Long Trip, MPG, Synthetic Oil

Capemayal · 08-08-2007, 10:24 PM

I'm in the middle of a long trip from Cape May, NJ to San Luis Obispo, CA and back.

I'm about 4800 miles into the total trip, with just under 15,000 on the odometer.

Using a '07.

MPG average, right now, on the MFD, reads 47.4.

I've been driving at highway speeds, letting the transmission and cruise control do it's work up and down grades. In the west, the speeds reach 75 mph. That's about 2/3 of the way west to east.

I had the air conditioner on, set at 68 most of the time, on auto. It was 104 in the Mojave desert.

Changed the oil at 5000 miles (1st change), and put Castrol EO30 (I think that's the right designation - don't have one on hand to check), with an Amsoil filter.

As of now, there has been no change in the oil level.

Considering the speeds, the a/c, grades, winds, etc, I think I'm doing okay with the MPG.

At home, most of my trips, to and from stores, are 7 to 10 miles both ways. I usually average 49 to 53 MPG, depending on how far, and how fast, etc.

Just thought I'd pass this along.

jswalt2 · 08-13-2007, 08:11 PM

That is pretty good I think. I drive in the Mojave Desert....on paved & unpaved roads.. I average 42.5 mpg locally and 47 plus on the longer highway drives. It is hard to compare mpg's on each vehicle with our own driving habits and the contours of each highway.

I did get 57 mpg the other day on a wild ride down to L. A. in the HOV lane. (Generally downhill) They drive too fast for me, but I loved the mpg.

Still it sounds like your are getting good mpg.

morpheusx · 08-21-2007, 01:25 AM

try this with your A/C
instead of using the auto A/C set the temp at Low and then don't turn it up any higher then the speed before M. You will be amazed at what it will do to your economy, oh and use that air recycle button. The Fan speed is a real electric juice killer.

ddlegg · 08-23-2007, 04:26 PM

Hi. I've just joined PriusChat . I'm sorry I didn't join before now because there's so much knowledge among this group----as I plug in to variou places etc.
My main interest is to improve my fuel usage . The running mph of my
Prius has been steadily dropping from a 50mpg to 48.37. I "know" something is wrong . I need help. Thanks

ddlegg · 08-23-2007, 04:48 PM

I just realised with my posting Iwas a little vague & open to all sorts of suggestions about how to increase my mpg. I have done just about everything to my Prius to get the most out of it. Synthetic oil never never
over filled ( 1/4 " down on the filler stick ). Tires --- 44 front , 42 rear , pressure checked min. of once a week. Air filter checked once per month & I'm now using a B & N filter over the past 4000 miles. The front end has been aligned & the tires rotated ,balanced etc. . A new ventilation valve replaced 2000 miles ago & all the fittings etc carefully checked for leaks. Brakes checked for drag. Fuel additive added to clean the injectors. My driving habits have improved by the years ( 04 to the present ) No warning lights go on ---all is well but it isn't !

NoMoShocks · 08-23-2007, 05:16 PM

I love San Luis Obispo or SLO (pronounced "slow") in affectionate terms.

I went to school there. Be sure to have a sandwitch at the Firestone on Marsh St. It is an old Firestone Tire garrage converted to resteraunt.

Hope you have a reservation for one of the far out rooms at the Madonna Inn.
Check out the link for links to each unique hotel room in SLO.

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08-08-2007, 10:24 PM	#1
Capemayal Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 26 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm in the middle of a long trip from Cape May, NJ to San Luis Obispo, CA and back. I'm about 4800 miles into the total trip, with just under 15,000 on the odometer. Using a '07. MPG average, right now, on the MFD, reads 47.4. I've been driving at highway speeds, letting the transmission and cruise control do it's work up and down grades. In the west, the speeds reach 75 mph. That's about 2/3 of the way west to east. I had the air conditioner on, set at 68 most of the time, on auto. It was 104 in the Mojave desert. Changed the oil at 5000 miles (1st change), and put Castrol EO30 (I think that's the right designation - don't have one on hand to check), with an Amsoil filter. As of now, there has been no change in the oil level. Considering the speeds, the a/c, grades, winds, etc, I think I'm doing okay with the MPG. At home, most of my trips, to and from stores, are 7 to 10 miles both ways. I usually average 49 to 53 MPG, depending on how far, and how fast, etc. Just thought I'd pass this along.

08-13-2007, 08:11 PM	#2
jswalt2 Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 6 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	That is pretty good I think. I drive in the Mojave Desert....on paved & unpaved roads.. I average 42.5 mpg locally and 47 plus on the longer highway drives. It is hard to compare mpg's on each vehicle with our own driving habits and the contours of each highway. I did get 57 mpg the other day on a wild ride down to L. A. in the HOV lane. (Generally downhill) They drive too fast for me, but I loved the mpg. Still it sounds like your are getting good mpg.

08-21-2007, 01:25 AM	#3
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,263 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	try this with your A/C instead of using the auto A/C set the temp at Low and then don't turn it up any higher then the speed before M. You will be amazed at what it will do to your economy, oh and use that air recycle button. The Fan speed is a real electric juice killer.

08-23-2007, 04:26 PM	#4
ddlegg Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi. I've just joined PriusChat . I'm sorry I didn't join before now because there's so much knowledge among this group----as I plug in to variou places etc. My main interest is to improve my fuel usage . The running mph of my Prius has been steadily dropping from a 50mpg to 48.37. I "know" something is wrong . I need help. Thanks

08-23-2007, 04:48 PM	#5
ddlegg Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I just realised with my posting Iwas a little vague & open to all sorts of suggestions about how to increase my mpg. I have done just about everything to my Prius to get the most out of it. Synthetic oil never never over filled ( 1/4 " down on the filler stick ). Tires --- 44 front , 42 rear , pressure checked min. of once a week. Air filter checked once per month & I'm now using a B & N filter over the past 4000 miles. The front end has been aligned & the tires rotated ,balanced etc. . A new ventilation valve replaced 2000 miles ago & all the fittings etc carefully checked for leaks. Brakes checked for drag. Fuel additive added to clean the injectors. My driving habits have improved by the years ( 04 to the present ) No warning lights go on ---all is well but it isn't !

08-23-2007, 05:16 PM	#6
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,026 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I love San Luis Obispo or SLO (pronounced "slow") in affectionate terms. I went to school there. Be sure to have a sandwitch at the Firestone on Marsh St. It is an old Firestone Tire garrage converted to resteraunt. Hope you have a reservation for one of the far out rooms at the Madonna Inn. Check out the link for links to each unique hotel room in SLO.