I use the accelerate briskly & coast method. I usually push the peddle to about the 1/2 way position, then set the cruise immediately when I hit the speed I want to cruise at. Am I using the right amount of throttle for maximum MPG? Thanks. B)
Probably. You don't want to hear the ICE racing or straining. You're shooting for somewhere around 2500rpm (if that's any help to you). Using CAN-View has helped that process for me greatly so I know when I'm within the optimal efficiency range. In any case, any moderate to brisk acceleration will likely land you in the 2000-3500rpm range which is pretty good.
What is CAN-view? It would have been nice if the car had a tach. I guess what you're saying makes sense. I have no idea when the ICE is around 2500 RPMs.
A friend of mine - Classic Prius - said that he accelerates not much faster or not much slower than the traffic beside him until he gets to within 20% of his desired speed. Then he lets up slowly and cruises up to the desired speed. Granted he told me that rather than showing me. For me, I try to do about the same. If you're tromping the pedal, that's too much. If the Hummer behind you rolls up and over your hatch, that's too slow. Like Evan said, there is a "target" that you're aiming for. Unfortunately, it's one of those things that you have to learn for yourself.
So far I've gotten the best city milege by using the 1/2 throttle method. Currently I'm getting almost 52 MPG. The temp has been in the 60's most days this week. I have only taken 1 highway ride. I averaged 52 MPG at 71 MPH when the car had 500 miles on it. This weekend I will be doing highway miles again & we'll see. I am @ 1500 miles now.
I tend to accelerate somewhat faster than traffic if I'm at the front of the line, but then they catch me as I approach cruise speed b/c I'm backing off to avoid the higher RPMs.
It happens to me too. The prius is so quiet and smooth I don't realize I'm accelerating faster then them. I m trying to convince myself that this is the most FE way to accelerate. I tend to accelrate just hard enough for the RPM of the engine to go up a 'little bit' In this mode the car feels more responsive and that 'lugging' feeling goes away. That said cars catch me quickly as I start to coast at speed limit
That rate of acceleration usually puts me at around 3100RPM...backing off of that slightly might be a tad more efficient, but I like to make sure people know the Prius isn't the one holding up traffic!
I use a slightly different method. I accelerate fairly briskly but then I overshoot my target MPH (Usually 70 in a 65 on the freeway) and then I coast down to my target and past it and then surge up past it to be followed by another coast. Seems to help increase my MPG on the freeway, where I do a lot of driving.
My reccomendation is... Watch your energy screen, if you see yellow arrow from battery on accelerating, it is too much and you're wasting the battery energy. Please refer to following page; http://hybridcars.about.com/od/ownership/a/pulseandglide.htm Ken@Japan
Up to 1/2 the pedal distance is fine. Spend the rest of your (extra) attention on timing lights and traffic.
Thanks all for your help. Today I filled my "Gumdrop". I have a black 2006, so we named him that. I really don't know if the Gumdrop is a boy or a girl, BUT compared to our 1999 Chev. Metro he is a power house. If you ever want to test drive a real bow wow drive a 3 cyl. Metro. Today I filled the car. Miles: 247/all city. No A/C or heat this week. Temps in the 55-78 degree range. Computer said 51.5 Actual after 1st click up to the next dollar got me 53.2 MPG. I'm impressed!
I avoid filling up past the 1st click. Spilling petrol on the ground cured me of that habit. I do use the low flow notch to avoid early shut off.
You're quite right. I fill on low until the 1st click. Then fill to the next dollar. This makes it very consistant. My weekly gas bill has dropped by about $20. That equates to $80/month. The interest on my loan right now is just above $80. I intend to pay it off within 12-15 months. I can't stand the thought of paying interest!
