11-26-2005, 11:55 AM
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Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
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Real Name: Keith
Location: Las Vegas
Hybrids: '05 Accord Hybrid
Posts: 1,340
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Current MPG - 11/26/05
I stopped for fuel right off the highway just south of Tucson on I-10, yesterday. I filled up and got right back onto the interstate without having to stop. I hit 60 miles per hour (55 miles per hour speed limit) and set the cruise. For the next 30 miles, I was getting 48.x mpg on both displays!! At one point, it was in the mid 50s. But some slight inclines took care of that. But even so, averaging 48 mpg is WAY above EPA estimates. And I'm STILL not using hypermiling techniques! When I left Tucson, and the speed limit went up to 75, I set the cruise to 70, and the mileage went down to 42-43 mpg. Then after several miles, I set the cruise at 80 miles per hour, and the mileage went to 41-42 mpg.
By the time I hit Phoenix, I had 43.x mpg on both displays. But, I made the mistake of getting off at the Arizona Mills Outlet Malls. The parking lot was hectic! All that stop and go brought me down to 38 mpg. By the time I finally made it home, 30 more miles, I was back up to 39.9 mpg on the dash display. I'm guessing the Navi display is just above 40 mpg, since it reads slightly higher all the time. I didn't look at it when I got home.
I still don't use any hypermiling techniques. Well, with the exception of being smooth on the throttle and brakes. Not slow, but smooth. I still accelerate at a pretty good rate, as not to annoy the drivers behind me. I get the smoothness from racing motorcycles. It helps balance the suspension and affects overall stability. I've never really applied these principles to a four wheel vehicle until I got my HAH. Now I use the same principles in four wheel vehicles to obtain better FE.
Perhaps, the next time I'm back home in VA, I'll have to take a trip up to see GoNavy and enroll in his "hypermiler seminar." 
On another note, as I passed Casa Grande, AZ (between Phoenix and Tucson) I saw a Love's gas station with an 87 octane price of $2.159! That's less than what gas cost at this time one year ago!  Too bad, Phoenix's average is still around $2.299.
Last edited by bar10dah : 11-26-2005 at 03:06 PM.
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