Quote:
Originally Posted by liderbug
Thanks all. Kind of confirmed what I've thinking and seeing. Here is how I'm driving. I try to find a route has 10% steep up, 90% slight grade down. When I hit a hill I try to get as many assist bars as possible up to 3000 rpm. Flat and level never over 2000. Downhill, 1200 - and 100 on instant. I got to work the other day with 72.2 showing and then 52.3 when I got home. But then there's a 1000 ft difference.
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What you are describing is what I call "terrain driving." You are selecting a route that allows you to efficiently achieve enough altitude that the subsequent descent takes little or no fuel burn. The trick is to climb the hill in the most fuel efficient power range and then control your speed on the descent for the least fuel burn, none if possible.
I'm impressed by the 1,000 ft. altitude change but some parts of the country are that way. In North Alabama, I'm close to the Piedmont plateau and most of the near-by hills are well under 1,000 ft.
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson