8000 Long trip observations

[icarus]

We just completed our first long trip in our 07 pkg 6. 8000 miles A few observations.

We fully expected or mileage to suffer, since we were loaded to the gills, and we would be driving fast through out the west. 70-80mph. Here is what we found. The average for the entire 8000 mile trip was 49 mpg. Our high tank was 53, the low 38.6. The low was with 400 miles of 65mgh head winds across the Dakotas. Close drafting a semi brought it up to the mid 40's, but the cross wind was so bad you couldn't keep the draft.

We found that the mileage was considerably better (counterintuitivly) in the mountains than on the Prairie. My guess is that the ice is more effecient going up hill due to the fact that it has to run, but on the long down grades it picked up porpotionaly more. We saw our highest displays on the mountain streaches. (All mountain driveing from Bellingham, Wa, to Forsyth Mt. via the northcascades highway, over the Idaho panhandle, Kalispel, Helena, no 4 lane)

We aslo noticed that as the outside temp cooled, the mileage went to hell. First mornng out, about 35f it took 2 hours for the car to get close to 50mph. I stopped and bought some foam and plugged the grill, and it warmed up and came up to average much faster. I had a bit of worries driving in the mountains with 55f days thinking it was too warm for a plugged (upper) grill. Not worries. At every stop, I checked how hot the engine was by feel. The block was only warm to touch, and the radiator was cold.

As to handleing complaints. The car does buffet around in the wind a bit, but no more than any other small car. (Try driving a VW Westfalia across the prairies!) It isn't a sports car on winding mountain roads, but thats not what it is for.

All in all the car was comfortable and nice to drive. The nav system was perfect, even in remote parts of Northern On Canada. The sound system was good, the seat good but not great. All our stuff fit in easily along with the dog! To anyone thinking that this is not a good car for transcontinental trips, I say "double the mileage of anything else with all the comfort and size! A no brainer!"

Icarus

[essaunders]

Good summary. Thanks!

I did a couple shorter trips (~1000miles) and have the following observations: At highway speeds it is all about drag.

I did a trip with four people and comfortably full trunk (cargo cover easily fit over luggage). Following the speed limit (mostly) I'd guess we averaged over 50mpg. I did another trip with two people and probably about the same weight of luggage -- but we also had two bikes on bike rack (Saris T-rax) on the trailer hitch. I'd guess our highway mileage dropped to 38mpg - city/lower speed sightseeing was more like 45mpg.
This is just my relatively non-scientific observation, but it meshes with other observations.

Now, just how much do those bug splatters really affect my mileage..

[mingoglia]

How does the Prius do up long hills? Did you have any several mile stretches of 6% or higher grade? I'm thinking on taking the Prius out on a road trip (rather than my larger, 12mpg on Premium gas guzzler) but I want to make sure I can keep the 75mph speed limit going up hills. Will the Prius keep up? MPG on road trips isn't much of a concern for me. I'm balls to the wall when on the open road... then back on Monday I'll watch the consumption meter.

[icarus]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mingoglia @ Nov 6 2007, 03:20 PM) [snapback]535800[/snapback]</div>

How does the Prius do up long hills? Did you have any several mile stretches of 6% or higher grade? I'm thinking on taking the Prius out on a road trip (rather than my larger, 12mpg on Premium gas guzzler) but I want to make sure I can keep the 75mph speed limit going up hills. Will the Prius keep up? MPG on road trips isn't much of a concern for me. I'm balls to the wall when on the open road... then back on Monday I'll watch the consumption meter.
[/b]

It does hill just fine. North Cascades, Loup-Loup, Wauconda, Shermin in WA, 4th of July in ID, Pipestone, Bozeman in MT. No problem anywhere. I wouldn't say we did 75 up all the hills (by choice), but I think we sure could of come close.

Icarus

PS. The great part of the long hills are the downs. The Vantage hill by the Columbia River is the longest unbroken grade west of the Mississippi I believe!

[usbseawolf2000]

Did you change engine oil during the trip as you went over 5k miles schedule. Long highway drive should be easier on the oil.

[icarus]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Nov 7 2007, 08:29 AM) [snapback]536169[/snapback]</div>

Did you change engine oil during the trip as you went over 5k miles schedule. Long highway drive should be easier on the oil.
[/b]

I changed the oil the day before we left and the day we got back. I run sythetic so 7k shouldn't be a streach.

Icarus

[skruse]

I keep very careful detailed records regarding fuel economy. In September I drove from the Great Central Valley, through Yosemite National Park, to Owens Valley for the annual Fall Century bicycle ride. I am fully aware that fuel economy suffers due to changes in topography. I was surprised to find I obtained 68.3 mpg for that tank - doing nothing more than the usual prudent driving techniques combined with warm ambient air temperatures. I normally earn 52.5 mpg on level ground.

[elcorazon]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Nov 7 2007, 02:06 PM) [snapback]536222[/snapback]</div>

I keep very careful detailed records regarding fuel economy. In September I drove from the Great Central Valley, through Yosemite National Park, to Owens Valley for the annual Fall Century bicycle ride. I am fully aware that fuel economy suffers due to changes in topography. I was surprised to find I obtained 68.3 mpg for that tank - doing nothing more than the usual prudent driving techniques combined with warm ambient air temperatures. I normally earn 52.5 mpg on level ground.
[/b]

interesting. I wonder if I'd be doing better if I weren't in FLAT Illinois.

[Rangerdavid]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(essaunders @ Nov 6 2007, 05:29 PM) [snapback]535762[/snapback]</div>

I did a trip with four people and comfortably full trunk (cargo cover easily fit over luggage).
[/b]

My Question, I can't fit all my wife's luggage in the back and close the cargo cover. How did you do it with 4 people????

did you have some "carry on" restriction like on the airlines???

thanks.......

[icarus]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Nov 7 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]536452[/snapback]</div>

My Question, I can't fit all my wife's luggage in the back and close the cargo cover. How did you do it with 4 people????

did you have some "carry on" restriction like on the airlines???

thanks.......
[/b]

The original poster (me): We had two people and a large dog. One way we have always traveled is packing carefully. Rather than conventional suitcases we tend to pack in rubbermaid storeage boxes. With the back seats folded down, the dog gets 1/4 of the remaining flat area. Small stuff is placed behind the drivers and passengers seats. (There is a lot of space there if you use it. We put stuff in little rubbermaids there)

The remaining flat area gets 2 full sized and 2 1/2 size boxes, following the roof line. larger in the front, smaller in the back. The space in between holds the dogs rubbermaid with her food etc. Behind the rubbermaids, gotten to from the hatch, lies a computer case, motel coffe pot, cmaera case etc. (Under the floor, by the spare is filled with stuff we won't need for the trip)
Finally, behing the drivers seat fits a small playmate cooler and s snack bag, and a small suitcase for motels.

You really can take a lot of stuff if you plan carefully.

Icarus