Questions for Hypermilers

[carltj]

Hello,

Still in the first 400 miles of my Milan Hybrid driving and getting significantly better mpg than I had expected, with gauge-attentive driving habits.

 

Reading this forum and the manual, a couple questions have arisen. First, proceeding down a quarter mile hill which would get me to 45-48mph coasting in Drive with a flat run out at the bottom, am I better off in Neutral, Low, or in Drive with light touches of the brake for best economy? Keep in mind my speed at the bottom cannot be over 40 for safety reasons as well as the radar equipped cruiser at the bottom.

 

Does it make any difference, if the ICE is warmed up at the time (white vs green symbol)?

 

Is the difference between putting in Neutral vs Low/Drive that in the former you're coasting is less impeded (higher speed), but you get no recharging?

 

If you can achieve high speed at the bottom of a hill in Neutral, where high speed is not a safety issue, is Neutral the way to go?

 

Is engine braking recharging more efficient in Low or Drive?

 

No doubt, the questions themselves indicate some confusion on my part in conceptualizing the issues. Anyway, please have at it.

Thanks for any enlightenment,

Carl

[lolder]

When in doubt, leave it in Drive. Ford has figured most of this stuff out.

Edited May 8, 2010 by lolder

[jerrieric]

I have 4000 miles on my FFH and averaging 41-44+. I must say I do pay attention to the EV meter and use EV every chance I get. Sometimes I go really slow if no one is behind me just to stay in EV mode. I'm almost 62 so the days of having to get someplace fast are gone. I really have modified my driving habits since getting the FFH.

[TonyPSchaefer]

am I better off in Neutral, Low, or in Drive with light touches of the brake for best economy?

Hi Carl.

You are better off in Drive. As lolder said, it's all already been figured out for you.

If you have the Energy Screen on your MFD, flip it on and see what arrows go where when you are in Neutral. I'm guessing that when the car is in Neutral there is no regeneration performed. If this truly is the case, long downhill stretches in Neutral is just passing up an opportunity to garnish some free power. It's not truly free, of course, since you had to burn gas to get up the other side.

 

Let us know what you find.

[lolder]

There is no regen braking in Neutral either. Neutral should be used when the car is towed or pulled through a car wash with a wheel roller bar. If the car is turned off during a wash, it won't start in Neutral and must be put in Park to start. This can create confusion at the end of the wash. Also, the roller bar may cause the Traction/Stability light to come on. Cycle the car off/on to put it out.