Challenges to my fuel efficiency
#1
Challenges to my fuel efficiency
I've ordered a TCH which I expect to receive in about a month, maybe less.
I'm really curious as to what kind of mpg I will get. I have a few challenges:
- My commute to work is only 6 miles, so a significant percentage of my driving will be done with a cold engine.
- My commute has to be during rush hour both morning and afternoon, so I can't use hypermiling techniques that would cause me to be a traffic nuisance.
- I live in Austin, TX. It's summer time. The A/C has to be on pretty much all the time, even in the morning.
I don't want to set my hopes too high... what kind of mileage do you think I can get, considering these challenges?
I'm really curious as to what kind of mpg I will get. I have a few challenges:
- My commute to work is only 6 miles, so a significant percentage of my driving will be done with a cold engine.
- My commute has to be during rush hour both morning and afternoon, so I can't use hypermiling techniques that would cause me to be a traffic nuisance.
- I live in Austin, TX. It's summer time. The A/C has to be on pretty much all the time, even in the morning.
I don't want to set my hopes too high... what kind of mileage do you think I can get, considering these challenges?
#2
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
Whew, that's a toughie......
Is your commute on a freeway, which will be bumper to bumper? What speed does it normally achieve when you are on it during rush?
The answer to those two questions will mean a lot toward giving you a good educated answer.
Is your commute on a freeway, which will be bumper to bumper? What speed does it normally achieve when you are on it during rush?
The answer to those two questions will mean a lot toward giving you a good educated answer.
#3
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
I'm no expert but I find that my 18 mile commute with 45-65 start road with lights driving gives me 37-38 in the AM where traffic is light, the sun is not up so while I have the AC on it works less. My same drive home gives me 33-34 with 95 degree heat, but AC is on same setting as AM, I have 35% tintied windows and the traffic is heavier on the way home. AM takes me 35 min, PM takes me 45-50min. I fiond the engine warms up in litterally a few blocks on a warm day, so the majority of your commute the engine should be warm, but 6 miles is awful short, I find the MPG really starts to climb through the first few miles and literally does not hit its peak until well past the 50% mark, but as usually your numbers will vary. The good news is I gigured anything over 30MPG was going to be OK for me and make the switch worth my while, so last tank (the first tank) was about 32-33, this tank is averaging 35 so far, but very early into the tank. Also the engine is still breaking in and at 1500 or 2000 miles I plan on switching to 0W20 Synthetic which should give me a slight additional bump!
#4
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
Originally Posted by lars-ss
Whew, that's a toughie......
Is your commute on a freeway, which will be bumper to bumper? What speed does it normally achieve when you are on it during rush?
The answer to those two questions will mean a lot toward giving you a good educated answer.
Is your commute on a freeway, which will be bumper to bumper? What speed does it normally achieve when you are on it during rush?
The answer to those two questions will mean a lot toward giving you a good educated answer.
- The 5.5 route has a long traffic light at which I'd have to wait 2-4 cyles, and a short distance on a freeway (1-2 miles). The freeway portion will have some bumper to bumper and some full speed.
- The 6.0 mile route has several long waits at traffic lights and no freeway.
- The 6.7 mile route has only one short wait at a traffic light and no freeway.
#5
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Posts: n/a
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
If you have a Nav system run all three after resetting the consumption screen each time for comparison. Once you find the best one run it in different ways as well (brisk acceleration & glide / slow off the line & steady.
#6
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
Yes I did order the Nav system. I can't wait to do these experiments. I'm #1 on the list for metallic gray/Nav/bisque interior. I'm hoping it gets allocated next week. Then it's at least another 3 weeks before I get it.
#7
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
I have a similar commute to yours and have been achieving 36 MPG to 38 MPG for the first two months that I have owned my TCH. I drive about 5 miles each way on relatively level local roads, with stop lights and experience some short stretches of stop-and-go traffic. I generally leave the A/C off in the morning unless the humidity is unbearable. I do not employ any hypermiling techniques. I have been very satisfied with my results so far and expect further improvement as the car breaks in.
#9
Re: Challenges to my fuel efficiency
My commute is all city streets, 7 miles each way. I have myself and two kids in the car, along with an 83 pound Segway in the trunk, which I ride for the last 3.1 miles of my commute. (Segway gets about 620 miles per gallon!!!)
I have four stop signs, 11 traffic lights, and I stop once at a convenience store. I use a lot of hypermiling techniques and try to keep the car in EV mode as soon as the engine warms up. I live in Phoenix, and most of the time, the A/C is on 75 in the morning and 65 in the afternoons.
My current tank is 35.5 and I expect to get better as the weather cools and I can drop the A/C. My goal is to average 38 MPG for the year on this commute.
When school starts, my commute will shorten by about a mile each way.
Good luck to all....
I have four stop signs, 11 traffic lights, and I stop once at a convenience store. I use a lot of hypermiling techniques and try to keep the car in EV mode as soon as the engine warms up. I live in Phoenix, and most of the time, the A/C is on 75 in the morning and 65 in the afternoons.
My current tank is 35.5 and I expect to get better as the weather cools and I can drop the A/C. My goal is to average 38 MPG for the year on this commute.
When school starts, my commute will shorten by about a mile each way.
Good luck to all....
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