Low Mileage on My 07 Prius

[callmetuck]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xibis @ Sep 13 2007, 01:53 PM) [snapback]511975[/snapback]</div>

I have an 07 Prius with about 6500 miles. My mileage seems to be much lower than what I am seeing on this board. I am averaging about 34 to 37 MPG per what the car registers. 99% of my miles are city miles. The only time I seem to get really good Gas Mileage is on the Hwy. I drove it from GA to VA one weekend and was getting around 43 MPG but that is the best i have seen. Is something wrong with my Prius? Any advice would be great.
[/b]

I have never seen my average above 34mpg. I also drive only city mles, in flat as a pancake South Florica. I'm running the air (of couse). My Prius has only 800 miles on it. Started driving a couple of months ago. I generally have short trips- to the grocery, etc., and have written into this forum brfore with your very same concerns. I was convinced that something was wrong with my car. I was advised about the proper techniques of driving a hybrid, and was told that my mileage would improve. It has not. Still concerned!

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Sep 22 2007, 01:43 PM) [snapback]516240[/snapback]</div>

I have never seen my average above 34mpg. I also drive only city mles, in flat as a pancake South Florica. I'm running the air (of couse). My Prius has only 800 miles on it. Started driving a couple of months ago. I generally have short trips- to the grocery, etc., and have written into this forum brfore with your very same concerns. I was convinced that something was wrong with my car. I was advised about the proper techniques of driving a hybred, and was told that my mileage would improve. It has not. Still concerned! [/b]

800 miles over a couple of months means VERY short trips and/or infrequent cold starts. While 34 is lower than I'd normally expect you haven't even broken in the tires yet. It's impossible to judge if the mileage is improving or not with only 800miles. I drive around 1500 miles/month on average and wouldn't try to assess whether something like a change in tire pressure had had an impact on my FE for at least a couple months.

I don't recall your first post requesting help, but be sure to check the tire pressure...put it up to at least 38f/36r and preferably 42f/40r.
since you do so many short trips you should seriously consider one of the engine block heaters. It will get the ICE pre-warmed and thus even with shorter trips you should be able to get reasonable mileage.
Finally, with those numbers I still suspect much has to do with your technique...how far before a stop sign do you take your foot off the gas? If it's under 200 yards you're wasting gas...I often back off the gas as much as 1/4 mile before a light and sometimes as far as 1/2 mile at highway speeds.
Are you staying at the speed limit? Do you pass other cars or follow them closely? Do the former, don't do the latter.
Not sure where you are, but there are a lot of Prius owners in Florida, many of whom get excellent FE and would likely be more than happy to take you for a spin and give you some tips and critique your driving style on your usual routes of travel.

Also, when you filled your tank last did you hit the 'reset' button on the consumption screen? If not then you're looking at a cumulative average since you got the car, it's hard to judge if there's been any improvement unless you reset that at each fill up so you can see how you're doing on each individual tank. (only applies to '06/07).

If you're still convinced something is wrong ask the dealer to check the alignment, sometimes there can be significant alignment issues that will impact FE as well, though usually not in a dramatic way.

[callmetuck]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 22 2007, 02:58 PM) [snapback]516246[/snapback]</div>

800 miles over a couple of months means VERY short trips and/or infrequent cold starts. While 34 is lower than I'd normally expect you haven't even broken in the tires yet. It's impossible to judge if the mileage is improving or not with only 800miles. I drive around 1500 miles/month on average and wouldn't try to assess whether something like a change in tire pressure had had an impact on my FE for at least a couple months.

I don't recall your first post requesting help, but be sure to check the tire pressure...put it up to at least 38f/36r and preferably 42f/40r.
since you do so many short trips you should seriously consider one of the engine block heaters. It will get the ICE pre-warmed and thus even with shorter trips you should be able to get reasonable mileage.
Finally, with those numbers I still suspect much has to do with your technique...how far before a stop sign do you take your foot off the gas? If it's under 200 yards you're wasting gas...I often back off the gas as much as 1/4 mile before a light and sometimes as far as 1/2 mile at highway speeds.
Are you staying at the speed limit? Do you pass other cars or follow them closely? Do the former, don't do the latter.
Not sure where you are, but there are a lot of Prius owners in Florida, many of whom get excellent FE and would likely be more than happy to take you for a spin and give you some tips and critique your driving style on your usual routes of travel.

Also, when you filled your tank last did you hit the 'reset' button on the consumption screen? If not then you're looking at a cumulative average since you got the car, it's hard to judge if there's been any improvement unless you reset that at each fill up so you can see how you're doing on each individual tank. (only applies to '06/07).

If you're still convinced something is wrong ask the dealer to check the alignment, sometimes there can be significant alignment issues that will impact FE as well, though usually not in a dramatic way.
[/b]

I live in Fort Lauderdale and have to laugh at a couple of your suggestions. Thanks for making them though. Our stop signs are less that 200 apart, sometimes only 200 feet! Our stop lights are every 2 to 3 blocks apart!
I did hit the reset button at the last fill up, although I had been told that this would be dont automatically.

It hasn't been under 92 degrees since I got my car, so I'm not too worried about that.

As for the tire pressure, I'm going out to check it now. Would you suggest the same psi for my 17" Pirellis?

[efusco]

A city block is typically 1/8th of a mile...so around 600ft...exactly 200 yards. If the stops are 2-3 blocks then there is ample opportunity to accelerate for about 1/2 to 2/3rds the distance and glide to the next stop.
I understand that predicament though, throw in AC in 92F temps, short trips, cold starts, and frequent stops only blocks apart and you're definately in the worst possible situation for getting good FE.

Options include seeking out a different route with fewer stops. I didn't mention AC temp setting but if you can set it to 78F or so it should keep you comfortable without running excessively hard. Tint your windows...though I suspect in FL that's an automatic thing for ya.

And the reset of the MFD is automatic on '04 & '05, but the MPG will not reset on the '06+...though the trip mileage on the display will.

If it's a goal of yours to really improve FE then there are techniques that can do that even with an undesirable commute like you have...but it takes effort, practice and experience....something you're lacking just b/c of the low amount of driving you do.

[cheule]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 22 2007, 11:58 AM) [snapback]516246[/snapback]</div>

since you do so many short trips you should seriously consider one of the engine block heaters. It will get the ICE pre-warmed and thus even with shorter trips you should be able to get reasonable mileage.[/b]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Sep 22 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]516293[/snapback]</div>

It hasn't been under 92 degrees since I got my car, so I'm not too worried about that.[/b]

Was your response about it being 92 degrees in reference to Evan's recommendation of an EBH? I don't have an EBH yet myself, but I can totally see why it would be useful. The first 5 minutes of all my drives are around 20-25 MPG. The next 5 minutes is 55+ MPG.

With your very low milage I'm assuming you do 5 min drives to the shops. If that's the case, your 30-35 MPG average is not only understandable but appropriate. I'm not sure if you've read other threads on PriusChat about fuel economy--but the Prius uses extra gas during the first 5 minutes of your drive in order to reach the proper operating temperature for the engine. This is why we get poor FE the first 5 minutes of runtime. This is also why your Prius makes odd noises when you turn your car off. It's because the Prius is pumping some of the warm engine fluid into a insulated canister to help expedite your next engine warmup.

Anyhow, my understanding with the EBHs is that your fuel economy for the first 5 minutes of your drive is much higher, since the Prius doesn't have to waste as much fuel to reach optimal engine temp.

Please correct me if I am wrong Evan!

[efusco]

I routinely see 50-75mpg for my first 5 minutes in the sumer with the EBH.

[cheule]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 23 2007, 05:58 PM) [snapback]516688[/snapback]</div>

I routinely see 50-75mpg for my first 5 minutes in the sumer with the EBH.
[/b]

I'm soooo getting one. Still debating the EV mod. Have you decided wether judicious use of the EV mod will improve FE?

[efusco]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sean Blumenthal @ Sep 23 2007, 08:01 PM) [snapback]516689[/snapback]</div>

I'm soooo getting one. Still debating the EV mod. Have you decided wether judicious use of the EV mod will improve FE? [/b]

I think it can, but only with very rare and specific usage.

[richlaz]

I also have an 07, but I'm doing 300+ miles a week, mostly highway. Up until the last tank of gas, (at 2400 miles) I wasn't resetting the mpg and it was staying around 42 mpg. On the current tank, after I reset the mpg, it's showing 36 mpg. Most of my diving is highway @ 70 mph, without a/c, and usually on cruise control. I've noticed that by the time I exit the highway, the battery indicator is usually in the green. I'm wondering if that is normal.

[efusco]

Again, check all the stuff mentioned above...tire pressure esp., have the alignment checked. For moderate weather at 70mph on CC 36 is a bit lower than I'd expect. The battery can turn green when you slow for a stop after coming off the interstate, wouldn't sweat that. You didn't say how far you've gone on the current tank or how far your individual commute/drive is.