Teaching an Old Dog New Tricks

[Superior Sight]

Good Evening from The Great Lake Superior,

My first post! (I have lurked for quite awhile...)

We are proud new owners of a 2011 Insight, our baby, Crimson Red Pearl, name...Portia. She has splash guards front and back, door visors, full nose mask, rear bumper applique', wheel locks, and the Insight car cover.

I just want to say we LOVE this car. We are retired folks, and NOT spring chickens,, so we were afraid we wouldn't be able to learn this new way of tooling around the planet. But we took the plunge anyway, we got sick and tired of giving our retirement dollars to the oil companies.

I must admit I had a heavy foot, and quick starts and rapid acceleration techniques defined my driving. BOY have I CHANGED!

Now getting the best mpg has become a challenge and a game for me. My driving habits have completely changed. Coming home today from a trip to town, 15 miles away, I HAD to get to 50.0 mpg pulling into the lane to my house! And , of course, I did. On our trip to Duluth last week I managed 61.0 mpg. (I know I can do better, but there are some steep inclines to deal with.)
We are averaging around 48-50 mpg overall, and this is only our 3rd tank of gas. We have yet to take a real "road trip."

The car we traded in was an '05 Element. We were getting 17 mpg this winter, and at best we only got 25-6 on a road trip. Loved our E, but the gas was killing us.

My driving life is all about "leaves" and "trophies" now, lol. Well, learning this car will keep us young.

So, yes, you CAN teach an old dog new (driving) tricks!

Gaining Insight Daily!

Barbie (Superior Sight)

[amorris]

Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your I2 as much as I've enjoyed mine.

[Zwolfe]

Awesome post.

I love to see enthusiasm.

Here's my "game" with the Insight ... my wife drives it mostly, so whenever I do get behind the wheel, it's my mission to improve the MPG of the tank we're on.

lol

[davidm]

I love that challenge of trying to get the MPGs up. I think we would use a lot less oil in this country if everyone learned not to have a lead foot; even with regular old non-hybrid gasoline engines.

[Jayemtee]

When the leaf game is over, reset it so that you will still be mentally challenged.

After I finished the first game, I started watching various screens on the MID. During the first leaf game, I mainly watched the leaf page and watched how hard I was on the gas and brake. Then I drove a few tanks of gas mainly learning how to keep the battery charged and make sure I end the day on a full charge. Now I mainly watch the MPG page. Watching the instant MPG teaches me how hard or soft to be on the gas pedal in cruise.

[FistofStone]

I agree. I think many people think I'm crazy when I explain why I enjoy driving my car. Even after the leaf game...I still find driving the car is like playing a video game. There is always room for improvement - especially when you get to know the 'sweet spots' of your daily commute.

Now that summer is here, I'm looking forward to a few 60+ rides!