Originally Posted by the essential Hybrid car handbook

Although he rejects the hypermiler label, Bob Wilson, an engineer from Huntsville, Alabama, is a good example of one. He has been averaging 49.1 miles per gallon in his 2003 Toyota Prius since he bought it in October of 2003. That beats the EPA estimate of 48 mpg.

He is always thinking how he can squeeze a little more distance out of every gallon. He shuts the car down at red lights and plots routes that maximize use of the electric motor alone. He measures his car's efficiency at different speeds, in hot and cold weather.

He offers these tips to other hybrid owners:

1. Keep tire pressure well above the manufacture's recommendations, to lower rolling resistance.
2. Do not fill the oil resevoir to the full mark. That reduces the power needed to keep the oil circulating.
3. Don't speed.
4. On the open road, find a tractor-trailer cruising at the speed limit and tuck in a safe distance behind it. This will lower your car's wind resistance.
5. Do not exceed 25 miles per hour until the engine warms up. The gasoline engine will not shutdown until it is warmed up.

Originally Posted by eikiel (Post 146645)

Congratulations. I will have to pick up a copy of it. Do you know where it is available other than probably Amazon?

Originally Posted by The Essential Hybrid Car Handbook

For Rich Kreuger, a Michigan resident, the purchase of a Ford Escape Hybrid came only after an intense study of the technology and its benefits. He now finds it has brought him enjoyment he hadn't counted on and admission into a select group of dedicated motorists "I am incredibly satisfied with it, and I intend to continue to buy hybrids," he'll tell anyone who asks.
Some of his reasons: "It's one hell of a conversation piece." "There's a sense of superiority knowing you have such an advanced and efficient vehicle working for you." "In some ways I find myself a pioneer and a respected person for getting the most out of my hybrid." "There's a sense of belonging that's very comforting."
He will tell you there are a couple of other things he likes about his Escape Hybrid, too. "To be different . . . [to have] an SUV that gets better miles per gallon than most cars. Nyah! Nyah! Oh yeah, and that green goodie goodie environmental stuff."