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Hybrid Summer Driving

Created July 1, 2005, at 10:07 am by Anonymous

Here in South Florida its getting hot. Driving without the A/C would be crazy so I've tried to find ways to get better MPG with it running. City driving MPG is dropping to 29-30 because of using max A/C to keep cool in the high heat (+90 degrees). I've stayed off the highways this Spring and kept my averages in the 36-40 MPG range.

I have the FWD FEH but I'm sure most hybrids could improve MPG with the A/C on. I think Honda uses an electric A/C but I don't know how that is working out in +90 degree weather.

Since driving in the city stop and go with the A/C on doesn't do much better than highway driving, I changed to the highway as much as I can. Wind resistance is the major problem for a SMALL gas engine that has to fight it with high RPM's. If you reduce wind resistance at speeds of 65-75 MPH you lower the RPM's and the SMALL gas engine can get fantastic MPG.

Just by learning to pay attention to wind resistance, I'm getting back to averaging 36 MPG with the A/C on now. Wind speed and direction are the biggest factors as I found using the Nav. computer mileage readings to compare. I can have a reading of 30 MPG and let a large truck break up wind in front of me and get a reading of 38-48 MPG. A strong tail wind can let you increase your MPH with less wind resistance reducing that SMALL gas engine's fight with RPM. Even letting a large truck block a strong cross wind helps.

With my new findings and change in driving habits, I'm going to look into wind speed and direction equipment. Aircraft have it, why not cars.

Any Ideas?

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