Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

I live in Southern Indiana but have to work in Louisville, KY. And due to one of the main bridges being closed. I can't hypermile at all in my commute to and from work. It's all stop n go traffic all the way. It now takes an extra 40minutes to an hour each way. My Prizm is a four banger, but I can't shut the car off in traffic. The traffic moves, but never stops long enough for me to shut the car off.:( So if anyone was wondering why i haven't posted anything in my gaslog for awhile, thats why. They are staying repairs to the bridge will take 6 months...so unless i do a trip in the Prizm, Im not going to post a gaslog. Example: my car is below half a tank right now(halfway between half a tank and a 1/4 of a tank) and I've driven 183 miles. Normally at this mark, i would've driven 240-260+ miles.
Thanks for reading

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Do you have any better options for getting there while the bridge is closed? Different routes, public transportation (even if it's only part of the way), a motorcycle?

I post all my fills, good and bad. Tonight I'll get gas and post my worst tank since I got the car running, I've been driving fast and hard for this tank and had underinflated tires.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Yes, good or bad I post all of my fillups as well.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

That makes me glad I live 8 miles from work and it takes my 12 minutes to get to the parking lot. Of course I planned it that way.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

theres one other bridge, but it leds straight downtown Louisville with the some problems and transit time. One public transportation, but i have to go downtown Louisville to get to it...so it doesn't really help. I sold my motorcycle over 4 years ago. But even if I had one, the police on motorcycles are in force to stop motorcyclist from cut in between cars to cut through the traffic.

I dont want to post 6 months worth of horrible gas-logs. If it was just going to be a couple of months, maybe. But half a years worth...no. Maybe some think that it isnt correct, but it's going to throw my gas-log way way way off, because I'll need 6+ months to get the log back to where it was. And this is an unusually situation, beyond my control.

But I am trying other things, I'm going to get an oil change soon and i'll get 0-w-30 and going to increase tire pressure to 40

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

The displayed average is for the past 90 days. 3 months after your bad entries, it will cease to affect your average and you will have record of how the construction affected you.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

i miss my prizm, but i had the 5 speed. i went looking for it the other day as it was sold to someone in town...wasn't there. i'd trade my civic in a minute for it. i got well over 40mpg w/out much effort; the civic gets barely 40 w/ MUCH effort.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Thats why I like this Prizm. It's automatic and getting 35mpg+ is easy.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

This is why you should keep a gaslog, so you can see the difference when you mod the car or change driving habits.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

If you have a tach in your car use it to never get above 1500 rpm. Start very slow get some distance between you and the car in front, once this is done you can glide in neutral until you have to stop, repeat,repeat,..... :eek:

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

With an automatic it might be better getting up to the high gear quickly. Lingering in the lower gears can burn more fuel.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Did you read what the OP posted? Stop and go traffic all the way so ergo, no way to get into high gear.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Even then, slower acceleration might might still be of lower benefit than a micro pulse and coasting. Maybe try a lower gear. I've heard economy increases with a lower gear while in traffic with some models. DFCO might also become more aggressive.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

With an automatic, decisions based on rpms can be odd. I've seen rpms go up and speed stay nearly the same because it's not a direct gear drive; it's a turbine type drive and there's lag. They only go into lockup once you get to cruising state.

Back to the gas log issue -
You could start a new "vehicle" for this six month period. Track your mpg there until the bridge gets reopened. That way, if you get brilliant and find a way to improve the results, it will show up as an improvement over the earlier weeks commuting over messed up roads.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

I go by TPS or load on the scangauge. 70% load is where most engines are at their most efficient for accelerating.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Gas log games... who are you trying to impress? It's supposed to be a factual record fer chrissakes. :rolleyes:

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Just post it in your notes that theres road construction. it's all about doing the best you can under the circumstances. Otherwise people would just not post there winter numbers and just wait till summer so they can just post good numbers.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

Well I went ahead and update my gaslogs. I couldn't find a one of my recipts. but it wasn't a full tank fill, i only put 2 gallons in it to make it home before a vacation. I read the advice from everyone and decided to by accurate with the fills. Sorry about that.

Re: Update on Hypermiling in the Prizm
 

:thumbup: