Video showing high climb technique

[jraynor196]

I'm in the process of taking some videos of my normal commute and some of the techniques I use for everyday driving.

Here's the first video showing the hill climbing technique for my normal morning commute on I-91 south near Hartford, CT.

At the bottom of hill I hit around 62 MPH. At the top around 52, then I go back to 55-56 MPH once crested. I maintain around 55 MPH for my commute but as shown I go above and below that speed as well. ECON OFF, around 70s temp wise.

Also, after the hill climb, then is a spot of 100 plus FE without taking foot off of gas and without EV mode. Achieved on fairly level (probably <1% grade in my favor).

Notice the assist gauge (never assisting) and real time fuel economy (a few bars above 50). Sorry about the quality of the video. It's a bit tough keeping the camera steady, focusing on fuel economy, and driving the car at the same time.

YouTube - jraynor196's Channel

YouTube - 2010 Insight Small Hill Climb Video 1

[skilletaudio@gmail.com]

Thanks for posting that. What are you using for your feedback mechanism about how much pedal to use on the climb? Just feeding enough gas to stay just inside of "deceleration" territory, or something more concrete like your gauges?

[alikmac1]

how do you make a post sorry i am a new member

[jraynor196]

Originally Posted by skilletaudio@gmail.com

Thanks for posting that. What are you using for your feedback mechanism about how much pedal to use on the climb? Just feeding enough gas to stay just inside of "deceleration" territory, or something more concrete like your gauges?

I use the assist gauge and the real time MPG gauge since I can see them at the same time. I try to use zero assist (keep the assist gauge pointing at 9 O'clock) and try to keep the real time MPG at 50 or better when climbing. It doesn't always work out, but if I have the speed at the bottom and the pressure on the accelerator right I can usually do it.

The pressure for accelerator depends on the length and grade of the hill being climbed. It takes some practice as different hills require different pressures or else the following can occur:

Too much speed at the top (wasted energy)
Not enough speed to fully climb which leads to extra assist when climbing (not enough energy)

Since I drive the same commute everyday, I gotten somewhat familiar with each hill and the grade. In unknown territory, it would be tougher to do.

I also use my rear view mirror to make sure no one is directly behind me. If no one is behind, I'll let the speed drop to below 55 as shown in the video. If someone is behind, I only let the speed drop to 55 and then give more gas and assist to stay at 55 which hurts fuel economy, but I feel that acceptable slow lane speed is 55.

For longer climbs, one could still use this technique to negate a portion of the climb, but eventually an assist would be needed.

I should be able to post more over the next few days of other scenarios as well.

[Purplegate]

Great video J !

I have also been trying, since a while, to improve MPG in my commute by "listening" relief feedback. I'm still not sure the 0 assist strategy maximize the MPG capability. This is an hybrid, meaning energy to be transfered in movement does not only comes from fuel, but electricity. Using the energy in the battery will reduce need of fuel/increase MPG.

Best technique would be to use a pulse & glide technique just enough to deplete the battery once only during the commute, then recharge it at home or office (thinking about a custom made DC charger like some made for the I1), which would mean no force charge to convert fuel energy in electricity (...from the car point of view... yes I know, one can argue the electricity will come from somewhere anyway....)

You demonstration of 0 assist is awesome, but I would open the door for a discussion about the best use of electricity power in your (our) commute.

[Cobb]

Thanks. You got great throttle control. My feet are numb, so I like the econs delay in throttle response.

I managed 79.4 in the 10 miles challenge by avoiding assist, regen and trying to further optomize it by keeping the instant readout for mpg at 100. I am sure next time i can do better as when I first started when it assisted, it wanted to regen and the regen lowered the mpg from 100.

As for keeping assist available, I think frequently lifting, those short bursts of regen during a trip makes it available later for pulling up, passing, acceleration.

I too want a trickle charger for the hybrid pack to top it off, the 12volt battery and block heater.

[jpleong]

My feet are numb, so I like the econs delay in throttle response

I hope I don't sound stupid here but if I'm trying extra-hard for fuel efficiency, I take my shoe off and drive virtually barefoot. Throttle control is even more precise -even in Econ mode. I don't know if it would work for you but it may be worth a try?

JP

[jraynor196]

Originally Posted by Purplegate

Great video J !

I have also been trying, since a while, to improve MPG in my commute by "listening" relief feedback. I'm still not sure the 0 assist strategy maximize the MPG capability. This is an hybrid, meaning energy to be transfered in movement does not only comes from fuel, but electricity. Using the energy in the battery will reduce need of fuel/increase MPG.

Best technique would be to use a pulse & glide technique just enough to deplete the battery once only during the commute, then recharge it at home or office (thinking about a custom made DC charger like some made for the I1), which would mean no force charge to convert fuel energy in electricity (...from the car point of view... yes I know, one can argue the electricity will come from somewhere anyway....)

You demonstration of 0 assist is awesome, but I would open the door for a discussion about the best use of electricity power in your (our) commute.

Your points and observations are well taken. If somehow I could have max assist with a minimum throttle that would be great. But I don't think that is possible. The only way I can get max assist is by flooring it, which delivers terrible MPG. One thing I have noticed, the more you push the pedal down, the more assist is given, but the worse the MPG (usually) so it is kind of a catch 22/conundrum.

Somehow I would like to control the amount of assist as well.

MovieMike had a good idea of taking a video of the same section of road in the opposite direction, so I'll get around to posting that too.

[Cobb]

Thanks, I use to do that with my stick shift.

I mainly drive with the cruse on when traffic ok, but here lately. I can not make sense of it, the terrible economy, horrible gas prices yet people are in a hurry to go somewhere and risk traffic tickets and wasting fuel not to mention wrecking a vehicle.

Here lately I drive with econ off and foot from half to full throttle as the traiffic is from 35-75mph depending on the exits passed and I drive at noon and 11 pm.

Assist too does not make sense at times. Maybe its like the hybrid battery, only used 50% of the time or something crazy? I would think it would max out then the gas motor would do more, but maybe with a partly charged hybrid battery that assist is short lived? I think assist and regen should be set to peg the scale before the brakes or gas is applied tothe car.

[Purplegate]

Originally Posted by jraynor196

... If somehow I could have max assist with a minimum throttle that would be great. But I don't think that is possible...

Well, in theory there is a way I think.... I2 MIMA Just few details :
a) Would the MIMA developped for the I1 work on the I2 ?
b) If not, I don't know if Mike Dabrowski would agree to develop one for the I2.
c) Does it make sense as the battery pack in the I2 is smaller than the I1. I mean, is there enough power to make a difference in MPG using MIMA ?

Mike if you read this, any thought ? (May be I should post this in the MIMA sticky....)