| Tip... |
Why... |
| Accelerate
using full throttle. For 5 speed Insights, shift
as early as possible while still maintaining your desired
rate of acceleration - around 2500-3000 rpm is optimal. For
CVT Insights, use "D" steering wheel button for
best efficiency, "S" for fastest acceleration. In
all Insights, if battery charge is getting low, follow same
procedure but lighten off on the gas pedal a little. |
This
reduces pumping and frictional losses, while maximizing use
of electric assist. It is also more fun to "take off"
quickly. (Note that this technique does not work in stop-and-go
traffic or when you know that you will have to come to a stop
soon.) |
| In
town the biggest impact on fuel efficiency is slowing
down and speeding up. Avoid speeding up when you know you'll
very soon need to slow down again, such as for a red light.
It also helps to give a little distance between you and the
car ahead, and to choose a route where you can cruise along
at the same speed for a while. |
While
regenerative braking helps to reuse some of the energy that
would otherwise be lost by slowing down and speeding up again,
it is always more efficient to conserve momentum. Leaving
some space is also a good defensive driving technique, and
choosing a smoother route makes your day less stressful. |
| On
the highway the biggest impact on fuel efficiency
is the speed you drive at. Reducing your speed for a 20 minute
drive from 75 mph to 65 mph will only add 3 minutes to the
trip (0.2% of your day)! In traffic it is best to settle in
with the speed of other cars, rather than trying to pass all
the other drivers. |
In
all cars, wind drag and other frictions rise dramatically
at higher speeds. Driving at the same speed as other drivers
also improves safety. |
| Pay
attention to the FCD (Fuel Consumption Display),
especially at cruising speed. On the highway you may notice
that as you let off from the gas pedal, there will be a point
where the FCD bar graph jumps noticeably. This is when the
Insight enters lean burn mode, which leads to a dramatic increase
in fuel efficiency. |
The
FCD is a great tool for discovering what leads to the best
fuel efficiency, giving a new level of interaction with the
car. |
| Leave
climate control in econ mode. |
This
enables idle stop. |
| Leave
A/C off in moderate or cool weather. When
A/C is on, set climate control as warm as will be comfortable
- this is usually with dial near the center. |
This
reduces extra energy used by A/C. The Insight's excellent
ventilation system means that in moderately warm weather straight
ventilation is very effective at keeping you comfortable. |
| Begin
braking sooner using light brake pressure. |
This
maximizes battery charging. The most regeneration is achieved
with very slight pedal pressure, so that charge gauge shows
maximum charging, but mechanical brakes aren't coming in to
play. This also increases the chances that you won't have
to come to a full stop before traffic begins moving again,
saving more energy. Furthermore, it increases safety by avoiding
more abrupt braking situations that can lead to rear-end collisions
when there is an inattentive driver. |
For all Insights...