The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
#1
08-14-2007, 10:31 AM
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 773
The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
We have finally gotten into the "dog days" after a pretty mild early summer. Yesterday it was still over 90 degrees when I left work, and I managed to get 71.7mpg! That kills my previous record of 67.9mpg. My commute home is 10 hilly miles of surface streets. Most of them are three lanes in both directions, and I average about 15 mph below the speed limit. I also don't use the A/C (gotta love the dry air!). Here's to shattering records!
#2
08-14-2007, 11:01 AM
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
I agree. I saw my first 800 mile tank a couple of weeks back (after 32000 miles of driving the HCHII) , and I believe the high ambient temperatures contributed. I only used AC for approx 100 miles of that tank.
#3
08-14-2007, 02:41 PM
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posts: 941
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
and I managed to get 71.7mpg
#4
08-14-2007, 02:48 PM
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 773
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
No, the air here is really dry which makes a huge difference--I couldn't deal without A/C in most areas of the country at 90+ degrees! I keep a window shade up during the day and drop the windows as soon as I get in the car.
#5
08-14-2007, 05:13 PM
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
I agree- 80 and 90 degree temperatures really seem to agree with my hybrid. It's humid here, which makes it harder to avoid using the A/C, but I rely on the fan and really don't turn the air on much. It also helps that I'm often at work late and so I'm not driving in the hottest parts of the day- the car is still relatively hot from the sun of the day, but the air temperature isn't so bad for me.
#6
08-14-2007, 07:25 PM
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
Just be sure your battery doesn't overheat. At 95+ I would turn on the AC so your battery sensor doesn't think something is wrong. There is a point where MPG suffers if it's too hot.
#7
08-14-2007, 10:23 PM
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 387
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
I've noticed this correlation too, but those are certainly some impressive mpg numbers. I don't think I can do 15 mph below limit on California freeways though; I would just become a hazard on the road because everybody travels at 75 mph+
#8
08-16-2007, 08:01 AM
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 773
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
Man, what a difference 30 degrees makes! On my commute home yesterday it was 62 degrees after a fierce thunderstorm. I had to claw and scratch my way to 52.5mpg on the same exact route...I am not looking forward to winter!
#9
08-16-2007, 08:54 AM
Re: The warmer it gets, the better my commute is!
I don't know if this was final but 7:14 into the video clip it says the 2nd gen HCH has an "Internal Air Conditioning Inverter" and an "internal cooling fan." If this is true maybe turning on the A/C would never be neccesary for the HCH II. Anybody have more info on this?
