#39 Earth Day Test Drive

 
Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Wayne Gerdes, Kacey Green and Manuel Santos
Recorded: April 22, 2010
Music: Long Drive Home by .Jakob Martin and Long Drive Home - (Inst) by Bjork Ostrom
Runtime: 34 min : 52 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique: Choosing the right vehicle for the job
Main Topics: 2010 HI-II goes for a drive, One Reason for the 2011 Cruze’s  fuel economy, and Ford’s 2010 Super Duty goes head to head with competition.
Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

 Our Technique, Choosing the right vehicle for the job

We explain that there is no one-size-fits-all vehicle and how to match the vehicle to your  your needs, whether Hybrid, Diesel, Conventional and even Trucks.

2010 Insight-II drive for Earth Day

Kacey takes a 2010 Honda Insight EX for an extended test drive and the Earth Day celebration at Brennon Elementary.

One reason for the 2011 Cruze’s high fuel economy, is its wheels?

“2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Its 40 MPG  highway has everything to do with three, yes, three OD gears, a reasonably efficient 1.4L Turbo and some reasonably light Alcoa alloy wheels.

Alcoa Automotive Wheels has been awarded the wheel program for the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco. The lightweight wheels help the vehicle to achieve outstanding fuel efficiency. Chevrolet recently announced a segment-leading estimated 40 MPG  on the highway for the Cruze Eco when equipped with a manual six-speed transmission”….

2011 Ford Super Duty goes head to head with a 10 Ram and 10 Silverado

“With the ability to haul 20,000 + pounds, best in class or nearly best in class payload depending on configuration, the highest safety attributes of any truck in the field including the new 2011 Silverado/Sierra HD, easiest tower by far and an engine/transmissions combination to die for, what more is needed?

How about a fuel economy run off as any CleanMPG’er would love to have seen in person?” …

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

Wayne Gerdes
Go Hypermiling! 
“Hypermiling in today’s world”

#39 Earth Day Test Drive - Go Hypermiling!

#34 Stop that Prius!

Go Hypermiling Podcast

Type: Audio
Hosts: Kacey Green, Manuel Santos and Wayne Gerdes
Recorded: March 14, 2010
Music: Lee Coulter - Yoga Master
Runtime: 52 min : 51 sec
Moderating: Kacey Green
Technique: How to Survive a Runaway Prius
Main Topics:Out of Control Prius stopped by Patrol Car | Nissan says it has 56,000 Leaf preorders in U.S. alone | Journalists Squeeze 2011 Ford Super Duty For Impressive Fuel Economy

Sponsors: CleanMPG, Hybrid Canada, & Midlands Hybrid | Enginer PHEV kits, Midlands Honda, & CleanMPG Scangauges

 Our Technique segment this week is “how to survive a run-away Prius” 

1. Use the master switch to turn off the cruise control

2. Switch the hazard markers ON

3. Place the vehicle in N (neutral)

4. Make sure your right foot is on the brake pedal and not on the accelerator, and apply firm and steady pressure while safely steering in the intended direction.

5. If required, depress the power button for 2-3 seconds to completely power-down the vehicle

6. Bonus tip: How to stop any other “run-away” Toyota.

  Out-of-Control Prius Stopped by Patrol Car

On the very day Toyota was making a high-profile defense of its cars, one of them was speeding out of control.

It was a pretty frightening Monday afternoon for a driver in San Diego. The California Highway Patrol said the driver of a Toyota Prius, James Sikes, called 911 around 1:30 p.m. to say the car’s accelerator was stuck and he couldn’t slow it down.

The caller was driving eastbound on Interstate 8 near San Diego as this was happening, reports CBS News correspondent Ben Tracy. At one point the car was traveling at 90 mph.

The Highway Patrol responded. To get the runaway car to stop, they actually had to put their patrol car in front of the Prius and step on the brakes. The car eventually stopped near La Posta Bridge, but the whole even lasted for about 20 minutes… 

Nissan says it has 56,000 Leaf preorders in U.S. alone

While speaking at the Geneva Auto Show, a confident Carlos Ghosn, Nissan-Renault alliance head, spoke of the coming year and his planned dominance of the EV market. Ghosn pointed to competitors speaking of concept cars, while he has a tangible product that he believes will have no competition in the market.

As it stands now, Nissan is essentially a non-player in the hybrid and eco-conscious markets, having only one borrowed hybrid drivetrain from the Toyota Camry hybrid for its Altima sedan. But Carlos Ghosn has a tangible plan and product planned to help change the face of Nissan across the global markets – especially in the U.S. where having eco-alternatives is essentially a requirement for success.

“What I am sure is that in 2011, I am going to be the only one on the market,” Ghosn said, regarding a pure EV with mass production capability…

Journalists Squeeze 2011 Ford Super Duty For Impressive Fuel Economy

2011 Ford Super Duty – Over 35,000 pounds being moved up and down dirt roads of a working quarry. For heavy duty needs, there is none better… Or more fuel efficient!

Fuel efficiency and heavy duty trucks haven’t traditionally been talked about in the same sentence. That’s changed now, thanks to the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty.

Ford recently invited journalists to test-drive the new Super Duty in Arizona. During the program, Ford challenged these reporters to a contest to see who could achieve the best fuel economy while driving the Ford-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke® V8 on an 80-mile stretch of surface roads and highways. The winning media team on the first round achieved 29.2 MPG  and the second an astonishing 34 mpg! …  

Please feel free to post a comment or to leave an audio comment using the button on the sidebar of this site.

Wayne Gerdes
Go Hypermiling! 
“Hypermiling in today’s world”

#34 Stop that Prius! - Go Hypermiling!