Highway Driving Tips?

There are many techniques I use depending on traffic and wind direction to increase highway mileage in my FEH. As with city driving, high tire pressure and constantly monitoring the lowest RPM's is the key. You'll find that at a steady state speed, you can back-off the accelerator a few hundred RPM's and still maintain your speed. It's very easy to let the RPM's creep back up, so know your RPM's at all times.

Here is a list of things I do:

1. On-Ramps - accelerate at the lowest RPM's to speed that traffic will allow. I begin looking for a large box truck or semi as soon as I can, even on the on-ramp. I try to keep the RPM's at no higher than 1,800, and a maximum of 2,400 and hold till I reach my target speed.

2. It's better to keep the climate control in the off position and all four windows down 1-2 inches for in and out air flow. I adjust windows to wind noise myself. Ford engineers say the A/C will reduce MPG more than open windows at highway speeds, I agree.

3. I prefer to not use cruise control, but for some people who don't want to work to increase mileage, it might be better. I tend to slow going up hills and overpasses and get back to speed on the downhill.

4. Drafting - A one and a half second delay seems not to upset truckers and increases your mileage quite well. In heavy traffic, you may want to get a little closer to avoid people from constantly cutting between you and your draft partner. I prefer to draft at 60mph with a maximum of ~70mph. With a higher speed draft, I evaluate other slower trucks as we pass and may switch to the slower one depending on headwinds and quality of the draft partners driving habits (changing speeds etc.). With a good draft, you can turn on the A/C and roll the windows up and still get great mileage. In fact, on hot days I avoid city driving and draft on the highway with A/C on my 20 mile commute.

5. I do not exceed the highway speed limit and drive in the right lane. I use neutral coasting and "L" to slow down with traffic, even while drafting. Entering "N" also prevents the negative split mode and can increase your instant MPG over 200.

6. Monitor headwinds, tailwinds and crosswinds wisely. Back-off speeds in headwinds without a draft. Take advantage of tailwinds and reduce those RPM's at a steady state speed. With crosswinds, draft on the opposite side of the lane a little. If you feel your vehicle being blown around by drafting with a crosswind, discontinue the draft and reduce speed to an acceptable traffic speed.

7. Exit the highway with "N" coasting well before the ramp. Go EV at 40mph and continue to coast in "N" till you need to start slowing in "L" and applying the brakes if needed for a stop. Continue in EV as much as possible with that full battery.

hdgfdrhetrwegrethrthehrhrtherhrtgrrrtgejrrehtjehtejrjerhhwrheehr