Houston <---> Orlando trip results - After PCM update by keybman

[keybman]

I Love this car still !!! Drove my first highway trip and have some results to share.

 

On the trip from Houston to Orlando (I-10, I-75, then Turnpike), I utilized the ACC the entire way, averaging between 70-75 MPH depending on traffic flow. I drove through a tropical disturbance that was hovering and developing over north Florida, fueled by Gulf tropical storm moisture...blinding rain for 2-3 hours, at least a dozen cars (Corvette, Camaro included) had slid off the road into surrounding woods and ditches, pretty harrowing driving conditions. (And yes, I slowed down for the rough parts where visibility was cut down to nearly zero) The FFH averaged 40.7 MPG for the entire trip, utilizing about 23% EV miles. Handled wonderfully in the rainy conditions - never felt unsteady or even any hydroplaning. The driver's seat was amazingly comfortable for the entire drive - no aching back despite my limited rest stops.

 

For the return trip a week later, I set the ACC at 67 MPH. The posted speed limit was generally 70 MPH throughout the trip, so I figured I would test the speed difference in MPG performance, plus I would have the additional benefit of not having to worry about speeding tickets. It was definitely the right answer. I completed the trip with a 47.5 MPG average, utilizing 30% EV miles. I marveled at seeing the SOC full much of the time, especially coming off the interstate at an exit. She seemed to purr in EV mode forever during the fuel or rest stops. I noticed numerous times where the discharge/charging arrow was neither up nor down - had never seen that before with my city driving experience. The Adaptive Cruise Control definitely got its chance to finally prove itself to me. It made for such a worry-free drive, spaced my distance perfectly, and I never had to worry about looking out for highway patrol. (And they were definitely out in force both coming and going) And another note - I used the air conditioning full-time on both trips.

 

Overall, after putting more than 2000 miles of highway driving on this trip, my lifetime average only dropped from 48.3 MPG to 47.4 MPG. Had I kept the speed down on the way to Florida, I would have fared even better. Before the PCM update, I was counting on maybe 35-42 MPG for the trip, and that my lifetime MPG would drop precipitilously into the lower 40s. Didn't happen.

 

One other interesting thing I have noted. Since i have been back, I've seen several commutes closer to 60 MPG now. I've been averaging 52+ MPG overall so far on this tank with only city driving. Don't know if its the PCM update "break-in period", whether Vicki's just glad to be driving in the city again, or maybe she just needed a Florida vacation break...but I am very happy with this car after 8 months. :yahoo:

 

 

[corncobs]

Thanks for sharing such a great expierience and great MPG returns.

I haven't been driving down there but I assume its pretty flat correct?

[keybman]

Louisiana is mostly flat, but Mississippi, Alabama and Florida interstate driving is rolling up and down hills constantly. And I got to see how the ACC handled power control on those hills - utilizing the EV on the climb, and using the ICE on the descents. Definitely added a visual education for me, in addition to what I have read as many have described in this forum as ideal hybrid driving on hills

[fusionTX]

That is extremely good mileage for a trip of that length. I drove straight thru from Houston to S/W florida a week after getting my car, and I only got about 33 MPG. I did set my ACC to 75 pretty much the whole way, and of course since i did not stop anywhere overnight, had very few EV miles.

 

I look forward to seeing what my numbers will be in November when I repeat the trip with the PCM update and a broken in car. I would not have the patience to go 67 MPH for a trip of that length, so I'm sure my numbers will not come close to yours. if I could get 38 MPGs, I would be very happy.

[corncobs]

I agree it might be a fine line between helping or hurting for these rolling hills. Atlanta < > Chicago there are some that are very nice while others are just bad because it takes more gas to get up than what you can recapture going down.

 

At the end of the day it's all about the joy of the ride and in a FFH it's a great pleasure and the FE is just additional bonus.

[djminfll]

Thanks for the update keybman, that's useful information for sure! I find pretty much the same thing - Over 67mph does start to drag the mpg down. Of course, as fusionTX said, sometimes I just can't keep my speed down, I'm either in a rush, running late, or just don't have the patience. But I know the toll it will take on FE. Overall, I find very similar mpg numbers at the same speeds as you. Thanks for posting!

[hybridbear]

Glad you made it safely through the rain too. Thanks for the report. Sounds pretty close to what we see on long trips.