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Old 12-11-2007, 01:39 AM
rburt07 rburt07 is online now
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
 
Real Name: Jimmy
Location: Southern New Mexico
Hybrids: 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
Posts: 412
Default Re: Mileage...generally speaking

Here are my methods. First I would use a good brand of gasoline from: http://www.toptiergas.com/
click Retailers to see the list.

I leave my display set to the battery where I can easily see if i'm using the ice (engine), battery or both. I can tell when the battery is being charged during coast. The white in the battery icon shows the amount of charge.

I learned to split my driving by the 40 miles per hour on the speedometer. Above 40 you're mostly using the ice. Under 40 if you're steady on the accelerator you may go into the EV mode. The car will then run on batteries with the engine off. This is where you really pick up the gas mileage. You can drive about 2 miles in the EV mode. When the batteries get down to 40% charge the engine will take over and also recharge the batteries. The recharge at 45 miles per hour takes about a mile.

Never, ever accelerate up grades or hills if you can keep from it. With a little extra speed, you can almost coast up many hills. I speed back up on the downside. I learned to pulse down about 5 miles per hour on the up side. Then pulse the 5 miles per hour back up on the downside. I love the easy to use cruise control.

There are a few smooth streets and roads around our small city where I can use the cruise control. I have learned in the mornings with the cold engine to ease up to 26 miles per hour and use the cruise. After 1/2 mile I ease up to 30 using the cruise again. That seems to save fuel till the engine reaches it's normal temperature. I live 1 1/2 miles on a small paved road off the main highway.

I run 40 psi cold in the michelin energy tires. They still ride very smooth. I coast a lot, looking for red lights ahead. I ride the brakes lightly to any stops. That helps to charge the traction battery. The more charge, the easier it is to use the EV only mode or the engine assist mode. Many times I look at the mpg/meter and its sitting at 59 mpg with the engine pulling the car along. This is usually at 45 miles per hour on a level road.

I'm old, so I take off normally. Easy on the takeoffs helps save fuel. I try not to hold traffic up though. My car seemed broken in at the first oil change. I switched to the toyota 0w-20 full synthetic oil and oil filter from my local dealer. The dealers tech told me the 0W should add 1 or 2 mpgs. I find its more like 1.

In the EV mode (mpg needle pointing all the way down below 60) I drive from 25 to 38-39 miles per hour on smooth roads, using the cruise. Trips, I drive about 55 - 60 miles per hour. In a hurry I can go faster if needed. Say, once broken in I found this thing flies when passing another car at highway speeds.

I call my car the white lightning. My current average is 49 mpg. I achieve this by driving 45 miles per hour and slower. We live 8 miles from town on a smooth highway. I can drive slow to town and back and pick up the extra mpg. In town there are few red lights and are 1/4, 1/2 to 3/4 mile separation. I live in southern new mexico near white sands. It's rather dry out here and not much wind and that helps my average mpg. I use Phillips 66 gas, 86 octane.

I'm sure my mileage will go down as the weather gets colder.

Good luck with the new Camry.

I hope this helps.

Last edited by rburt07 : 12-11-2007 at 02:02 AM.
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