Alternate topic thread title: Do hybrids cause OCD over MPG?

The first two months and 3 tanks that I had my 08 FEH I was doing everything I could do to wring out even .1 MPG more out of that display on the console. I filled the tires, I stretched the EV mode as much as possible, every acceleration was as gentle as possible (except when drivers were piling up in back with bulging bloodshot eyes which is most of the time around here).

Best I could do was get a panel reading just over 30MPG. I reset the MPG counter at every fillup. When I do that just before going home (which is at the top of the hill), the MPG shows a depressing 20MPG or less and then over time creeeeps back up to 27+ something. If I go the other way, it shoots up to 35MPG plus the bleeds back down to 29- something over time.

Dambed thing is doing just what it is programmed to do and it gets frustrating. So I stopped watching it. I also gave up on all the intense MPG-nursing.

Now I just drive the way I used to drive, with comfortable accel and normal speeds, using the passing lane when I feel like it. I will downshift for a long deceleration but that's it (that's similar to a manual shift car anyway). I've never been an aggressive driver by habit and at the end of the tank the MPG reader showed 28.1MPG.

End result: I'm much happier. There's a lot to enjoy about the FEH other than its drive train, so why not just let the computer-centric engineering do what it was designed to do without thinking ovemuch about it and enjoy the rest? Every time I see a Mercedes M-class I'm struck by how much better deal the FEH is at $10K less and 30% MPG better. So the leather seats aren't as fancy but the sound system is better and it gives nothing up in terms of handling or visibility or styling.

I like this message board, but as for MPG OCD I'm calling it quits.

 

I hear you there! I wasn't quite the hyper-miler yet, still learning how I could get better miles. However, I was often disappointed to see low numbers.

Then I decided not to watch. I recently made a long trip. From western Wyoming to my home in CA (about 900 miles), I drove 70-75 mph (not above the speed limit, but right at it). I drove uphill. I drove in heavy snow (where I know the 4WD kicked in). I drove at very slow speeds because of the snow.

End result? 27.5 mpg! That's better than all of my watching.

As many of my trips are short, sometimes my miles go down as the ICE has to warm up and I don't have enough time in EV mode. I accept that now. But when I drive longer distances, I know the miles will be fine. And while I may still do some changes, I'm actually very happy not to have over-inflated tires when I was driving in that heavy snow!

 

Well, your problem is that you tried to do all of the trickery and watch your MPG's right from the start. The owners manual even says not to watch your fuel economy. It should be a sticky at the top of this forum that.....

For the first 3,000 miles you own the vehicle do not bother to watch the MPG. Do not worry about the MPG. The vehicle is going through a break-in/learning process. The computer needs to learn how the battery operates, how the charging cycles go, your driving environment/styles, etc. The battery must go through a conditioning phase. It will be very hard to get into EV mode. It will be hard to get the vehicle to exceed 25mph in EV mode. It will be hard to go more than a few blocks in EV.

These are the facts. Nothing you can do to change them. Your best bet is to practice your techniques so that when the time comes you are almost a pro. Once you hit about 3,000miles on the ODO you will suddenly find yourself cruising upwards of 35mph on battery alone and doing so for almost a mile if you are good.

Again, every experienced member here will tell you that. The manual will tell you that (though not in such detail of course). So please don't abandon your attempts to improve your MPG. Give them another shot!

 

Actually, it's because of this forum that I didn't really worry too much about my MPG's economy, despite what I wrote. It's also for this reason that I took my FEH on that long drive so that I could finally break it in and get some good miles on it. So I didn't watch too much.

What I was trying to point out is that even at 75 mph, or in -9 degree weather, or in heavy snow, I still got 27.5 mpg! That was most impressive to me!

 

The short answer to your question is YES! They do!

I now cross up to 9 states monthly. Most of you would be shocked at how much the gas quality varries from state to state. Really. So I apologize to all those of you who I thought ( in my mind ) were not trying very hard. When I use certain gas, I get 35+ MPG without trying. On other gas, it's hard to break 30 MPG. Shocking, but true. I've been reading up a lot lately, and there are more than 30 "flavors" of gasoline, all sold under the title of "Regular, 87". This sucks, and makes it impossible for you and I to compare our cars to others. I think some of the worst gas is in big cities, and some of the best gas is in rural areas. Why? Because ( the paradox is ) the cleaner the gas, the lower your MPG.

I really don't think the car takes 3 tanks to "get used to" different gas.
Most web sites, most car experts, and most researchers will say that the air/fuel mix gets optimized to different fuels in 30 minutes/miles. So I think Gary's car may be an exception, or perhaps MOST of the reset happens in the first 30 miles, and the rest optimizes after 3 tanks. Maybe like an asymptotic curve? I'm putting up to 30% ethanol into my FEH right after plain gas to run tests ( which are tending to come out to be 1.9% better FE than E10 by the way ) and by watching the LTFT number ( not sure how that is measured ) the number stabilizes after 30 minutes/ or about 30 miles.

But to your original question, I would never obsess over MPG like this if I didn't buy this Hybrid. I never did in the past.

-John

 

Ha ha. John I knew you would understand.

I have no problem with MPG optimizing as being a hobby. People are funny about cars and you find all sorts of car clubs dedicated to less productive things like in-car audio equipment (boom boom boom) and paint jobs and weird customizations and whatnot. Working out the details of how to get better MPG borders on being a public service rather than a self indulgence.

The thing is I am just a working stiff that needs good wheels for daily work and occasional play, and the fact that I don't have to think about it at all and still get 25-30% better MPG than I used to is good enough for me. Could I get 35%? 40%? I think so, but for what real purpose other than to prove I can? The amount of money it works out to is not that great, particularly with the amount of driving I do which isn't much.

What I "gave up" was staring at the MPG meter on the nav screen and the SG all the time, and those painstaking accel times that are annoying to the driver behind. I'll continue to read and participate on these boards for the tip and the insight, but before that I plan to just enjoy what turns out to be a really great car.

 

Alan, I agree that the amount of money saved by hypermiling isn’t as much an issue as the challenge. Yes, I like to save money. Dah!. But my real love of automobiles is my old 72’ VW, that gets PRIME garage space (well, so do my other vehicles). Point is, when I drive my VW, I run hard through the gears, downshift when slowing to keep the engine cooled, and never think about fuel economy. My challenge in the VW is to have fun, enjoy the ride, and get ‘Herbie’ back into the garage, all four wheels on carpet, and covered before it gets dirty. After all, my Grandson will be the next owner in 8 years I hope.

My hybrid challenge is to maximize it’s capabilities, within reason. Does it have to be a challenge? Of course not, but I choose to, because that’s what I like, pure and simple. Nobody has to apologize for just driving the FEH without being possessed by high MPG. If out of sight mileage were the ultimate goal, I would have purchased a Prius or HCH, or TCH. But the FEH is a great ride, comfortable, gets great mileage no matter how you drive it, and the wife wanted it J (I might be dumb, but I ain’t stupid).

Enjoy the ride, have fun. Keeping it simple is Good!

 

[quote=MrCrank;157939]Ha ha. John I knew you would understand.


What I "gave up" was staring at the MPG meter on the nav screen and the SG all the time quote]

The quality of gas can effect your mileage but not all of us live or drive in conditions that optiumize results. Don't compare yourself to the well known posters in terms of mileage. Compare your results in your hybrid to your previous vehicle. Most of us are working stiffs and don't need to beat ourself up anymore.

 

"I gave up" only had two months on his FEH. I noticed a steady increase as the vehicle broke in. At first I was getting 27-29, which was great compared to the 96 Dodge Caravan I was driving before. Then, after a few months or so, it went to 30-32. Now I'm getting 33-34 most of the time. I drive 30 miles one way from Waldorf, MD to the Pentagon. If I drive around Waldorf (like on the weekend), it drops back down to 28-29, but by Tuesday it's back up to 32-33 and back up to 33-34 by Wednesday. Give the vehicle a chance to break in, eventually the MPH will creep up. And sure, "a watched meter never goes up". It took me a year, (yeah, I'm slow) but now I press that button only once a week or so and am pleased to find it hovering around 33-34, occasionally flirting with 35 (35.6 today!).

Only suggestion I can make: I run the tank down to almost empty and reset all gauges each time I fill the tank.


HJ

 

Pretty much the same here, my driving situation only allows 27 below 40degrees and up to 32 above 70. Summer was way better for me. But all I do is remember what I was driving a year ago, a minivan that got 17! and I still have my Expedition that last look at the computer shows 11.something. I have changed some habits, slower starts, eaiser stops, when I can EV I do it for as long as I can w/o causing a pileup (mostly parking lots). I'm happy with where it's at.

And Oh yea it does cause OCD! And a game between my wife and I to see who can come home from work with the highest number on the screen (luckily we work at the same place, different times so it's kida fair. Alto she gets the warmth of the day to warm up faster and I have to drive at night w/lights on)

As for style, I love the looks of mine! The side molding makes a HUGE difference! I hope to get a bug shield, but want to wait for chrome.