<$BlogRSDURL$>
Transplant Athlete
Monday, July 14, 2008
  Hypermiling In A Red Cavalier

I've been hearing a lot lately about hypermiling, so much so that about 400 miles ago, I decided to give it a try with my Cavalier. Now, when the Cav was broken in, but not broken, I could get mileage as high as 40 mpg on the highway. My memory says the EPA estimate was 32/34. MotorTrend says the EPA estimate was 25/37. Lately though, the mileage has been closer to 30mpg. The wheel bearings are shot (it's easier to push the ESCAPE than it is to push the CAV) along with the other issues a 13 year old car would have.

So far, the hypermiling has been working out ok. This is my first tank driving that way; so I don't have results yet, but as I get used to how the car handles, I can do more and more. Basically, I've learned that it's nearly downhill from the school to my house, so I can shut the engine off and coast into my driveway. The engine's off for about 30 seconds and I've coasted nearly a half mile. I've been able to figure out areas close to the house where I can coast like that to stop signs/lights with the engine off. For more techniques or for information on hypermiling in general, check out Cleanmpg.com.

This morning as I was leaving for an abdominal Ultrasound (as part of my testing to get back on the Transplant List), I coasted down a hill and when I went to turn the car back on, it wouldn't start. Danielle came to my rescue, but the car wouldn't start with jumper cables. So, I called AAA and they sent someone to jump the car. After cleaning the terminals, the car started right up and it's charging now. I missed the ultrasound, but I really didn't want to go anyway (I just want to sleep - but not in a lazy teenager way, in a my kidney is failing way)

I know, you're thinking, I'm a suave sophisticated blogger raking in 6 figures for typing everyday I should just go out and buy a new car, but that's not the case. In the four years I've been blogging, I've never received a check and my total take from the ads that you see along the side of this blog since the beginning would buy me about a third of a tank of gas. Pitiful isn't it, but then again I don't do it for the money. I'm not sure why I do this, but I know it ain't for the money.

  Link

Email This Article
Comments:
Yes, I did pay myself to say suave and sophisticated.

-Lou
 
The results are in and just by coasting to stop signs (with the engine off) and turning the CAV off while waiting for lights, I managed an extra 23 miles on this tank.
So, for severe stop and go traffic (very little highway driving), the CAV got 31 mpg on this tank. I know, you're thinking that's not great, but this was my first attempt and I started pretty tentatively. I should be able to do better on the next tank. This was the equivalent of saving a half gallon of gas (or $2.05 at today's fill-up price).


-Lou
 
Question:
So you saved $2.05 and some amount of CO2 release. Has any research been done to consider if all this turning on and off of the engine shortens the lifespan of the starter, etc so as to make it actually a net loss both financially and ecologically? Gotta manufacture new starters and plugs etc more frequently one would suppose.
I'm not arguing that what you are doing is more costly and less eco-friendly, just curious about all the ramifications.
 
Good Question Anonymous
I do worry about the wear and tear on the starter a bit; especially when the car didn't start and I had to call AAA, I was praying it wasn't the starter. The car has 201,000 miles on it, so things'll break and need to be repaired. But in general, I treat the car really well, so I've had to do less maintenance than others would have had to do by now (my sister, for instance went through more brake pads in 60,000 miles than I'll go through in 200,000)

The starter is the second one in the vehicle, the first died sometime in the late 1990's (well before it should have, but after the warranty expired), starters are essentially electric motors, at least theoretically, they should be able to take the abuse. I'm not really asking them to do anything other than what they were designed for, I'm just asking them to do it more often.

I realize saving $2 worth of gas isn't that impressive, I'm hoping as I practice and improve my technique, to get to the point where I'm saving $20 or more per tank (or an extra 150 miles).

-Lou
 
The battery is pretty weak (and has been since the Alternator failed), so it does occasionally have trouble starting after I've turned the car off. SO, I usually try to make sure the car is warmed up before I start hypermiling. Also, I just started plugging the car into the trickle charger when I get home to make sure the battery is always topped off.
 
Post a Comment
I've gone through kidney failure twice. The first time in 2000, my mother donated a kidney; and again in 2008, I'm on dialysis waiting for a breakthrough in immuno-suppression medicines before seeking a new kidney.

ARCHIVES
January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 April 2010 May 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 December 2010 January 2011 February 2011 March 2011 April 2011 May 2011 June 2011 July 2011




Google


Warning Signs for Kidney Disease:

  • High Blood Pressure
  • Burning or Difficulty when Urinating
  • Frequent Urination at Night
  • Blood in your urine
  • Cola or tea colored urine
  • Swellig of the eyes, ankles, or feet
  • Lower back pain unrelated to physical activity


Send Me Email:


Blogs I Read:
PACTour
Ultra Rob
Get Rich Slowly
Ecomodder