New HCH in NY - GreenHybrid

KLCarch · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 12:33 PM

Hi All,
I've had my HCH for a week today! I love it! I've got a blue CVT. We live in Rockland County, NY near the Tappan Zee Bridge. My old car was a 91 explorer - boy is this a change! I love my old explorer, but I'm looking forward to getting 45-50mpg for sure!
so far I'm getting 35mpg. Isn't it amazing that 35mpg can be a 'dissapointment'?? I used to get 15 in the explorer, but now that I know you can get 45+, I'm not happy with 35! Especially since I got 40 on a test drive (a different car at the dealer- he has 3 in stock) and I'm struggling to get over 30 now. I have a home office - so no commute, only little local stuff: driving the kids & instruments to school, groceries, etc - all <5 mile trips.
enjoying all the posts, dissapointed to find out that mobil is discontinueing 0w20 mobil 1, and looking forward to getting better at "the game"
see y'all around the site

KLC

tbaleno · #2 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 01:51 PM

I don't think you will get huge milage numbers in 5 mile trips unless its a straight shot with no lights or anything. The car will barely warm up by the time you get to your destination and most of the FE features seem to only be effective when the car is warmed up. If you haven't already you should read the Driving for Efficiency at http://www.greenhybrid.com/learn/article/6 in the Learn section.

Jason · #3 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 01:58 PM

Glad you like your Civic Hybrid, Kate. Don't expect stellar mileage with trips less than 5 miles, though. Welcome to GreenHybrid!

ericbecky · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 04:59 PM

Good luck with the HCH. Jason's right about those short trips. sometimes they can be mileage killers. Anytime you can stack a few errands together it is probably a good idea. I'm sure you don't miss getting 15mpg! Good for you, and welcome to Greenhybrid.

billyt1963 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2005, 06:01 PM

I hope you continue to enjoy your HCH. I too have very short drives and I so look forward to the weekends when I run all my errands and often have to drive accross town! You will be able to get better gas mileage but may have to wait for the warmth of summer.

Billy

KLCarch · #6 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 04:48 AM

Billy-
you have 'short drives' too? what kind of mileage are you getting?
I am working diligently on the driving I DO get to work on keeping my fuel consumption at a minimum of 40 on the bar (FCD?) display, and coast as much as possible- not that flat here though. yesterday coming back from a highway trip (yea) with the kids, I put it in neutral and coasted from the stop sign, about 1/2 mile to our driveway: this included a small down hill, a flat, and ended with a small uphill - me and the kids were betting if we'd make it up the hill, and then how far past- we made it to about a foot from our driveway and stopped. (no cars on the road behind us) So I put it in gear and pulled in.
We're still having fun with the new toy!

coyote · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 07:38 AM

I'm not Billy, but I will chime in with my experience, FWIW.

I have a six mile, moderately hilly commute to work which includes fourteen traffic signals and two stop signs. The weather here is also pretty moderate, even in winter. I seem to get between 42 and 44 mpg in this environment -- a lot depends on how kind the traffic signals are to me on any particular day.

On the highway I have tended to average around 50 mpg or better.

I don't really employ any specific gas-saving 'tricks', but then my normal driving style is pretty mellow to begin with, and I tend to drive at or slightly above the posted speed limit.

KLCarch · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the response Chuck
(I think I was corresponding with you on another site about which engine type & how to determine it: sticker under the hood. I got a 3YCV)
I'm glad to hear you're getting 42-44mpg locally. I really am dissapointed so far at my paltry 35mpg. I was really hoping for high 40s, and with work maybe into the 50s. Still, I guess I should give the car a chance to break in. (turned over 150 miles yesterday) My driving style also has always been mellow, my brakes always last twice as long, and I already coasted into stoplights - still, I am watching the guage and working it.
In two weeks I have a seminar in Boston - so I'm looking forward to 4hrs of highway. We'll see what happens then!

thanks for all the replies guys

tbaleno · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 09:06 AM

Check your tire preasure often. If you add a few extra pounds of preasure over what honda recomends you might gain a few mpg. It may cost you some comfort though depending on how much extra air you put in.

billyt1963 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2005, 03:27 PM

I will try to give you a short response. My "normal" drive to work is right at 6 miles. I experimented the last couple of weeks and my morning commute averaged in the upper 40's with temperatures between 43 and 54. The drive home is not as good. There are a couple of things that contribute. The morning drive is at 5 am, and I am about the only one on the road. Over all my tanks my lowest is around 42 (first tank) with the highest being 49+ (see Karuma). My tire pressure is near 45 for all tires.

Best of luck with your short commute.

Billy