NAH MPG blues.
Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 159
From: Rochester, NY
Re: NAH MPG blues.
Here are my tips based on the previous post here.
- Use regular octane gas, higher grades have less BTU and therefore, less bang for your buck.
- Use your AC, make sure it is not on recirculate. Recirculate will not pressurize the cabin and cool air will not get back into the battery compartment. In extreme hot weather, over 95F, you can pull down the rear armrest and open the panel to allow more cool air to the battery.
- Yes tire pressure is important, I use max sidewall allowed 44 PSI
- Use fuel efficient driving techniques. Drive the speed limit or slightly less, the NAH suffers from highway / high speed efficiency. Choose alternate roads to avoid high speed freeways (over 80 mph)
- Use pulse and glide and stay alert to the traffic ahead, the goal is not to come to a complete stop, you will need a longer fuel burn to get back to speed every time you stop.
- Set your expectations. You may never achieve a 50 mpg tank, although I came close, but you should not be seeing tanks under 30 mpg either.
- The reason you bought this car was to save on fuel costs / help the environment / be the first on the block with a hybrid. So dedicate some time to learn efficient driving, you will feel rewarded.
I also am not convinced about the AC in recirculate mode being beneficial, only because the car does not like EV mode when the AC is on. So, I have not been able to show any benefits from this technique...
Eph
Active Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 101
Re: NAH MPG blues.
I think he said NOT to stay in Recirculate mode. My car does not seem to have an issue with EV mode when AC is on though I do know it draws down more power so perhaps the rEV run time is less? But since its not an added load to the engine while running EV, i dont see why it should prevent EV mode from running.
Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8
Re: NAH MPG blues.
I think he said NOT to stay in Recirculate mode. My car does not seem to have an issue with EV mode when AC is on though I do know it draws down more power so perhaps the rEV run time is less? But since its not an added load to the engine while running EV, i dont see why it should prevent EV mode from running.
Insipid Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
Re: NAH MPG blues.
Here are some updated images, I'm glad I have the NAH and Prius, I can post comparisons and opinions on both. Sorry the date displayed 2004 is incorrect, i forgot to reset. Anyway the images are My two hybrids, best overall tank mpg and lifetime mpg on the Prius.
Insipid Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
Re: NAH MPG blues.
Here is a link to some interesting programming on the prius that should also be available for the Altima (since it is toyota components)
http://www.ewertenergy.com/
http://www.ewertenergy.com/
Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 159
From: Rochester, NY
Re: NAH MPG blues.
Here is a link to some interesting programming on the prius that should also be available for the Altima (since it is toyota components)
http://www.ewertenergy.com/
http://www.ewertenergy.com/
Is there a particular article you think is worth reading?
Active Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 159
From: Rochester, NY
Re: NAH MPG blues.
But, not so good that I'd pay $13K for a plug-in conversion kit!
Insipid Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 205
Re: NAH MPG blues.
Agreed, 13K is alot. I think the technology is heading in the right direction though. BTW how has the solar panel worked over the last year? Do you still have it? What kind of comments did you get from the dealer when you took it in for oil changes?
