A question for all you "hypermilers" out there

bull8042 · 06-10-2008, 08:32 AM

I can't seem to come to a reliable conclusion to this as I have been unable to maintain any real consistency in my driving environment.
My question is thus... To maintain the greatest mpg average, should one accelerate moderately/semi-aggressively from a stop to cruising speed or accelerate as gently as possible to the desired speed?
My reasoning is slower acceleration uses a lighter throttle and therefore less fuel, but for a greater period gaining speed.
Quicker acceleration uses more fuel, but for a shorter period of time. I can't come up with a way to scientifically measure these factors because the effects of the scangauge delay coupled with other factors that are uncontrollable.
I think reasonable conclusions can only be drawn from someone who can consistently maintain each driving style over a whole tank or more while keeping routes, elevation changes, etc to a bare minimum. Or from someone whose engineering degree is in something besides electrical, as mine has not seemed to help me shed any light on this subject.

**SmartCard** · 06-10-2008, 08:41 AM

I get the feeling sometimes that the lighter throttle in auto mode sometimes has the car straining too much. The shifts are too quick and you're in 3rd or 4th at less then 2 grand and it feels like its laboring abit. On the other hand, more throttle does give you better shifts at higher rpms, but too much of a good thing does use more gas. To me, the best compromise to get the smoothest, more controlled shifts would be to take it out of auto, and shift my self where I can get at little higher shift points, w/o having to hit the throttle as much as would be necessary to do the same in auto mode. Of course, I'm only into my second tankful - and like you say you really have to drive consistently one way or the other on a whole tank over the same roads to know if its made any difference in mileage.

bull8042 · 06-10-2008, 09:28 AM

OK, we are definitely on the same page then. I need to start using the A/C more at higher speeds though. Yesterday was 103 here and I still didn't use it. Guess I have lived in the South too long...
I am going to have to try the downshifting too and see if that seems to help any.

**jwight** · 06-10-2008, 11:58 AM

All good ideas. The debate over downshifting is ongoing; basically, do you want to replace brake pads (pretty cheap) or a clutch (not so cheap) when the time comes. I'm voting for brake pads.

bull8042 · 06-10-2008, 12:03 PM

There is definitely something to said for that argument. I am with you on that one...

RVGRINGO · 06-10-2008, 12:04 PM

All this discussion! Here's the simple answer from a 70 year-old with more Smart experience than all of you whippersnappers: Restrict your driving to downhill only and stay in sixth gear. Oh yeah, the 2008 only has five so you're out of luck.

bull8042 · 06-10-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVGRINGO

All this discussion! Here's the simple answer from a 70 year-old with more Smart experience than all of you whippersnappers: Restrict your driving to downhill only and stay in sixth gear. Oh yeah, the 2008 only has five so you're out of luck.

jejeje! Allá, no es de su hora de acostarse?