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"Ray O" <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote in message
news:caa9f$44d21d6a$44a4a10d$25929@msgid.meganewsservers.com...[color=blue]
>
> "Francois" <frangagn@yahoo.ca> wrote in message
> news:1154611655.735871.8230@s13g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...[color=green][color=darkred]
>> >
>>> That's odd. Hybrids typically do better in the city and lower on the
>>> hiway.
>>>[/color]
>>
>> Yep! That's why I'm puzzled... I know the thing can do very well, I've
>> seen it, but inconsistently.
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>> Use the recommended cheapest fuel. You bought it to save money, right?
>>>[/color]
>>
>> At the cost of the HH, I'm not sure I saved much money anyways.... lol!
>>
>> But I certainly bought it for fun! How much fun can you get per gallon?
>>
>> FG
>>[/color]
>
> Applying the brakes will charge your battery while coasting does not.
> Check out that part in your owner's manual.
> --
>
> Ray O
> (correct punctuation to reply)
>[/color]

I believe that is wrong. I have one of the Highlander Hybrids and while I
only have about 3000 miles on it, I love it. There is a graphic indicator
on the dash that shows a battery, engine and wheels. Arrows point to where
the power is coming from or going to. If I am coasting, it indicates that
the battery is being charged, which makes sense.

You can notice a big change from a regular car when coasting. The engine
braking that you would get in a normal car is going to the battery and not
the wheels and the car doesn't slow down as quickly. It is something that
you really have to get used to or you will approach intersections much
quicker than you would normally anticipate.

I can apply cruise control when I hit 40 MPH and the car will run on battery
only for quite a while if on a level road. The slightest rise in elevation
will turn on the engine though and while I had fun experimenting earlier, I
no longer try this but just drive normally.

I get about 29 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway. The city mileage
is getting a little better with each tank, but I don't know what it will
settle at,

Another feature I really like about the car is the CVT, which means no shift
points in the transmission. My last couple of cars had abrupt and annoying
shifts and this is a pleasant change.

Don D.