If personal behavior, etc. explains 20 mpg swings in a Civic CVT, but don't cause such wide swings in other hybrids, then . . . [you fill in the question]?

 

It does cause big swings in the other hybrids. Did you all not hear about the fantastic 4 + 1 that got like 110 mpg from a Prius?

 

I mean for large #s of drivers, not for extreme situations (either way). More than 60% of Civic CVT drivers are below the mode.

 

Of course it would be remiss to discount the effect of fuel quality on FE. For instance, in Maryland, there are two basic formulations of fuel additives -- one for "summer" and one for "winter". I get about 3 mpg more out of the "summer" formula.

I got 69 mpg out of some "mystery" gas station in Virginia once. I also got 34 out of a tank of a Mobile gas purchased in Salisbury, MD.

 

I am indeed grateful for all of the little tidbits of advice I'm getting from all your replies in this and other forums. I do pay attention to the real time mpg indicator. I use that as my driving guide most of my driving time. I learn when to decelerate and such. It seems that my real time indicator says I'm getting anywhere from 40 mpg and 80 mpg during all my driving trips. Mostly around 40-45 mpg. However, I'm really getting an average of 33 mpg. I drive to near empty (one bar and the warning light comes on) and to fill the tank it usually takes just under or over 10 gallons. I've tried regular to super unleaded gas and don't see any major changes so I've started to use regular. I read in my manual, and had it confirmed at the dealership (In Buena Park, cA) that the car needs only 86 gas and regular is 87 so it seems that is wisest. I have input all of my tanks since I bought the car on this site. I'm driving California weather so it's been moderately warm to hot in the couple of months I've had the car. I have made about 4 trips to Bakersfield and found that I can get a wee bit better mpg on those trips. I normally drive to and from work (10 miles one way) with a few minor trips around that. I am a student at my work, the college so I don't have a ton of driving to do outside of that. As a student and a budget person in general I find it my goal to really maximize (and justify this purchase) my FE. I feel totally disappointed in my mpg. If you compare mine to the other 181 people who have this make/model I rank at third from the bottom! That's horrible! I'm employing the tricks and tips, to the best of my ability, and yet see such poor results. I am beginning to feel I got the dud of the lot. I mean, my first tank yielded only 23 mpg! Is there anyone in Southern California who'd like to meet up and go out for a drive? I'll treat you to a nice lunch.

 

Renee, I've been in Fullerton a number of times because of relatives, and it seems like there is a traffic signal every few hundred feet, untimed, so that you are constantly starting, stopping, starting, stopping, etc. Is that what your commute is like? You may just have a really bad commute contributing to your bad mileage, and hence you may consider a different route ('the road less traveled', as if that were possible in your area).

One thing you might do to isolate the problem, is to hop on a freeway (like the 57) during non-rush hour traffic, when you can just cruise along without disruption. Get into one of the right lanes, and set your cruise control somewhere between 60 and 65 MPH, or else just travel at that speed. Reset your trip A or B to use for doing this test. Then just cruise along for 5 miles or so, and see what kind of mileage you are getting during that span.

You should be getting somewhere between 46-54 MPG in this test. If you do, then your gas engine (ICE) is running as it should. If not, your engine is running inefficiently for some reason, and you can pursue that angle.

If you get the mileage in the range I mentioned, then at least you can be comfortable that the 'highway' part of your car is running fine; and you can pursue 'city' issues (bad electric assist (IMA) in the car, unfortunate route, etc.)

Best of luck. I really love my HCH: low emissions, quiet, reliable, as well as the mileage. And I think that you will too, once you get over this hurdle.

 

Hi Lamu9:

___Kenny contacted me via PM the other day and said he would be looking over the thread. I do not know where in CA. he lives or if he can help but if he can, I see this as your only option at this point …

___Zimbop, that was a great story (the Bus w/ parking brakes engaged) and I have a smile on my face each and every time I read it Along similar lines, an internet Hypermiling friend of mine was doing some landscaping with his Chrysler Minivan … Let’s just say it did not turn out like what he had expected



___He was OK or I would not be posting this pic but I do wish I would have been there to help out with his “Honey Do” project before those shrubs came through the back window and pieces and parts zoomed right through passenger compartment, through the rear view mirror, and right through the front windshield!

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net

 

lamu9 I sent you a PM.

Hey y'all.
How much do you think I, with a lifetime average (30-tanks) of 59.5 MPG for a HCH CVT AT-PZEV charge for hypermiling lessons?

Just kidding.

 

Hi Kenny,

How 'bout a nice lunch or dinner? I am ever so grateful to you for any help. Although I am sounding obsessed about the hypermiling issue I really do want to not only gain economically in gas mileage but more so I want to feel like I'm really contributing in a positive way toward the eventual shift away from dependency on petroleum so that the petroleum and car industries (as well as government) really invest in the shift away from petroleum products.

Renee

 

Hi there Coyote,

You do know Fullerton. I drive about 10-11 miles to work, in Norwalk, CA. I make sure to take the streets (about 2 miles) to the 91 Freeway. I work odd hours so I do avoid the worst of the morning/evening traffic. The majority of my commute is on the freeway. Once at my exit in Norwalk the college I work at is immediately off the exit. Even on the streets I am doing my best to anticipate the lights ahead of me, cars changing speed, etc. I would be satisfied if I can get to 45 mpg but secretly want to get nearer to the 60 mpg area. A little bit for bragging rights but more so because in my heart I really feel that these positive stories help convert others to the idea of moving toward a more Earth-Friendly way of transportation. God, you'd think in California of all places the tree-huggers would come out of the woodwork (pun intended) and buy these cars in droves. Where is Ed Begly Junior and his crowd to promote these cars?

Wayne, thank you so much for the connection between Kenny and myself.

In Friendship,

Renee