First of all, I want to thank Jason for creating and keeping alive this excellent site. It's terrific! Since I signed up I've really learned a lot about hybrids, and new words and terms, too: hypermiler, recal, ZEV, full hybrid, mild hybrid, pulse and glide. It's like I've discovered a new, way cool (does this date me, or what?) subculture.

Since becoming a hybrid owner, I've changed my driving habits, almost from day 1. The car is training me. I'm a super-commuter, with a commute of 58 miles one way, through three small towns (two of which are the only AAA Auto Club designated "speed traps" in the country: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_trap ) on a divided highway with very light traffic during my commute. I've never been a jack-rabbit starter from a stop light, but now I'm even less so. And now instead of Speed Limit +10to15MPH, I'm now SL-10%. In places (like Waldo) where the speed limit goes from 45 to 55 to 45, I keep it constant at 45. And I use the cruise control almost full time, and control my speed generally with my finger tips.

About my current signature, I filled up for the first time last week and noted the mileage. So my next fill-up will be the first that I can use to calculate MPG. I've been using the Trip A odometer the past three commutes, resetting it daily, and have been had MPG final readings of 59.2, 63.9, and 62.0. I'm really curious if that kind of mileage will be reflected in my first measured fill-up.

The day after I drove my Titanium Metallic, 2003 HCH off the local Honda dealer’s lot, what should my favorite comic-strip character be talking about? Why, of course, “a more fuel efficient car." And of course, what should faithful Dogbert have to say about it? I won't spoil it if you haven't seen it. Here it is: http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilber...-20060219.html BTW, I actually did know/understand what "fungible" means.

I noticed the tire pressure in 3 of my tires is 25psi, 5 psi below the manual’s recommendation. The other is 30. I'm planning to pump up the volume on all of them to 35 for my next tank to see if that makes any MPG difference, as some on this site suggest.

I've got one last thing. Can somebody help me out? I'd really like to actually see what the battery pack in my 2003 HCH looks like, preferably from the inside, with its 120 D-cell-size NiMH batteries. Is there a web site? I'm fond of saying there's a website for everything, so I'm expecting that there must be a site with pictures. And I strongly suspect somebody on this forum knows the URL.

Thanks for bearing with me this far. I look forward to all the good stuff here and getting to know people by participating in some of the discussions from time to time.

 

Welcome! Glad you're enjoying it here. I like the title of your thread. That's cool about the comic. Bet it really made you feel like you were ment to have that car.

I think I've seen a picture like the one you're looking for but I don't remember where, or what vehicle it was really from.

 

I got a good laugh at the Dilbert when that was run.

Welcome to GH, and enjoy! As for a website so you can see the battery? I can't think of one offhand, I'm sure someone will be able to provide you with one. If not, you should ask again in another forum for help.