Broke 50 MPG

[STC]

Originally Posted by nmgolfer

Thanks for the reply Mark. Your mileage makes sense at those speeds and highway vs. city percentages along with contentious driving. I'm pleased I got 43.8 in combined city highway on my first tank and I aim to do better on the next.

Yes form drag typically begins to exceed rolling resistance (and other linear loses) at about 55 mpg and rises exponentially. That is why aerodynamic form factor (drag coefficient times frontal area or CdA) is so critically important. Unfortunately its not possible to drive 55 in most places and still go with the flow. Jimmy Carter tried (for this reason... and because it saves lives) but Americans like more speed and have longer distances to travel particularly in the West.

Yaris compares pretty good with CdA at 6.13 as compared to 5.84 for the third Gen Prius. But there is room for improvement. I'd like to see more aerodynamic wheel covers and rear wheel well covers on the next Gen Yaris and if they could make it a low cost plug in hybrid with regen braking that would be even better... then we could use racing discs on front wheels and back.

You’re welcome! 43.8 MPG combined on your first tank is very good. More likely you will do better the next time around. With that first tank, what was your percentage in city vs highway driving and speed? How about terrain? Years back when I was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I recall on the Interstate some long grades, but not much steepness?

Yes, CdA is non-linear in scale! That is why I keep my speed under 55 MPH. Honda in my eyes has always made cars with good CdA design in mind. Too bad they stopped making the CRX line in the 90’s.... they were great non-hybrid FE cars. What’s up with Honda today? Their 1st Gen Insight was great in CdA numbers!

I’m fortunate that I can drive under 55 MPH. The flow seems like 55-60 in posted 55 MPH zones and 65-75 in 65 MPH zones. People don’t pass me going terribly fast. I’ve gotten a few beeps (3 so far) and a couple of fingers... LOL! Most importantly, I’m not a hazard to others driving safety. We have large Amish communities in Central and Southeast Pennsylvania... most people drive carefully on country roads because of the hills and slow moving Amish buggies.

That was actually a wonderful idea that Mr. Carter thought up of during the second gas crunch in the 70’s. Too bad, it never became very popular. Could you imagine if everyone drove 55 and under with basic hypermiling techniques? ...Less deaths, personal vehicle expenses, and of course less oil consumption.

Let us know how your FE does in future tanks, Rick!

BTW: Contentious driving? I'm more of a conscious driver. I’m passive when it comes down to driving...

Cheers!