Quote:
Originally Posted by rtb3rd
Thanks for the tips.
Another question: Has anyone determined an optimal speed at which to set the cruise for the highway?
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Since there isn't a power band due to the CVT there really isn't a sweet spot where the available engine power is greater than the wind resistance (w/o getting into physics here) so the slower you go the better for fuel economy. That's why the people getting 80mpg in the Prius Hybrids are doing 55mph on the highways. For me, I prefer to get to wherever I'm going at normal pace so I'll be happy with setting my cruise a couple mph above 75mph and losing a mpg or two as my time is valuable and I can put a price on it and it's higher than traveling at 55mph on the highway for 2 more mpg.
So, to summarize, I really don't think a sweet spot exists with these cars and as you increase your speed your fuel consumption will also increase exponentially as wind resistance increases with each mph.