Motorway Driving

[tommychris86]

I am still getting used to my MG4 Trophy long range. I do a 400 mile round trip one a month which includes about half of that on the motorway. I usually drive at around 70 when on the motorway and have been using ECO mode. Is this the best mode to use to preserve miles on the motorway? Any tips on what I can do to make the miles last longer on such a long journey would be great.

Thanks

 

[siteguru]

A light right foot (slow acceleration) and lower maximum speed (even 65 rather than 70, 60 is even better*) will do far more than selecting ECO drive mode. Also regen level 1 when on the motorway will give more of a coasting effect - yes you'll limit regen, but the amount regen slows you down (unless you're good at counteracting it by feathering the throttle) and the power it generates is far outweighed by the power needed to get you back up to speed.

* wind resistance is proportional to the square of speed, so doubling of speed quadruples the wind resistance. More wind resistance = more power needed to overcome it.

 

[Paul V Smith]

A light right foot (slow acceleration) and lower maximum speed (even 65 rather than 70, 60 is even better*) will do far more than selecting ECO drive mode. Also regen level 1 when on the motorway will give more of a coasting effect - yes you'll limit regen, but the amount regen slows you down (unless you're good at counteracting it by feathering the throttle) and the power it generates is far outweighed by the power needed to get you back up to speed.

* wind resistance is proportional to the square of speed, so doubling of speed quadruples the wind resistance. More wind resistance = more power needed to overcome it.

I get around 275 miles with my Long Range MG4Trophy, setting my car in Eco mode, but setting the speed at 55mph on the motorway. Traveling around 230mile to my destination, it takes me about an extra 20-25min rather than traveling at 70mph. I find it rather relaxing and feels much safer. If your not in any rush, this really works, I have tested this many times.

 

[Jomarkh]

I am still getting used to my MG4 Trophy long range. I do a 400 mile round trip one a month which includes about half of that on the motorway. I usually drive at around 70 when on the motorway and have been using ECO mode. Is this the best mode to use to preserve miles on the motorway? Any tips on what I can do to make the miles last longer on such a long journey would be great.

Thanks

Slip stream a lorry

 

[Bam Bam]

I am still getting used to my MG4 Trophy long range. I do a 400 mile round trip one a month which includes about half of that on the motorway. I usually drive at around 70 when on the motorway and have been using ECO mode. Is this the best mode to use to preserve miles on the motorway? Any tips on what I can do to make the miles last longer on such a long journey would be great.

Thanks

I tend to set the adaptive cruise at 63 and sit there.

As the guru mentions, eco mode is only really valuable when stopping and starting a lot. If you use eco-mode on a free flowing road you might accidentally slow down and have to speed up again which isn't as good as sticking to a speed.

 

[Anon70]

The only things I have found that buy you range on a motorway are:
A/C off
Outside temperature above 10 deg C
Max speed 60mph

When the outside temperature is above 10 deg C the speed has less impact on range

Have tried other things like regen and mode changes which don't seem to change that much, in the XPower using sport will kill things even more as you have both front and rear motors on all the time.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

I tend to set the adaptive cruise at 63 and sit there.

Fast enough to annoy the truckers who can't catch you.
Slow enough to annoy everyone else who can.

 

[Rolfe]

A light right foot (slow acceleration) and lower maximum speed (even 65 rather than 70, 60 is even better*) will do far more than selecting ECO drive mode. Also regen level 1 when on the motorway will give more of a coasting effect - yes you'll limit regen, but the amount regen slows you down (unless you're good at counteracting it by feathering the throttle) and the power it generates is far outweighed by the power needed to get you back up to speed.

* wind resistance is proportional to the square of speed, so doubling of speed quadruples the wind resistance. More wind resistance = more power needed to overcome it.

I thought you recommended adaptive regeneration on the motorway?

 

[siteguru]

I had ... but I'm changing my mind as Adaptive seems to work more like regen 2 most of the time.

 

[Rolfe]

I'll try to remember to experiment a bit when I drive to Sussex again next month. Does lowering the regeneration mess with the operation of ACC?

 

[siteguru]

No, as ACC will apply the brakes/increase regen if it needs to. ?

 

[Rolfe]

Good to know. I like the improvements to ACC.

 

[bobbarley]

I use eco mode on the motorway with ACC set to 70mph, I’ve yet to see better than 210 out of a full battery. I’ve just been putting it down to the weather.

 

[STG]

Is having ACC set at 55 on motorway more efficient than driving @ 55,mph without ACC set?

 

[NLMGSAN]

No, as ACC will apply the brakes/increase regen if it needs to. ?

It definitely reduces speed more with regen 3 compared to regen 1.

Is having ACC set at 55 on motorway more efficient than driving @ 55,mph without ACC set?

Personal experience: no.

I use eco mode on the motorway with ACC set to 70mph, I’ve yet to see better than 210 out of a full battery. I’ve just been putting it down to the weather.

Today was a very odd one. Left home with a touch of frost, went back with partially sunny weather below 10° C, but after 164 km's and medium highway traffic and 25% regional roads I still managed 4.1miles per kwh. Custom mode with eco for power and steering in sports mode (but eco just means the pedal is less responsive).

 

[mj224]

Driving below 60mph on a motorway is a dangerous, IMHO.

It causes all sorts of chaotic reactions by other drivers suddenly catching up with you, and having to take avoiding action.

Personally, I try and do 65mph, but often speed up to 70mph if there is lots of traffic.

 

[tsedge]

Driving below 60mph on a motorway is a dangerous, IMHO.

It causes all sorts of chaotic reactions by other drivers suddenly catching up with you, and having to take avoiding action.

Personally, I try and do 65mph, but often speed up to 70mph if there is lots of traffic.

I tend to keep above 60, usually 65 and accelerating to 70 to overtake slower traffic.

The generally accepted informal minimum seems to be 50, although I think 90kph/56mph would be more sensible. Some vehicles are speed limited to 90kph.

 

[Ian Key]

You want to be doing about 5 mph more than the lorries, so as @tsedge said, 65mph would be a good compromise between economy and having a very large arctic sat on your rear bumper then trying to overtake you slowly at the next downhill stretch.

 

[lsb777]

These are the threads the anti-EV people love. Having to compromise on not using HVAC or driving dangerously slow to eke out the mileage.

I've always used ECO mode on motorways and not felt held back or slow. When using ACC I find with the Xpower it is smoother on the re-acceleration following a slow down in front and not so jerky. I usually stick at around 68 as then I'm not speeding but certainly not holding anyone up. These cars juice up quickly enough at chargers, so you're probably better off just getting to next charger safely and comfortably, rather than potentially causing issues by trying to save 5 miles of range which you'll make up quick enough at the next stop.

 

[tsedge]

Agreed. There is no "have to". I could sit at 80mph+ tailgating people if I wanted to, in my 20s that's exactly how I drove (not proud of it). But these days I'm older and wiser and I just find it really relaxing to be going that bit slower than the limit, with those in a hurry able to easily get past and me easily past the lorries.