Hi folks,
I didn't know the book had come out until someone mentioned it a couple of weeks ago. From Nick Yost
the essential Hybrid car handbook {A Buyer's Guide}, The Lyons Press, 2006, pp. 8:
Quote:
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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: - Keep tire pressure well above the manufacture's recommendations, to lower rolling resistance.
- Do not fill the oil resevoir to the full mark. That reduces the power needed to keep the oil circulating.
- Don't speed.
- 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.
- Do not exceed 25 miles per hour until the engine warms up. The gasoline engine will not shutdown until it is warmed up.
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An accident of history, Nick Yost was looking for hypermilers to interview for his book in the winter/spring of 2006. This was the interval when some folks were off organizing CleanMPG.com. Nick asked for volunteers.
I'm not bragging by any stretch of the imagination and my understanding has improved over time. However, Nick got it right enough and I'm especially happy he pointed out, "rejects the hypermiler label."
Bob Wilson