Comments on: Comparing Hybrid Oranges to Hybrid Apples http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/ Learning to live green and live together Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:27:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maggie http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-2276 Maggie Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:30:18 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-2276 I'm glad you are happier with your car now! I think 40+ mpg sounds pretty awesome. I'm always interested in seeing tips on how to drive more effectively but I'm sure you're right that you have to work things out for yourself. Sounds like you've got it figured out. I’m glad you are happier with your car now! I think 40+ mpg sounds pretty awesome. I’m always interested in seeing tips on how to drive more effectively but I’m sure you’re right that you have to work things out for yourself. Sounds like you’ve got it figured out.

]]> By: Lisa http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-2254 Lisa Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:38:31 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-2254 Hey all--wow, I just realized you've been talking about me! I've been out of the loop. An update--it has been several months since I went back to my old driving habits in my hybrid. I have mostly curbed my need to drive faster than the speed limit, I use my cruise more, and I coast more...all of this has proven effective and I have been averaging 40-46mpg for a combo of city and highway miles!!! It could also have been the break-in period for the engine--since it was a new car. I really think it depends on your driving style--the tips are helpful but working out my own combo was better than trying to do everything they suggest. I do enough highway driving that it makes up for the lower in-city mpg so it works for me. The higher emissions standards and the investment in alternative energy technology (instead of buying yet another gas guzzler) is worth it no matter what make or brand you buy. Hey all–wow, I just realized you’ve been talking about me! I’ve been out of the loop. An update–it has been several months since I went back to my old driving habits in my hybrid. I have mostly curbed my need to drive faster than the speed limit, I use my cruise more, and I coast more…all of this has proven effective and I have been averaging 40-46mpg for a combo of city and highway miles!!! It could also have been the break-in period for the engine–since it was a new car. I really think it depends on your driving style–the tips are helpful but working out my own combo was better than trying to do everything they suggest. I do enough highway driving that it makes up for the lower in-city mpg so it works for me. The higher emissions standards and the investment in alternative energy technology (instead of buying yet another gas guzzler) is worth it no matter what make or brand you buy.

]]> By: Learning through feedback | GreenCouple.com http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-1061 Learning through feedback | GreenCouple.com Sat, 14 Jun 2008 03:33:56 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-1061 [...] up that give you minute-by-minute updates on how you’re doing. Yeah, it can be distracting to see an instant mpg, but at least you’ll know when you’re doing well. That’s also why like the [...] [...] up that give you minute-by-minute updates on how you’re doing. Yeah, it can be distracting to see an instant mpg, but at least you’ll know when you’re doing well. That’s also why like the [...]

]]> By: Maggie http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-642 Maggie Wed, 28 May 2008 21:38:03 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-642 Lisa was trying to improve her driving efficiency for about three months before she discovered that driving "normally" actually gave her better results. So I don't think it could be chalked up to insufficient effort but it's totally possible she didn't have the techniques down. I'd love to hear some instructions from you, perhaps as a guest post? Do you think you could tutor folks on hypermiling via a blog post or does it really take some "hands on" effort? The one thing I like about both hybrids I've tried is that they have a little gauge to give you obvious feedback on your mpg. It's a little harder when you just have to wait until you fill up next time to determine how many gallons of gas you used. Lisa was trying to improve her driving efficiency for about three months before she discovered that driving “normally” actually gave her better results. So I don’t think it could be chalked up to insufficient effort but it’s totally possible she didn’t have the techniques down.

I’d love to hear some instructions from you, perhaps as a guest post? Do you think you could tutor folks on hypermiling via a blog post or does it really take some “hands on” effort? The one thing I like about both hybrids I’ve tried is that they have a little gauge to give you obvious feedback on your mpg. It’s a little harder when you just have to wait until you fill up next time to determine how many gallons of gas you used.

]]> By: Andy http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-608 Andy Mon, 26 May 2008 13:53:49 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-608 I didn't know the details about the Civic Hybrid, but I had heard that many hybrids are more on the assisting side. A Prius driven correctly can stay in all electric mode under 41mph for a while, which I'm not sure if (m)any other hybrids can do. As for the hypermiling techniques, they take more time and patience than one jaunt around town. I've been dong it actively for a year now, and I'm still learning new tricks every month. I was driving a Chevy Venture for work (college-owned) which is rated for 18mpg and the last tank I got was 28mpg. But the last half mile is city driving up a steep hill, and getting into town I can have as high as 40mpg. This is a van, by the way. Hypermiling doesn't have to be intense, scary, or dangerous in any way, although the media likes to make it out to be like that. Simply learning how to best accelerate a car, finding out where to stop using gas and coast to the next stop, and keeping speed down on the highways will yield around 25%-better-than-EPA mileage. On both vehicles I had driven, I was able to average 150% EPA. I would encourage everyone to try a little harder to get good mileage. It doesn't always mean going slow either. (I've gotten 28mpg in the van going 5mph over the limits). -Andy I didn’t know the details about the Civic Hybrid, but I had heard that many hybrids are more on the assisting side. A Prius driven correctly can stay in all electric mode under 41mph for a while, which I’m not sure if (m)any other hybrids can do.

As for the hypermiling techniques, they take more time and patience than one jaunt around town. I’ve been dong it actively for a year now, and I’m still learning new tricks every month. I was driving a Chevy Venture for work (college-owned) which is rated for 18mpg and the last tank I got was 28mpg. But the last half mile is city driving up a steep hill, and getting into town I can have as high as 40mpg. This is a van, by the way. Hypermiling doesn’t have to be intense, scary, or dangerous in any way, although the media likes to make it out to be like that. Simply learning how to best accelerate a car, finding out where to stop using gas and coast to the next stop, and keeping speed down on the highways will yield around 25%-better-than-EPA mileage. On both vehicles I had driven, I was able to average 150% EPA. I would encourage everyone to try a little harder to get good mileage. It doesn’t always mean going slow either. (I’ve gotten 28mpg in the van going 5mph over the limits).
-Andy

]]> By: csim33 http://greencouple.com/2008/05/23/comparing-hybrid-oranges-to-hybrid-apples/comment-page-1/#comment-599 csim33 Mon, 26 May 2008 03:19:17 +0000 http://greencouple.com/?p=210#comment-599 You should pass on this web site to your hybrid-driving friend: www.greenhybrid.com There's info on each kind of hybrid and tips for driving and message boards about the different kinds and what-not. I discovered it when I was researching buying our Toyota Camry Hybrid and it was very helpful. And I've been really happy with my Toyota, but yeah, the Toyota hybrid system is the superior hybrid system - your dad is correct! My Camry is currently getting a tank-average of 42 mpg and it's a pretty good sized car. You should pass on this web site to your hybrid-driving friend: http://www.greenhybrid.com

There’s info on each kind of hybrid and tips for driving and message boards about the different kinds and what-not. I discovered it when I was researching buying our Toyota Camry Hybrid and it was very helpful. And I’ve been really happy with my Toyota, but yeah, the Toyota hybrid system is the superior hybrid system – your dad is correct! My Camry is currently getting a tank-average of 42 mpg and it’s a pretty good sized car.

]]>