jlsoaz
Well-known member
Are there any subtleties to appreciate about how to improve efficiency in driving at 70 mph?
- Should I use the cruise control? Does the energy-adviseability of this depend on whether it is hilly?
- Recommended settings for climate control? (When driving at lower speeds, depending on outdoor temps, I like to crack a window for ventilation and not bother with the climate control, though I suppose the reduction in aero could be hurting mpkWh more than the improvement in climate control energy use might help it. However, at 70 mph, this option seems to be moot as the cabin buffeting caused by opening a window is nasty). I think if there's a way to be sure I am turning on just ventilation, and not heating or cooling, then that would be one thing. Then of course we have recommendations to pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin before unplugging, ok. Lastly, if I do decide to operate A/C or heat when driving at highway speeds, maybe I can set the temperature or fan to moderate the energy use?
- Any other tips?
[Regarding speed: I've driven the I-5 and other routes in California, and know that some folks recommend going slower as one possible approach with the Leaf, but on the particular stretch that I drive, in Arizona, the limit is 75 and I am not sure but I don't think trucks in the right lane are as legally limited in top speed as trucks in California. So the net effect is that driving a Leaf at 55 mph in the right lane where I drive would be less safe (in my view) than it might be in California, and so slowing down is less of an option. .... maybe to 65, but that's about it.... basically I try to drive a safe speed for conditions and taking into account the speed of other traffic.]
- Should I use the cruise control? Does the energy-adviseability of this depend on whether it is hilly?
- Recommended settings for climate control? (When driving at lower speeds, depending on outdoor temps, I like to crack a window for ventilation and not bother with the climate control, though I suppose the reduction in aero could be hurting mpkWh more than the improvement in climate control energy use might help it. However, at 70 mph, this option seems to be moot as the cabin buffeting caused by opening a window is nasty). I think if there's a way to be sure I am turning on just ventilation, and not heating or cooling, then that would be one thing. Then of course we have recommendations to pre-cool or pre-heat the cabin before unplugging, ok. Lastly, if I do decide to operate A/C or heat when driving at highway speeds, maybe I can set the temperature or fan to moderate the energy use?
- Any other tips?
[Regarding speed: I've driven the I-5 and other routes in California, and know that some folks recommend going slower as one possible approach with the Leaf, but on the particular stretch that I drive, in Arizona, the limit is 75 and I am not sure but I don't think trucks in the right lane are as legally limited in top speed as trucks in California. So the net effect is that driving a Leaf at 55 mph in the right lane where I drive would be less safe (in my view) than it might be in California, and so slowing down is less of an option. .... maybe to 65, but that's about it.... basically I try to drive a safe speed for conditions and taking into account the speed of other traffic.]