This car is amazing!

[Astroprius]

This is the second time this week that I've averaged over 75 MPG on my way home from work. The 30 minute segment displayed represents about 20 miles of about 80% city, 20% highway. The car has 2,512 total miles and the mileage is definitely getting better with both age and warmer temps.

[Brian]

I really agree with you about the mileage. But the car itself, just BLOWS ME AWAY. Every time I get in to drive to school, it just give me chills. It is simply amazing! There aren't words to describe the way it makes me feel. It helps the earth, and the air, what more would make you happier!! Well, the mpg's can too.
Brian

[mashmom]

Originally posted by Astroprius
This is the second time this week that I've averaged over 75 MPG on my way home from work.

I'm totally envious! I use mine for short around town trips in a hilly environment; can't hardy get over 40 mpg, driving conservatively. I've just reached 1,500 miles so hoping for improvement.

[Brian]

I do the same, short trips in a hilly environment. But the mpg's are climbing for me. I only have 800 miles.

[Astroprius]

Short trips aren't going to allow you to get the best mileage because the ICE is running more than usual. I do take short trips and the first 5 minutes are always terrible. Trips that are generally longer than 10 minutes are where you will start to see greater efficiency. And hills are not the best terrain for fuel economy. Especially if you have to stop for traffic lights.

But, in general, your mileage will improve as you become more familiar with your car and learn how to drive to achieve higher fuel economy. As long as I'm getting close to the EPA estimates then I'm happy. I don't expect to get 75 MPG all of the time. Perhaps the 3rd generation Prius will have that capability.

[mikepaul]

I think some of the warnings about AC use are turning out to be valuable.

My fist 5 minutes is almost always 25MPG, and sometimes the second 5 too. I'm comfortable, but I think I should be doing better. I'll see if my morning drive to work without AC for a few days shows any difference. At 90 degrees, the afternoon drive WILL be air conditioned...

[efusco]

Originally posted by mikepaul
I think some of the warnings about AC use are turning out to be valuable.

My fist 5 minutes is almost always 25MPG, and sometimes the second 5 too.  I'm comfortable, but I think I should be doing better.  I'll see if my morning drive to work without AC for a few days shows any difference.  At 90 degrees, the afternoon drive WILL be air conditioned...

I took a drive today with my family (4 people, total weight about 410 lbs)....about 40 miles each way on a very hilly Ozark highway, most of it at 60mph. My starting mileage was 57.4mpg.

On the way down, in the morning it was cool enough to drive with AC off, vent only until we had nearly arrived at our destination and my wife began to say she's feeling warm (and she's 7 months pregnant) OAT was about 78 degrees. On it went (set at 78 degrees) for probably the last 10 miles. MPG was about 56.8 at destination.

Coming home OAT had risen to mid 80s, car had been in the sun all day and was HOT! AC turned on to about 78 degrees again...first 5 min. bar was as low as I've seen since winter--25mpg, second 5 min bar about 40mpg and the AC was pumping hard that entire first 10 min. Then the temp settled in and I achieved steady hwy speed of 60mph on Cruise control with the AC on the whole way. No comfort complaints from my wife. Arrived home with a mileage showing 56.8!!!

The AC is fine/safe to use and, though it will impact mileage, if you set a comfortable but not extreme temperture you'll still get good mileage. Now, if I'd have had it set to 72 degrees with that OAT and a car full of warm bodies I do think the impact would have been more dramatic. I think the key is to set it to a modest temperture when you need to use it in order to stay comfortable, but not chilled...and it helps to take longer trips since it'll really hit that first 5-10min. mileage.

[mikepaul]

Even without the AC, my first 5-minute bar today was just a hair above 25MPG.

I'm probably paying today for yesterday's energy use, so not using it in the morning but turning it on to go home may not show anything. The fan alone was OK at 63 degrees, but the car would just be a convection oven this afternoon. I won't be living an AC-less life just to save some gas.

Maybe those Iridium plugs should go in now?... :wink:

[Bob Allen]

As my son pointed out, the worst milage in a Prius is still twice what most people are getting.