Elevation question

[cstevethompson]

Hello
We just purchased a new 2012 Volt (We pick it up tomorrow). My daily commute is about 140 km round trip. I drop over 1000 feet on my way to work and have to climb that on the way home. I was wondering if it would be best to use Mountain mode on the way to work and save the Electric for the way home as I am unable to charge while at work.

[saghost]

Try it different ways and see what you get. Personally, I'd probably lean toward going all electric on the trip to work, which is likely in battery range given the elevation change. That way you'll only have to cold start once per day, during the trip back. You shouldn't need mountain mode on the way home for 1000 feet, unless they are in an unusually steep slope.

[Volusiano]

If you're going downhill to work don't you want to take advantage of regen to fill up the battery for your way back? Not sure what the point of doing MM on the way to work when it's down hill?

You didn't say how long your commute is so people can get a better picture.

[jljeeper]

He said 140km round trip - we need a calculator I know

[Volusiano]

He said 140km round trip - we need a calculator I know

Oops, I missed that part (was looking for miles hehe). Anyway, whipped out my calculator (yes, I need it) and it's 87 miles. I'd still use electric with regen on the way down and MM on the way up. Why do the reverse as proposed? Don't understand that logic.

[cstevethompson]

If you're going downhill to work don't you want to take advantage of regen to fill up the battery for your way back? Not sure what the point of doing MM on the way to work when it's down hill?

You didn't say how long your commute is so people can get a better picture.

As posted, my commute is 140 km round trip. I had forgotten about the regen capability, that should at least get me all the way to work on the battery. Thanks

[cstevethompson]

Hi
I was thinking MM would use less fuel going downhill?

[saghost]

Hi
I was thinking MM would use less fuel going downhill?

Unless there's something unusual going on, with that much altitude drop I would expect that you won't use any fuel going down hill with a charged battery.

[anthonykitmcinnis]

I betcha have a nice view being so high up.

I live in flat Chicago.

The best way to handle this is to test it out yourself. Keep a log of your gas and miles driven etc., and let us know what ended up being the best for you.

I used MM for the first time last week on an 8 mile trip and picked up approx 13 battery miles. My regret was I did not note the amount bof miles I had in gas when I started and finsihed so I do not know how much it cost me. I have not used MM again though.

Keep a log and report back to us.

[cstevethompson]

I betcha have a nice view being so high up.

I live in flat Chicago.

The best way to handle this is to test it out yourself. Keep a log of your gas and miles driven etc., and let us know what ended up being the best for you.

I used MM for the first time last week on an 8 mile trip and picked up approx 13 battery miles. My regret was I did not note the amount bof miles I had in gas when I started and finsihed so I do not know how much it cost me. I have not used MM again though.

Keep a log and report back to us.

I will definitely keep a log. It's going to take me awhile to figure out everything about this car. 12.5 hours to go until I pick it up from the dealer.