We sorta thought cruise control would be the ultimate in efficiency with our '07, but I'm not so sure now. It SEEMS like the car uses less battery assist when the cruise is on. Can anyone confirm or deny this notion?

More generally, can anyone attest to how cruise control affects their mileage?

Obviously, we want to get the best mileage possible with our little gem!

Thanks!!

 

At least in my '06, better efficiency is realized using foot control. Two big reasons for this are that the computer tends to favor higher rpm and gear ratios on the off chance that a hill might be coming, and by using foot, I can slip into EV mode when there's a prolonged downhill grade (record is about a mile of pure EV, on Liberty Road southbound coming into Powell... fellow Columbus folk may recognize the stretch).

 

thanks for that Chris. What is EV please?

 

"EV" is "Electric Vehicle", where the car's ICE (gas engine) is completely shut off, and we're running on battery power only.

 

In hilly terrain, where you might trade of some speed uphill for the sake of mpg's (and keep the rpm's below 3000), and let it "glide" a little faster downhill, foot driving is FAR MORE economical. If you drive it that way, that is.

 

FWIW I use CC 95% of the time, but my driving is fairly flat.
I still get 63 MPG lifetime average.

Maybe it would be better without CC, but I think when your conditions are flat many other things affect your MPG more than CC.

Also CC may help MPG, since many of us tend to let the speed creep up closer to surrounding traffic.
CC keeps it down and steady.

 

This is an interesting concept so I'm doing a lazy subscribe...

I've started hypermiling in my Outback XT and find the cruise control to be a huge help. Then again, the difference between 10mpg and 25mpg is only the slightest amount of pedal pressure, and I can't modulate THAT well. The computer on the Subaru does an amazing job of keeping the car at it's highest mpg for a given situation. Plus, by setting the cruise at 2,000 rpm, there is no boost coming from the turbo.

I've often wondered how our HCH would work cruising relatively flat roads (which do not exist around here) at a steady speed with the cruise. My guess is that the cruise would work quite well on flat roads, but suffer hugely in rolling hills where the driver would be willing to sacrifice mph for mpg.

 

I think that's it - in a nutshell.

 

After you've picked your cruise speed or RPM and let the ICE settle in, then 'bump' the coast button (speed-reducing) once or twice.
The CVT will then relax to a lower RPM state, and mileage will be better.
I drive on mostly flat roads, and CC helps... Peter

 

I agree without a lot of additional words. Personally I like CC. I turn on the HVAC, set the X/M Sat. and let the electronics handle the rest. I never have to worry about a speeding ticket or slowing up while climbing a Hill trying to save on fuel while "Possibly" holding up traffic behind me.

Just my thoughts.

Terry (tiger)