New owner? Want MPG help? Read this first.

[Dr._Feign]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Jan 24 2006, 07:01 PM) [snapback]196627[/snapback]</div>

This is buried back in the old PC archives and I just did some searching for it to link to it in another post... and since we have so many new owners coming on to PC right now looking for MPG solutions I thought I'd link this article here too.

So please, before freaking out and posting how there's something wrong with your car or whatever other frustration is on your mind, read through this article and take these tips to heart. If this doesn't work, THEN go ahead and post a "please help me" thread and we'll all jump up and offer suggestions

"Why don't I get the EPA Mileage?" by efusco
[/b]

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I am unfamiliar with these chats. But I want to make a comment about fuel eficiency and maintenance.

When I first bought my prius, the fuel efficiency was a large factor. Not so much to save money - I don't expect to get back the difference between the price I paid and what I'd have paid for another car - but I like to be able to cruise more than 400 miles without having to make a stop for gasoline.

My big complaint is that the fuel efficiency keeps decreasing regularly the longer I drive the car. I make many 300+ mile round trips to the same place over the same higghways. When the car was new, I was averaging between 48 and 50 mpg, depending on the wind. A year and a hal later I am down to 41 to 42 mpg on the same trips. This jhas been decreasing regularly. When I complain about this to my dealer, he keeps putting me off with various excuses. He says that the instruments he uses say that nothing is wrong and I shouldn't expect the published mileage. I don't. But I do expect consistency. The only consistency I get is the rate of decreas in the mileage from 48-50 t0 41-42.

I tried contacting Toyota in Japan but got no help orther than to see my deaer. He keeps repeating the same matra but offers no help. How do I get a mechanic who knows what he is doing anddoesn't just read a meter.

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and know that there are many thins that can cause a gradually decreasing efficiency but the dealer evidently doesn't know that.

Any suggestions from anyone?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Dr._Feign @ Aug 7 2006, 02:27 PM) [snapback]299194[/snapback]</div>

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I am unfamiliar with these chats. But I want to make a comment about fuel eficiency and maintenance.

When I first bought my prius, the fuel efficiency was a large factor. Not so much to save money - I don't expect to get back the difference between the price I paid and what I'd have paid for another car - but I like to be able to cruise more than 400 miles without having to make a stop for gasoline.

My big complaint is that the fuel efficiency keeps decreasing regularly the longer I drive the car. I make many 300+ mile round trips to the same place over the same higghways. When the car was new, I was averaging between 48 and 50 mpg, depending on the wind. A year and a hal later I am down to 41 to 42 mpg on the same trips. This jhas been decreasing regularly. When I complain about this to my dealer, he keeps putting me off with various excuses. He says that the instruments he uses say that nothing is wrong and I shouldn't expect the published mileage. I don't. But I do expect consistency. The only consistency I get is the rate of decreas in the mileage from 48-50 t0 41-42.

I tried contacting Toyota in Japan but got no help orther than to see my deaer. He keeps repeating the same matra but offers no help. How do I get a mechanic who knows what he is doing anddoesn't just read a meter.

I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and know that there are many thins that can cause a gradually decreasing efficiency but the dealer evidently doesn't know that.

Any suggestions from anyone?
[/b]

We need to know a bit more about you and your route and your car...how many miles on it and how long have you had it? It says you're from Boca Raton, FL, is that accurate and is that where you do most of your driving. What kind of 300+ mile commute do you do...freeway at 85, hwy. at 60, stop and go through small towns and rural roads? What have you done, besides complain to the dealer, to improve and resolve the problems?

Have you checked your tire pressure and what are they at? I strongly urge you to increase tire pressure to 42f/40r. You should see an almost immediate impact.

Check your oil level now and after each oil change. 4 quarts is too much and will put you over the 'max' mark on the dip stick. I bring my own Mobil 1 to the dealer, but only 3.5 quarts...I top off, if necessary (hasn't been necessary yet) , after I get home. Overfilling the oil will have a negative impact on FE. Consider a switch to synthetic oil, and in FL, using a lighter weight oil such as 0W20 is a reasonable consideration as well...though that won't endeer you to the dealer should there be warranty issues.

Have the alignment checked...tell the dealer it's pulling, the steering wheel is crooked, or just tell him that your FE is low... if you're in the first 12mo/12k mi they should do that for free. Many of us found that we had some significant toe in when we had the alignment done, that could have an impact, esp. on hwy. driving.

Keep the AC on Auto at about 78 degrees...or even warmer if it doesn't bother you...the lower the setting the less drain on your FE.

Finally...and it probably should have been first, read my article on FE in the articles section, many people find the main issue for their FE issues after reading it.
http://priuschat.com/index.php?autocom=art...howarticle&id=3

[SDpnoy]

Wow! Great forum and info. I'm considering purchasing a 2006 prius. I have a 16mile one way trip every morning, and I'm assuming this car will benifit me. Currently I'm driving a 2001 CRV(Trading this in) and 2005 Scion XB.

Thanks for the great info everyone.

[SDpnoy]

Great info. Thx.

[efusco]

Here's another article at the Hybridcars.com site that folks could/should read.
http://www.hybridcars.com/maximizing-milea...yota-prius.html

[tmgrl3]

I wasa a bit disappointed with my first thank at 30 mpg....My Camry got 20 mpg in same locale.

However, my second tank, using all the tips here (except oil levels..need to check that)...was 42 mpg and on third tank, I am running 41.3 so far...

That being said...the Prius is for me! I understand that where I live, (very hilly) and my kind of driving (lots of short trips) affect my overall mpg...and I am maximizing that as much as possible...

I bought the Prius because of my belief in the concept of a car that is environmentally friendly...so just by driving it, I get loads of questions...and am proud to tell others that I love the car....

terri

[philster]

Hello,

I'm new here, i'm appreciating all of the great information. I live in the South San Francisco Bay Area. I do not own a Prius yet but I've test driven one and I've met a few owners.

Can I ask a question? I appologize if this question has already been addressed. It sounds like the car runs the best after it's warmed up. With most cars you can just turn them on and let them idle for 5-10 minutes. If I remember correctly, the Prius is in electric mode once you turn it on until you accelerate. In other words there's no warming up for the gas engine after you simply turn the car on. How can you warm the engine up while it's sitting without driving it?

Thanks in Advance,

Phil

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(philster @ Aug 29 2006, 11:53 PM) [snapback]311470[/snapback]</div>

Hello,

I'm new here, i'm appreciating all of the great information. I live in the South San Francisco Bay Area. I do not own a Prius yet but I've test driven one and I've met a few owners.

Can I ask a question? I appologize if this question has already been addressed. It sounds like the car runs the best after it's warmed up. With most cars you can just turn them on and let them idle for 5-10 minutes. If I remember correctly, the Prius is in electric mode once you turn it on until you accelerate. In other words there's no warming up for the gas engine after you simply turn the car on. How can you warm the engine up while it's sitting without driving it?

Thanks in Advance,

Phil [/b]

While the ICE is most efficient once warmed up it makes no sense to allow it to idle (even if it would) when not driving it. You get ZERO MPG when it's not moving and idling and ultimately that'll make a significant negative impact on your fuel economy...not to mention the increased unnecessary emissions.

The car actually warms up almost completely within the first 5-10 minutes of driving even in quite cold weather. So it's best to just get in, start up and drive once you're ready to go.

And you're partially correct. Once you start the car and it goes into 'READY' mode the ICE won't start for about 7 seconds. Then it will run and 'idle' (faster than a regular idle, but not much) for a varying period of time depending upon the outside temp, accessories running, etc. Usually around 30 sec. to one minute. Then it'll shut off. If the battery charge gets low the ICE will come on to recharge it a bit, but otherwise will stay off.

[philster]

ok, i see.. better to just start driving. thanks for the post.

[obtuseangler]

I couldn't access the link to high mileage tips. but wanted to share our experience. We are rookie Prius owners. I was looking for a new Corolla to replace my wife's 2000 model. I crunched the numbers and it made sense to buy the Prius, instead. I read reviews written by some people who complained about low mileage, and many posts by people who went to great lengths to get high mileage. We have had our car for about three weeks

Anyway, my wife drives about 37 miles daily. She pays no attention whatsoever to the energy consumption screens. She just loves the way the car looks and drives, and her main passion is the stereo. She drives the Prius just like she drove the Corolla. She is consistently averaging 50 mpg and the car is not broken in. I've put gas in the Pruis twice, five gallons each time.

For comparison, I'm driving the Corolla now and parked the Sienna in the garage. Yes, we own three Toyotas. The EPA estimate on the Corolla was something like 30/38. The car is in perfect mechanical condition. I'm driving very carfully, but averaging 30 mpg in the Corolla.

If the EPA estimate on the Prius is 61/50 and we are getting 50 I'm happy. Our gas savings more than make up for the added cost of the Prius.