Hi Jason:

___I control when the ICE shuts off with both the key at high speeds > 20 mph and with the speedometer and tach at 20 mph and below. We have a small light that says we are in Autostop or the tach falls to 0 with the clutch engaged. For fuel economy driving in the Prius, the power flows add zip because you can control when the ICE shuts down without it. Watch your speed and feel your acceleration. The power flow meter doesn’t tell you when the ICE is going to shut down, it tells you the ICE shut down after the fact I believe. It is a rear view mirror kind of thing.

___As for the instantaneous gauges in the Honda’s, I think the fuel economy of the Honda hybrid’s speaks for themselves … Look at the Graham Scanner for the Prius I. Without it, you are practically flying blind. With it, you have an idea as to how to drive with load and the mileage numbers speak for themselves. Rick Reece’s recent post about the scanner should speak volumes about what the Prius I and II display should have displayed for maximizing fuel economy instead of a power flow diagram in its place. Some of the more detailed real time data from that scanner would work well for us Insight pilots as well!

___Finally, it appears by the few screen shots I have seen of the Ford Escape Hybrid, it is spec’ed to show the Power flow diagram as well? Why not the various instantaneous load, fuel use, and fuel economy segment meters to learn how to drive for maximum fuel economy instead?

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net