Hypermiling update #1
A few weeks ago, I posted some information on “Hypermilers: Pushing cars to 70mpg”. Since then, I’ve read a few articles that have reported some hypermilers getting over 100 mpg from their hybrid cars.
Besides reading, I’ve also been doing some of the techniques … and tonite was my first “fill-up” since tracking my fuel efficiency.
I filled up 2 weeks ago, and drove 323 miles in that time (I use my car mostly for my commute back and forth to work). When I filled up tonite (stopping at the first auto shutoff — which I also did when I filled up last time — to keep things as accurate as possible), I put in 7.858 gallons. (In case any are wondering, I did this on 87 octane gas.)
The result was 41.1mpg!!
According to fueleconomy.gov, my 1995 Honda Civic EX is rated at 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway/26 mpg mixed.
So, for my first tank using these techniques (without getting any feedback help from things like “ScanGauge” that some hypermilers use), I’m getting 10mpg better fuel efficiency than the highway rating … and 15mpg better than the mixed driving — which is what I’m really doing.
I have to say I’m happy.
Next, I’m pushing for 45mpg (which should be achievable as I’m learning what techniques work best, as well as timing lights, etc).
One thing that I intend to do in the next tank full is to ensure that my tires are inflated to the maximum recommended on the tire.
It’s great to see people having success with safe and sensible hypermiling. And that you inflate your tires to the maximum recommended amount but not beyond it, so that you don’t risk anyone’s safety.
I’d of course be interested to see which of the techniques you used besides what you mentioned specifically.
Those ‘revised’ EPA ratings are very easily surpassed, but I’d say keep going and aim for 50 – which is totally doable. The Scangauge won’t likely work on a 1995 car (a few do, but 1996 is the magic number). Try the tire pressure at 40 PSI if you haven;t already.
Cheers from Canada
Keith
100mpg.ca
I was just wondering if you did your own baseline numbers besides just relying on the revised EPA ratings. I did and found my standard driving, pre-hypermiling was about exactly at the number for my 1999 Kia Sephia. I haven’t had my first fuel-up since starting though, since I had to delay my start for two fillings (to first mark and then calculate the mileage). I should be filling up again in two weeks due to a long work trip and am looking forward to seeing the results.
Good luck to you!
-Nikkole
http://www.7gens.com
By the way, not sure if it was intentional or not, but good choice of colors to minimize energy use for computer displays showing your blog! Easy on the eyes too!
Anna, safety is definitely a key; both for myself and for the other drivers out on the road.
I’ll expand more on the techniques I used in a posting in the next week or so.
Nikkole, first off, thanks for the complement on the theme. I’m glad you like it; unfortunately, I can’t say that “minimizing energy use for computer displays” was my purpose for choosing it.
I did not run my own hard baseline figures. I can say that my numbers mentioned above do exceed what I’ve been getting with the car over the past 14 years (I bought it brand new) — even when the car was young.
I would regularly get about 28-32mpg (based on mileage / rough fill-up gallons) depending on how much highway/city driving I would do — so I was exceeding those EPA numbers already with my regular driving habits.
I was getting less than 30mpg on my current commute routes over the past year or so … so this is definitely an improvement of at least 10mpg.