Driving it like a regular car, MFD off

craigk · 06-30-2007, 11:30 PM

My summer tanks have been 51-54 mpg (winter 40). I watch the MFD all the time and try for good mpg. I decided to see what would happen if I drove without watching the MFD, and even used the a/c a couple of times (only because I had passengers, otherwise it's sunroof only!) I drove my same city/highway routes, and was not as careful with the accelerator pedal (can't call it "gas" pedal??) After 380 miles I couldn't wait to look any longer and my tank average was 49.6mpg! I'm keeping it off for awhile, it was much more relaxing not watching the MFD all the time.

Bill Merchant · 07-01-2007, 01:22 AM

Congratulations, Craig. I often recommend to new drivers that they turn off the display to learn the feel of the car. Can you feel regen? Can you feel the ICE kick in? I'm still learning to glide by feel alone.

craigk · 07-01-2007, 08:37 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jul 1 2007, 12:22 AM) [snapback]470902[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Can you feel regen? Can you feel the ICE kick in? I'm still learning to glide by feel alone.
[/b]

Thanks Bill,
I can definitely feel when the ICE kicks in and shuts off, I can only assume the regen when I'm in the condition where it should happen, can't feel it.

hobbit · 07-01-2007, 08:42 AM

Now, go the other way. Install a tach and try keepin' 'er in the
sweet spot range whenever it *is* running, and see how you do...
It *is* actually useful to know when the engine is on or off; helps
do more effective P&G.
.
_H*

ystasino · 07-02-2007, 02:00 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jul 1 2007, 08:42 AM) [snapback]470976[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Now, go the other way. Install a tach and try keepin' 'er in the
sweet spot range whenever it *is* running, and see how you do...
It *is* actually useful to know when the engine is on or off; helps
do more effective P&G.
.
_H*
[/b]

Hi Hobbit,
I was told that the high efficiency range is when MPH is less than 2xMPG. While it has helped me improve my MPG considerably, I was wondering if you had some similar formula from your own experiences.

brick · 07-03-2007, 09:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Jul 1 2007, 08:42 AM) [snapback]470976[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Now, go the other way. Install a tach and try keepin' 'er in the
sweet spot range whenever it *is* running, and see how you do...
It *is* actually useful to know when the engine is on or off; helps
do more effective P&G.
.
_H*
[/b]

This is great advice. I followed the directions on Hobbit's page to install an inexpensive tach and it has done wonders for the FE driving experience. It has done wonders for my highway mileage in particular since I can now use the hills to keep the engine in the "good" RPM range. Lately I've been considering a cheap vacuum gauge to get the full picture.

Analog gauges mounted on top of the dash are much less distracting than an MFD-style readout. One glance and you've got your info.

agron1979 · 07-04-2007, 01:25 AM

I've had my prius for a week and I can not get better than 48mpg, still beats the 2000 LX470 I traded in that got a lousy 14mpg

agron1979 · 07-04-2007, 01:26 AM

I've had my prius for a week and I can not get better than 48mpg, still beats the 2000 LX470 I traded in that got a lousy 14mpg

06-30-2007, 11:30 PM	#1
craigk Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Golden Valley, MN Posts: 98 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My summer tanks have been 51-54 mpg (winter 40). I watch the MFD all the time and try for good mpg. I decided to see what would happen if I drove without watching the MFD, and even used the a/c a couple of times (only because I had passengers, otherwise it's sunroof only!) I drove my same city/highway routes, and was not as careful with the accelerator pedal (can't call it "gas" pedal??) After 380 miles I couldn't wait to look any longer and my tank average was 49.6mpg! I'm keeping it off for awhile, it was much more relaxing not watching the MFD all the time. __________________ Sunroof!, Reverse "beep" off, All weather floor mats, Blocked grill in winter, Engine block heater, Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi snow tires, Parrot 3200 Bluetooth. Best tank mpg: 54.1 mpg, 415 miles Farthest tank: 484 miles, 51.8 mpg

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
regular vs. touring	hetuparekh	Prius Main Forum	4	08-08-2007 10:29 AM
here's a tip: do some regular washin'	fortheanimals	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	11	07-20-2007 05:30 PM
Driving drunk is illegal, shouldn't driving with cell phones also be?	burritos	Fred's House of Pancakes	69	02-25-2007 12:54 AM
Does driving a prius or hybrid absolve you of the sins of driving through a drive-thru?	burritos	Fuel Economy	22	08-27-2006 04:15 PM
Synthetic vs. Regular Oil	berryman	Prius Main Forum	2	09-28-2004 09:20 AM

07-01-2007, 01:22 AM	#2
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 3,996 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 6 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 53	Congratulations, Craig. I often recommend to new drivers that they turn off the display to learn the feel of the car. Can you feel regen? Can you feel the ICE kick in? I'm still learning to glide by feel alone.

07-01-2007, 08:42 AM	#4
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 3,012 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Now, go the other way. Install a tach and try keepin' 'er in the sweet spot range whenever it is running, and see how you do... It is actually useful to know when the engine is on or off; helps do more effective P&G. . _H*

07-04-2007, 01:25 AM	#7
agron1979 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've had my prius for a week and I can not get better than 48mpg, still beats the 2000 LX470 I traded in that got a lousy 14mpg

07-04-2007, 01:26 AM	#8
agron1979 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've had my prius for a week and I can not get better than 48mpg, still beats the 2000 LX470 I traded in that got a lousy 14mpg