ptjones

As you can see from Plus 3 Golfer anything more than 100ft back is useless as far as Drafting is concerned. Have been drafting since 74 (The Great GAS Crisis) with no accidents. Drafting is only for those willing to pay attention 100% of the time what is going on around them and ready to react immediately. IMO :) Paul

The best compromise for me is about 50ft. and the amount of improvement is dependent on the direction of the wind. Probably 2-4mpg improvement. Drafting is beneficial 55mph up, especially 80mph LOL. :) Paul

MTE goes down pretty fast at the end, how many gallons have you used? Remember you will not run out of gas going up hill unless it is more than five miles! To me it looks awful close, don't leave home without the gas can. You may have to use actual mileage with GPS to make it. Keep up the good job! Don't worry about running out, will automatically go into EV and just keep going looking for a place to stop in less than one mile hopefully and maybe a gas station. You will probably run out going down hill so expect it and keep looking for a stopping point. Doing this if it happens you will be prepared and it will be a non event. :shift: :) Paul

I figure that there is about one gal. left when you hit 0 MTE so you should be able to get around 40 more miles. My empty fill ups have been 13.9 to 14gal. The car will start up immediately once you put gas in it. BTW you will not run out of gas going up hill and going down hill is very likely. I know this from experience of having it happen when I was going to SAM's to fill up. Here was a steep down hill about 1/4 mile from SAM's and usually I would EV it, but decided ICE it instead to keep HVB charged as much as possible knowing I was real close to empty. And sure enough going down hill the ICE quit and went to EV which gave me two options. One I could just EV it to SAM's or I could stop on the up hill portion and restart the ICE and ICE it to the station. I went with EVing it being simpler solution. :shift: :) Paul

2.4miles work to home HVB about 80% 265.6MPG, This is what can happen if everything is working just right. :) Paul

No, but I like the Moon solution and may try it on for size. Price isn't to bad. Thanks kostby :) Paul

Don't chicken out, LOL on your last day just put 2gal gas can in the car so you don't have to worry about it. Remember to use the funnel in the trunk to put gas in the tank if you need too. Running out of gas is no big deal, you just continue on in EV Mode. Good Luck. :shift: Paul

I like the more expensive one's, but still would rather find some solid one's to improve mpg's instead of using wheel covers. IMO :) Paul

Good Job, but I would recommend small gas can for the last 60miles to be safe. I think you will make it. IMHO :shift: Paul

P&G and Drafting isn't for everyone, but it's worth about 4mpg. Keeps me from being board on long trips. :shift: Paul

If you go to my Fuelly Icon and click it you will see I do 81% HWY traveling all over the country in all kinds of bad weather making for low MPG's which takes a lot of High MPG's to over come it.. My Smart Gauge LifeTime average is 46.7MPG with 74K miles. :) Paul

It would make sense to use the biggest 12V battery you can fit in there, you can't have to many Amp Hours. Now that you have brought that up I'm wondering if that couldn't be a solution for battery problem. Just thinking. :) Paul

I had to take my wheel covers off on the last day of my San Diego trip because of high temps and speeds (65-75mph) the foam rubber seals at the edge of wheel cover kept coming off. When I got home it gave me a chance to clean my wheels and covers off and install new foam rubber seals. I didn't put them back on until I got my oil changed at FORD Friday. I noticed my MPG's haven't been as good as before I left on my trip, but with Wheel Covers on I've gained back at least 1MPG, probably 2. :) Paul

I think this makes scents, because I've been hot or cold and It still comes on at 35mph. I can go along way if I keep it below 35mph in EV, but now you got me thinking that may not be a good idea. ;) Paul

I have mentioned this before, but to get the best MPG's on the HWY you need to get the ICE up to operating temp. of +202*F. With the ScanGauge you can watch WT and compare it to your average MPG's going down and up. If you don't go fast enough the ICE never gets that HOT! This is one of the reasons Grill Covers work by getting the ICE up to operating temp and doing it quicker. Even with Grill Covers on it takes me about 15miles to get to operating temp. and can watch my average MPG go down until I reach it. Then it starts going back up and quiet often I will end up with same MPG's I started with for the trip. (low 50's). :shift: Paul

So is it her's or does she drive the BIG Truck. LOL :) Paul

Where is your 500mi. 47mpg, 65mph trip? No Drafting.LOL :) Paul

I got home early this evening with the HVB at 80% and 1 1/2hr later I left to go into town on the FWY. WT was at 145*F and sure enough when I hit 35mph in EV the ICE came on WOW. Went about 3/4mi and then returned to EV. Then entered the FWY and was able to get to 55mph in EV and 53mpg for the 7mi. trip. Very interesting. :) Paul

I don't really think the house sucking power out of the CMAX, but I wonder if with computer wireless communications or maybe MCELL or etc are affecting communications in the car causing things to turn on and drain the 12v batt. Probably a long shot for sure. :) Paul

You only have had one battery problem? I wonder if the Jumper Battery was to small. :) Paul

I guess FREE trumps every thing else. :happy feet: Paul

I think that is an excellent idea and It is becoming real obvious that the battery problem is caused by houses sucking the power out of 12v batteries since that is the only time they fail. :drop: Paul

I want to clear up any possible confusion, ECO Cruise is the easy way to get good MPG's at HWY speeds, but Hypermiling(Drafting, P&G and etc.) gets higher MPG's. Aeromods are worth another 3-4mpg's. :) Paul

As long as you keep it above 60mpg you should make it, may have to run out of gas. LOL If you want to make yourself feel better test your odometer with GPS and you will find out it's off by around 1.015% or 12mi. at 800mi. and maybe enough to get the job done anyway. Good Job. :) Paul

That is really a neat looking unit. :) Paul