GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars - View Single Post

xcel · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2005, 08:57 PM

Hi Shiloh:

___I will add some more commentary to the thread tomorrow as I have to get to bed but I have never had a tank from any vehicle (hybrid or non-hybrid) in the last 3 years not give me > then EPA highway estimates no matter the time of year, the temperature, or conditions. Below freezing temps have knocked me back towards EPA highway estimates but not below them so far … Having just said that, I will have to whistle past every graveyard, knock on every bit of wood I come across, and cross my fingers until they are blue to maintain this through the upcoming 05/06 winter season

___The following pic might be of some encouragement to you given this was in our 03 Acura MDX (4WD SUV) over an ~ 40 mile distance to the United Center to see the Harlem Globetrotters during one of Chicago’s largest blizzards of the 04/05 Winter season. The MDX is only rated at 17/23 City/Hwy. Sorry for it being blurry as it was taken by my youngest son just as we were exiting the Kennedy from the back seat …

Time: 7:08
Range: 321 miles
Avg. (= FE): 31.2 mpg
Outside Temperature: 21 degrees F

___With the above, the 4WD Escape HEV, the upcoming HH, and the just released RXh will climb whatever slope you can throw at them while providing as much heat as you can stand, and you will still receive better FE from them then you would from their respective sibling SUV’s because of the Atkinson intake designs on all 3 let alone the hybrid gear working as expected or not during the coldest weather months before being fully warmed up or not.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net