Hybrids are most efficient up to about 50–55 mph (80–89 km/h), after which they start losing energy efficiency. Keep your highway speeds at that level for the best results, as long as it’s within the speed limit. [3] X Research source This may not be possible with city or neighborhood driving, when you’ll have to stop at red light and stop signs. Do your best to drive smoothly. Avoid accelerating too suddenly to avoid jerky movements. Don’t press the gas pedal harder to get up hills. Maintain the pressure and let your speed drop so the engine doesn’t have to burn more energy. Cars have fuel efficiency and align with community standards for speed limits. If you drive at the posted speed limit, that is the safe and appropriate speed for the particular driving conditions, it will save you gas and help you maintain your car better. But speeding can burn more gas and require you to stop and start more frequently, which puts extra wear on your brakes.
Focus ahead of you and anticipate stops. For instance, if you see people putting on their brake lights up ahead, then start slowing down to come to a controlled stop. Don’t follow traffic too closely. This makes sudden stopping inevitable. Leave enough room for a slow stop. This only applies in a non-emergency situation. If you’re trying to avoid an accident, then brake as hard as you have to.
In the US, the federal government keeps track of which states let hybrids drive in the HOV lane. For the list, visit https://afdc. energy. gov/laws/HOV. Remember, only do this if your state allows you to. If you drive in the HOV lane when you’re not supposed to, you could get a fine.
If you have roof racks on your car, take anything off that you don’t need. Any items up there will increase wind resistance and drop your energy efficiency.
Confirm the refueling process in your owner’s manual to make sure there are no special steps. Use regular, 87-octane gasoline just like with other cars, unless your car’s manufacturer recommends that you use a higher octane. A good general rule is refueling when your gas tank hits 1/4 tank. This prevents gunk from getting into the engine. Hybrid fuel efficiency varies, depending on the model. Most can get above 50 mpg, so with a 12–15 gallons (45–57 L) tank, you’d only have to refuel every 600–750 miles (970–1,210 km). That’s about 3-4 times better than a typical gas-powered car.
Some hybrids might work best if you leave them plugged in at all times, and some might recommend only plugging the car in when its battery is dead. Use whichever practice the owner’s manual recommends. Most plug-in hybrids can travel on all-electric power for 10–50 m (0. 010–0. 050 km), after which they’ll start using gas and operating as a normal hybrid.
Recharging will be easiest if you have an outdoor outlet or one in your garage. Otherwise, run the charger inside with an extension cord. Charging from a 120V outlet usually takes 3-5 hours, depending on the car model. Some chargers have a light that indicates when the battery is charged. The charge port is usually near the front of the car, but the location varies from model to model.
Home charging stations could cost from $500-1,000, plus the electricity cost of charging the car. Your state may grant a tax rebate if you install one in your home. Make sure that you comply with any local laws before installing a charging station. For example, you may need approval from your local government to install one.
Public charging stations are 240V so your car can fully recharge in about 90 minutes. The US government keeps a database of electric charging stations throughout the country. For a full list of their locations, visit https://afdc. energy. gov/fuels/electricity_locations. html#/find/nearest?fuel=ELEC. Some companies have also set up private charging stations. For a fee, you can book a port in advance so you know it’ll be available when you arrive. This can avoid long waits for others to finish charging. Do an internet search for private stations in your area. Your car can still run on gasoline if your battery is completely empty on a long trip, so don’t worry about getting stuck. You’ll just have the fuel efficiency of a normal gasoline car.
Remember to keep your eyes on the road while you’re driving. Only glace over at the display for quick looks.
Remember that some operational features might not work as well with economy mode on. Your acceleration may be slower and your AC may not run as strongly, for example.
Remember to only turn the headlights off if it’s safe and bright. If you enter a tunnel or it’s raining, turn them on. Some newer hybrids adjust the headlights automatically according to the brightness. If your car has this option, use it for the optimal headlight levels.
Normal tire recommendations are 30-32 psi. If your levels are lower than that, add some air. The recommended psi is usually printed on the side of the tire. Check here if you aren’t sure what the ideal level is.
