This "dilemma" would sound trivial to normal people, but here in this forum, where people agonize over such things as how much brake pressure to apply, I think it is appropriate.

I park in a four-story parking garage at work. I always park on the fourth floor, in the farthest corner of the garage. I do this for three reasons:

1. I always get the same spot and thus always know where my car is.
2. I get more exercise from having to walk farther to get to and from my car.
3. I never have anyone parking next to me and thus never worry about door dings.

Now, when I get my TCH (god, will it ever come?), I am going to be trying to optimize my MPG. I'm sure it's suboptimal to drive round and round, climbing ramps, to get to my favorite parking spot. I'm sure that, for the sake of maximizing gas mileage, I ought to park in the first open spot on the ground floor.

My question is, given this kind of tradeoff, what would you greenhybrid folks do?

Thanks...

So far when I drive my TCH in my parking lot at work I am almost always driving 100% electric, however this is a flat lot. I'm not sure how it would do on steep parking garage ramps....

Lobby the parking lot to designate a "Hybrids-only" parking spot at the entrance to the garage.

Would-be hypermiler

I find I can run in EV mode up parking ramps at about 10mph. The key is to get the car moving before genlty accerating past 5mph. If I try and accelerate from a stop, I almost always start the ICE. If I let the car roll forward to a few mph, I can then add some throttle and stay in EV mode.

When starting the TCH after work, If I just stay parked with my foot on the brake, the ICE shuts down in under 10 seconds after it starts. Then I can back out, and drive around the parking structure in EV mode on my way out. Then drive off into traffic with the ICE as it warms up.

As long as no one is riding my tail, I can usually go all electric up to the second floor in our parking garage. I'll get up the ramp at about 9-10 mph. I haven't tried going up another level yet.

(that's what my car tells me, so it must be true)

Whatever you use in gas going up, you'll likely save by coasting down. I don't think there will be a net negative impact on MPG. If I were you, I'd continue parking where you are on the 4th floor.

You'll be able to drive up the ramps in the garage in electric mode, so I wouldn't sweat it. I park on the far corner of the 2nd floor in my garage for that reason.

Give it a shot. I think if I were using the ICE to get up the ramps the savings on the way down wouldn't be worth it. But if you can get up the ramps on the batteries only then it would definitely be worth it since the regen on the way down would recharge the batteries.

Also, a little extra gas may be worth it to avoid parking lot dings. I'd give up 0.1 mpg to keep it looking new.

You guys are great! I knew I was in the right place.

This was some very useful advice... I can't wait to try it.

Now if only the car would come...

Greetings;

Just in case you think all advise is useful around here:

Remember that momentum is your friend, hitting the ramp at 55 mph might allow you to coast up several levels , even w/ regen if you're ambitious enough . I know about gates and attendants, that's what makes it funny

W. Marc Schmitz
06hchII MagPearl