Disappointed

[elcorazon]

I got my prius in late August. It gets driven mostly on short trips (10 minutes of local driving), and each tank has gotten 40-45 mpg. I drove it on a longer trip to (320 miles on the interstate) and it still got around 45 mpg. I was ok with that. I noticed oddities in the guess gauge (110 miles before I lost a pip).

Now on my latest tank, I've gone about 120 miles, I'm around 37 mpg and I've lost 4 pips already. WHY? This is disturbing to me. I was content with low 40's, but as I drop further, I'm getting disappointed. Wondering if the whole thing was worth the trouble. sigh.

[F8L]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elcorazon @ Nov 5 2007, 07:28 AM) [snapback]534919[/snapback]</div>

I got my prius in late August. It gets driven mostly on short trips (10 minutes of local driving), and each tank has gotten 40-45 mpg. I drove it on a longer trip to (320 miles on the interstate) and it still got around 45 mpg. I was ok with that. I noticed oddities in the guess gauge (110 miles before I lost a pip).

Now on my latest tank, I've gone about 120 miles, I'm around 37 mpg and I've lost 4 pips already. WHY? This is disturbing to me. I was content with low 40's, but as I drop further, I'm getting disappointed. Wondering if the whole thing was worth the trouble. sigh.
[/b]

Could be the usual things like your local terrain and temps but a lot could also be your driving style and the fact you have such shot trips. Nearly all cars get terrible gas milage on short trips because the engine is cold and running in a rich mode. So even a Chevy Aveo (rated at 28mpg avg.) will not get it's best mpg during the first 10minutes of a trip. You may consider getting an engine block heater AND doing a little bit of math to see how much money you are actually losing. I get frustrated at times because I cannot get 50mpg avg. in my car. Then I do the math between 45mpg-50mpg and 10k miles of driving and the amount is low enough that I don't feel so bad anymore.

[elcorazon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Nov 5 2007, 11:51 AM) [snapback]534934[/snapback]</div>

Could be the usual things like your local terrain and temps but a lot could also be your driving style and the fact you have such shot trips. Nearly all cars get terrible gas milage on short trips because the engine is cold and running in a rich mode. So even a Chevy Aveo (rated at 28mpg avg.) will not get it's best mpg during the first 10minutes of a trip. You may consider getting an engine block heater AND doing a little bit of math to see how much money you are actually losing. I get frustrated at times because I cannot get 50mpg avg. in my car. Then I do the math between 45mpg-50mpg and 10k miles of driving and the amount is low enough that I don't feel so bad anymore.
[/b]

1. there has been no change in my driving style or the nature of my trips. If anything, I have become more and more cognizant of my driving style over the last couple of months and ought to be improving my fuel economy, I would think.
2. the weather has gotten colder, so maybe that's it. But honestly, we have yet to really get cold, so I'm kinda concerned about what'll happen in the winter.
3. just prior to this tank, I got the light showing I had low tire pressure. I put air in all four tires, and was kinda hoping this would improve my mileage. Yet this tank has sucked. What really gets me is that I fear I won't even get 300 miles on this tank, which borders on what I get in my Honda Odyssey. True the tank's bigger, but still, I want more out of a Prius.

[F8L]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elcorazon @ Nov 5 2007, 08:00 AM) [snapback]534941[/snapback]</div>

1. there has been no change in my driving style or the nature of my trips. If anything, I have become more and more cognizant of my driving style over the last couple of months and ought to be improving my fuel economy, I would think.
2. the weather has gotten colder, so maybe that's it. But honestly, we have yet to really get cold, so I'm kinda concerned about what'll happen in the winter.
3. just prior to this tank, I got the light showing I had low tire pressure. I put air in all four tires, and was kinda hoping this would improve my mileage. Yet this tank has sucked. What really gets me is that I fear I won't even get 300 miles on this tank, which borders on what I get in my Honda Odyssey. True the tank's bigger, but still, I want more out of a Prius.
[/b]

1. I'm kind of in the same boat here. I try hard and it doesn't seem to change too much.

2. Temps can play a huge part, especially on such short trips. Again, the engine block heater may be an option for you.

3. What did you air your tires up to and would you assume that your tires were low (below 30psi) on your prior tanks? What kind of tires? Have you had your alignment checked?

You definately cannot compare tank milage between two vehicles with different sized tanks. My Prius rarely accepts more than 7gallons of fuel and will go on average, 320-360miles to a tank. My truck used to do that as well but took 22gallons to do it. lol

Again, go do some math and let me know what you think. It's kind of eye opening. The others will give you some advice shortly and hopefully be more helpful than I was. Good luck.

[berylrb]

well elcorazon welcome to the club!

Here's a link that might help you,
http://priuschat.com/New-owner-Want-MPG-he...rst-t15311.html

I've forgotten the name of Ed Fusco's post/thread which is a good one-post read.

Questions for you:

1. describe your average trip? If you are under 10 minutes consistently and have any hills at all in that 'under 10 minutes' you should be in the below 40 range. That's not a problem with the Prius or your driving per se just the nature of short trips on any gasoline engine.
2. What is your PSI exactly? I'm using 42 front and 40 rear, and that made a significant difference.
3. Describe your driving style? For instance it is a common misconception that to get the high MPG one must drive conservatively, please check out the thread, there are definitely non-intuitive techniques that can make even a 10 minute commute better fuel economy wise.

[elcorazon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berylrb @ Nov 5 2007, 12:28 PM) [snapback]534963[/snapback]</div>

well elcorazon welcome to the club!

Here's a link that might help you,
http://priuschat.com/New-owner-Want-MPG-he...rst-t15311.html

I've forgotten the name of Ed Fusco's post/thread which is a good one-post read.

Questions for you:

1. describe your average trip? If you are under 10 minutes consistently and have any hills at all in that 'under 10 minutes' you should be in the below 40 range. That's not a problem with the Prius or your driving per se just the nature of short trips on any gasoline engine.
2. What is your PSI exactly? I'm using 42 front and 40 rear, and that made a significant difference.
3. Describe your driving style? For instance it is a common misconception that to get the high MPG one must drive conservatively, please check out the thread, there are definitely non-intuitive techniques that can make even a 10 minute commute better fuel economy wise.

[/b]

my average trip is about 2 1/4 miles of city driving (suburban actually). I have about 6-7 lights on this trip, and rarely get above 35 mph. It is not hilly - I'm in Illinois. Sometimes I arrive before the second 5 minutes shows up on my screen.

I have to be honest. I'm not a guy who generally does any work on his own car. I take it in for EVERYTHING. When the light went on, I didn't even know what it was. I took it to my service guy who said all 4 tires were low and he raised them to 35. I suppose I should increase the psi, but to reiterate, they were LOWER before and the mileage was better, so I don't think this is the problem.

I do drive conservatively for the most part. I have scanned that thread and have yet to actually see any suggestions of note. Care to direct me better or just tell me what I should be doing. I try not to speed up to stop at a light. I try to coast or glide into it. I have yet to figure out if it's better to jump up quickly to 35 mph, then settle in there, or to slowly speed up. Care to enlighten me? Rarely can I go more than 1/2 mile without stopping or at least slowing for an intersection/RR crossing, left turner, or stoplight/stopsign or yield.

I know the prius is doing better than any other vehicle would. I just want more. Can't help but be greedy sometimes, ya know.

[berylrb]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elcorazon @ Nov 5 2007, 11:42 AM) [snapback]534978[/snapback]</div>

my average trip is about 2 1/4 miles of city driving (suburban actually). I have about 6-7 lights on this trip, and rarely get above 35 mph. It is not hilly - I'm in Illinois. Sometimes I arrive before the second 5 minutes shows up on my screen.[/b]

not much more you can do then that, other than taking a longer route to avoid the lights.

I have to be honest. I'm not a guy who generally does any work on his own car. I take it in for EVERYTHING. When the light went on, I didn't even know what it was. I took it to my service guy who said all 4 tires were low and he raised them to 35. I suppose I should increase the psi, but to reiterate, they were LOWER before and the mileage was better, so I don't think this is the problem.[/b]

Definitely, increase the air pressure. This seems to be the number one thing done on priuschat.com to increase MPG, so with that much evidence, I'd say that is job #1. Even in my worst case situation in SF it made a difference.

I do drive conservatively for the most part. I have scanned that thread and have yet to actually see any suggestions of note. Care to direct me better or just tell me what I should be doing. I try not to speed up to stop at a light. I try to coast or glide into it. I have yet to figure out if it's better to jump up quickly to 35 mph, then settle in there, or to slowly speed up. Care to enlighten me? Rarely can I go more than 1/2 mile without stopping or at least slowing for an intersection/RR crossing, left turner, or stoplight/stopsign or yield...[/b]

Here's a short list, someone will come along to point you to Ed's article. I never actually read the entire thread that I pointed you to sorry if it wasn't to the point enough.

1. increase tire pressure 42/40 front/rear
2. do accelerate up to speed, not racing, but smooth intentional acceleration, watch your consumption screen, but I've found 39 MPH the best 'sweet spot'
3. do anticipate stops, but not in an offensive way to other drivers
4. use heat and A/C conservatively, my mom used to call it "sweater (heat) and t-shirt (a/c)" temperatures
5. use the same gas station as much as possible, set pump to slowest rate possible
6. pulse and glide, accelerate a little past the speed you want to maintain, back off and apply as little pressure as possible to maintain speed and or desired MPG (there are more technical explanations all over the priuschat.com feel free to search, but that's my attempt at simplicity). I've found it works best at certain MPH flat and flat roads with the exception of 39 MPH and 59 MPH I'm often able to maintain those on slight grades, hmmm?
7. you are in prime country for a block heater, again search the threads.
8. you are probably a price candidate for an EV switch too, or do you have one? nonetheless if you can pick a route that has a downgrade in the first five minutes

OK, that's all my words I hope this is helpful?

[ACORNBLUES]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(elcorazon @ Nov 5 2007, 11:42 AM) [snapback]534978[/snapback]</div>

I know the prius is doing better than any other vehicle would. I just want more. Can't help but be greedy sometimes, ya know.
[/b]

So u're saying that u're willing to go the extra mi to improve your mileage. Here's my 2 cents.

1. inflate ur tire to 44/42 psi (front/rear)
2. stuff your front grill (top and bottom). I'm in SD and I stuff my grill when the temp drops to 75F
3. get an EBH - engine block heater. Hey DANNY when is the next group buy on the EBH starting?

I don't think an EV button is for you. The key here is not to drain the battery because it can be costly in terms of FE. I would suggest that you accelerate (18-25mpg) up to speed and then feather to a little above 50mpg and maintain that mpg until you need to coast to a stop. above 40 mph you can feather to a little above 60mpg and maintain that mpg until you need to coast to a stop.

I'm avging 55mpg but my commute is about 30-40min RT. I am tempted to try and run an EBH off a battery at work to improve that #. My 1st 5minutes ranges from 25-35mpg. After that its usually 60mpg if i'm disciplined enough or the lights are in my favor.

[elcorazon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ACORNBLUES @ Nov 5 2007, 07:32 PM) [snapback]535139[/snapback]</div>

So u're saying that u're willing to go the extra mi to improve your mileage. Here's my 2 cents.

1. inflate ur tire to 44/42 psi (front/rear)
2. stuff your front grill (top and bottom). I'm in SD and I stuff my grill when the temp drops to 75F
3. get an EBH - engine block heater. Hey DANNY when is the next group buy on the EBH starting?

I don't think an EV button is for you. The key here is not to drain the battery because it can be costly in terms of FE. I would suggest that you accelerate (18-25mpg) up to speed and then feather to a little above 50mpg and maintain that mpg until you need to coast to a stop. above 40 mph you can feather to a little above 60mpg and maintain that mpg until you need to coast to a stop.

I'm avging 55mpg but my commute is about 30-40min RT. I am tempted to try and run an EBH off a battery at work to improve that #. My 1st 5minutes ranges from 25-35mpg. After that its usually 60mpg if i'm disciplined enough or the lights are in my favor.
[/b]

as a relative newbie and a non technical car guy, I want to know how one "stuffs the front grill", and how one can go about purchasing an engine block heater, and who will install it, plus how one uses it and how it helps. I take it it needs to be plugged in before you drive the vehicle to help the FE for the first few minutes of driving.

also, why would the front tires be higher than the rear? just wondering.

[qbee42]

Highway mileage will always be lower, as you are overcoming a lot of aerodynamic drag at those speeds. Your highway mileage is fairly typical, depending on speed, terrain, temperature, and weather.

Short trips will cause poor mileage, and colder temperatures will lower that even further. Be content that you are getting much better mileage than you would with a conventional car under similar circumstances. If you want to try to improve your mileage a bit, try some of the tricks and techniques suggested by the mileage experts here on PC.

Tom