'07 TCH MPG is improving

[dannw1431]

Hi,

My '07 TCH has about 46K miles now and it seems the MPG is improving. Last year at this time I was getting around 40MPG on my back roads commute to work (23 miles each way) But now I am getting 46MPG over the same commute.

I was wondering if other people had seen this type of improvement as their car ages?

Thanks

[carolinacamry]

My '08 TCH has 22,000 on it and for the past 2 months has stayed around 39 mpg on every tank. One day, the onboard 'puter said I was getting 46 mpg. Have never gotten this mileage when I figure gas mileage on paper. Best I've ever gotten was 41 when figured the old fashion way was 41 mpg. I'm guessing the time of year or outside temperature has a lot to do with mpgs.

[homa2001]

Stopped doing paper calc, but recently seems like my 07 TCH is dropping in milage. Maybe I'm just trying less.

PS. Just went over 30K recently.

[Pipemajor]

Our '07 now has about 34k miles but we get a large discrepancy in mileage depending on which driver is operating the car. When I drive it, I can achieve a consistent 38-39mpg. When my wife drives, our mpg goes down to about 34.

[Ray Gunderson]

We have an 08 TCH with about 22k on it. When I drive it (mostly on trips) I can easily get 40-41 on the highway. When my wife drives it around town, maybe 36-38. Of course, during winter, when she runs the heat a lot, it drops to the low 30s. (I can't say what effect running the AC in the summer has on it though. It doesn't seem to have the same effect as running the heat.) Also, it all depends on how aggressively you drive (duh!). She's much more "aggressive" than I am on the road. I'm retired so I'm content to let the rest of the world pass me at 80+MPH, while I go the speed limit +/-. This DOES help with the MPG though.

[Pipemajor]

Totally agree. This is one instance where the heated leather seat option could "help" your fuel economy. We use cabin heat a LOT in Minnesota during winters.

I've found since driving the hybrid my driving habits HAVE changed. I feather the throttle more and coast longer up to the stoplights. I'm sure the SUV drivers behind me are infuriated - I had a Cadillac Escalade blast past me at wide open throttle since I was "only" doing 46mph in a 45mph zone once on a 2 lane road. I caught back up to him at the stop sign...

The single most important factors in achieving maximum fuel economy are:

1. Properly inflated tires
2. Reducing speed
3. Maintaining a well-tuned engine

Properly inflated tires
Remember when John McCain and the right wing radio screechers made fun of Obama's suggestion that motorists regularly check their tire pressures? Right wing radio types never were known for accuracy but their listeners aren't the most informd or open-minded either.

National 55mph speed limit
Nixon proposed and Congress passed the 50/55mph national speed limit in response to the 1973 OPEC oil embargo. When Republicans gained the majority back in the 1994 elections, they began to delegate speed limits back to the states where virtually all of the 55mph limits eventually were repealed. Guess they must have thought we could continue to get $.99/gal gas forever.

Engine tuneups
Not really much of a factor now that fuel injection is pretty much standard on all newer vehicles (my 1968 VW squareback had factory Bosch electronic fuel injection). Platinum-tipped OEM spark plugs almost negate the need for periodic tuneups. Still, a dirty air filter will negatively impact performance and economy.

If the lead-footers want to do 80mph, I'm perfectly content to let them do so. I don't, however, feel that gives them an automatic right-of-way...

[CarLuvrSD]

Originally Posted by Pipemajor

Our '07 now has about 34k miles but we get a large discrepancy in mileage depending on which driver is operating the car. When I drive it, I can achieve a consistent 38-39mpg. When my wife drives, our mpg goes down to about 34.

I've noticed the same thing, these cars don't seem to like women.


Sadly the real reason seems to be that they aren't as tuned in to the mechanics of the whole Hybrid experience.

There are several tricks I take advantage of, that most women who've driven my car ignore. Light, steady foot on accelerator, light early braking for maximum regenerative braking. When driving on relatively level freeways I watch the mpg meter and can keep it pegged on 60 much of the time. The trick is to let up on the accelerator as far as possible without slowing down. You can feel your RPMs drop and your torque increase. The car is barely idling. Last summer I used these techniques to achieve the best long distance freeway mileage I've ever gotten. From Bellingham Wa, to Roseburg Or. I got 47 mpg.

I almost always better the old EPA ratings, although flip flopped (I do better on the freeway), while most women I know are lucky to get the new, lower estimates.