No, Ben, I haven't...Was it you that suggested the Aquapel? If so, how/what do you think is better about it than Rain-X? I've got a years worth of Rain-X product sitting in the garage so I'm not keen on switching products unnecessarily, but if it is a lot superior I would give it a try.

 

Just thought I would bring you all up to date on my civic hybrid mileage. I have around 10,000 miles on the car and th e overall average is 41 m/gal. However, last week I took a trip of 900 miles and got 48 m/gal ! I think it was due to my actively trying to keep the gauge as high as possible and accelerating slowly.

Larry

 

Some things to remember about the FE data on this site, and all other similar hybrid-interest sites, is that it is..

1. Probably biased. Submitting data is purely voluntary and there is no dependable way to evaluate weather the samples (data submitted) are representative of the population (all hybrids).
2. Probably at the high end of FE results. Since there is little incentive to go to the bother of posting data, I bet that only those folks who like their vehicle and are satisfied (with FE etc) bother to post. Those who are unsatisfied probably don't post, don't post as often, or get rid of the vehicle. If there is an incentive, it is to brag about how efficient you are. This site even gives out gold stars and the title HYPERMILER!
3. Sample size is too small. Only for the Prius and Civic, and maybe the Camary and Accord, is enough data from different vehicles present to generate reasonably confident statistics even within the samples themselves. Examining the Prius data for example I noticed that nearly 1/2 of the submitted vehicles have recorded 5 or fewer tanks of data. Anyway, because of the inherent bias of the data, we cannot know what the statistics reveal.
4. Putting the data in is a minor pain but a pain nonetheless. I am about 10 tanks behind.
5. Individual driving conditions & habits vary widely. I never expect to be listed as a Hypermiler because my commute is only 7 miles over hilly country. A short commute is good for the environment but bad for the Gold Star! But I love my HAH and get a blast every day in that 15 min. It's why I post data (see #2 above).

 

This is an important point that to some extent I would like to agree as long as we also recognize those who also faithfully record low mileage. We have a number of them in the 01-03 Prius group:
Demming had pointed out the problem with rewards:
I saw this first hand when I noticed that my first tank was the only tank keeping me from getting a hypermiler star at exactly 3,000 miles. I asked and was soundly told, "No, every tank is important." so I kept the data. Three weeks later, I had my hypermiler star but I realized that some folks were using it as part of a 'pecking order.' Indeed I've been criticized for not having a sufficiently high mileage as other 'experts' when I've criticized extreme driving.

I'm not ready to 'give up' my star not because it has any special merit but because those who are ego and status driven need the insights I share with them. The 'star' can sometimes enable their hearing, if not their understanding. As for the critics, my 'star' puts them in the position of claiming, "You're mileage is not good enough to have an opinion in spite of your hypermiler star." <GRINS>

But there are techniques that I can show to give anyone an excellent answer. I can show you how to get an MFD of full bars and a mileage display showing "100 mpg." It takes about two hours but once you've done it and taken the photos, keep them handy or make them thumbnails for your signature. It is easy to do.

Bob Wilson

 

I OWN that Deming book (but can't find it at the moment )!
Met Dr. Deming once. Sharp man, ignored by WAY too many (most) American companies, and welcomed by many Japanese ones. Draw your own conclusions.