your comments. However this Last-Post you just did I think I will comment on.

[quote=bwilson4web;117560]Over in Priuschat, someone started a thread "Are we overemphasizing MPG?" and we're in a thread titled "Hypermiler - Negative perception?" . . .:

• GreenHybrid - hybrid cars and technology
• PriusChat - one model of hybrid

I agree that FE is just that and nothing more. I know that I more than likely will wish I did not make this "Comment" but here goes: I personally agree that after the Exact Same Discussions on FE have been said for the {1,000 th} time, that is enough.

I just about "Quit-Posting" on another "Forum" because I just simply got tired of the exact same discussions over and over etc. day after day, month after month, going into Year after year etc. I came back over to GH because Members are talking, discussing their New Hybrids they just Purchased and all the other things revolving around their Hybrids. I Love/Like the members on the other Forum but after awhile in my case I want to read and discuss other things than, What ????? FE !!!!!!!!!

On the GH Forum there is a Member that just purchased a New 2007 50 th Anniv. Camry Hybrid. He has posted pics of it and different members are congratulating him on his New Hybrid and asking about it. There are so many Threads and Posts to read and Discuss if one wants to about a variety of Subjects that it is interesting to come back to this Forum and just see what is New and being discussed.

The Word "Hypermiling" that has been invented for the "Ultra-High-Mileage" attaining folks is just fine {IMHO}. However, as many members here and on different Forums have questioned, When is enough, enough on FE? So I will have to agree and just say to one and all. If "Hypermiling" "FE" and the {Pursuit} of same is (Their-Life's-Goal), then have it and I say more power to them. If on the other hand members and non-members wish to own a Hybrid and enjoy the FE it offers along with all the Very-High-Tech end of the Hybrids, I say my Hat is off to them as well. There is room for everyone and the Non-Hypermilers can beat-up the Hypermilers and Vice Versa but what is really the "Point" ??? None, Live and let Live.

Too bad that each side cannot just do their own thing and let the other side do their thing as well.

Man this has gotten so wordy, hope I did not lose everyone, including myself, in my "True-Meaning-Here".

Terry (tiger)

 

I'm sorry but I may have missed it.

If you're suggesting we are 'beating the place where the dead horse was drug away,' Ok. I don't remember the earlier discussions and I suspect many other newbies are in the same boat.

If there some suggestion of exclusivity, as if "hypermiler" can only be used by certain folks, I'm good with that too once it has been made into a trademark:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

I think what you've noticed is I'm the same Bob Wilson regardless of which forum I'm in and consistent across the board. Also, I tailor my postings for understanding of the readership.

Still, I may be misunderestimating your meaning. I've been wrong before and take correction willingly.

Bob Wilson

NOTE: Thanks for clearing things up. Sometimes I get confused when different fonts and colors are used. We are in agreement.

 

Bob,

Your comments on your other Post.

For GreenHybrid and PriusChat, mileage is a just one of many aspects of hybrid technology. So we also look at creature comforts, maintenance and a lot of things having nothing to do with mileage. . . .

For me, mileage data is like reading a tire pressure gauge, volt ohm meter or oil test. It is another tool about how things work. . . .

So Bob in short I agree with the above. Mileage is just simply one aspect to discuss regarding Hybrids. Now I think that should do it.

Then I was trying to point out that this Thread was in the beginning asking about the term, "Hypermiling". Was it a Negative or Positive ?

So I went on to point out that "Hypermiling" and the pursuit of it by those that make it almost a Life's Goal have at it. To those "Hypermiling" is a Very-Positive-Term. To the Non-Hypermilers the Term is a "Negative".

I tried and "Failed" to say for those that are "Hypermilers" that is Great. If you are not into the "Hypermiling Thing" that is okey.

Lastly I was pointing or trying to point out that GH is a Great Forum because there are many discussions on a variety of subjects and not just centered around "FE".

The Post I did was not really aimed at you as a person, I just liked what I saw that you mentioned about FE is only one part of a "Hybrid". There are many other things to like and discuss on Hybrids other than just FE alone.

Hope this Post clears my prior Post up. Hopefully

Terry (tiger)

 

Those are some good points Terry. I think one of the strongest points of GH is the variety of subjects and topics.

 

I do have to agree that you can only talk about the same thing so many times before it starts getting old. With 'hypermiling' the techniques are pretty well established. However I have to suggest that, given a dynamic readership, old territory is bound to be covered again from time to time. It may get a little old for those of us who have been around for a while but new folks may come in who just bought their hybrid and want to know what helps and what doesn't. Personally I like to help pass on the knowledge when somebody shows up with an interest.

Other times, the term 'hypermiler' or 'hypermiling' can be our best friend. It gives them one word to stick into the search engine.

 

This is my newbie comments on this forum. I participate in other forums related to others subjects for many years. Yes, the same 20 or 30 subjects comebacks year after year and that's normal. A forum is something dynamic with new and old members, and even if subjects comeback, they comeback with some fresh air most of the time. Actually, as you can see, I am reading this time this hypermiler discussion and not the one appended 3 years ago.

This said. For me, the purchase if this car was a political action. So I want everybody know I have a hybrid and I want to tell why. For me, keeping and sharing MPG records is like golf average. You are working to increase you average and not trying to reach the Tigerwood average. Here in Canada, with the average weather and dominant wind against me every evening, I will never reach your 56MPG, forget it. But again the GH site is very very useful to see what I can anticipate from the car. As the average my friends near of Montreal does is a relevant information for me, my average will be a good information for the newbies of 2008 living near Montreal.

I am consuming only my second tank and last week I had many concerns about my new behaviour on the road. If I drive too slow, If I enter on the highway at an un-appropriate speed, If I decrease my speed when passing an overpass and somebody follow me, what is the message sent to the other drivers ?! Theses hybrid cars are only for grand-fathers?! Me, owner of a V8 or 6, just don't have the time to drive that slow ?! Even worst, this car cannot have an appropriate secure acceleration. On the other hand, the earth is in a so bad shape, the ones driving their V8 at 15MPG must receive the message that they must change their behaviour, an antisocial behaviour. For me live and let live is not an appropriate message. the "I get 65MPG...YOU?" sticker is something I was thinking to do. But I already had the feeling it would not help the message.

In conclusion, for me, “Hypermiler” is something positive, and should be taken as a game having a great impact on the society.


Pierre

 

Bon jour,
A block heater would make a significant improvement in Canada. Most of the USA owners have to order our block heaters from Canada. Even though I live in Alabama, it is north Alabama. I continue to investigate cold weather performance when we have any.

As for driving, I use street maps to find Prius friendly routes and avoid those road were drivers are in a rush. I took a web map that includes my home and work and tried several routes. Eventually, I settled on this:


It is important to test different routes until you find one that works. In my case, the direct route worked out best. I was lucky that the shorter distance offset the slower speeds so my commute trip time did not change very much. But the mileage went up considerably.

Bonne chance !

Bob Wilson

 

Yes,it will come with the winter tires next fall. It looks like a must here.

For the route, I agree and I am still experiencing.

Merci (thanks)

Pierre