New owner? Want MPG help? Read this first.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by margo

I even drove another prius under the same conditions with equal mileage and, guess what. . . the other car reached over 43MPG.

Margo, that really doesn't mean much if anything. Unless you drove the two cars the same exact day, same exact speed, same exact starting temps for ICE and batteries, exact same tire pressures, exact same traffic conditions, etc. Esp. if the route is shorter than about 20 miles it's nearly impossible to claim any differences in MPG.

BTW, have you hit 'reset' on your MFD mpg readout? if not you're looking at a cumulative MPG since the car was first rolled out...so your more recent mpg may be a lot better but it'll take several tanks to reflect that.

[pepper04]

I think I may have a similar situation as you in that I do a lot of short trips in the city, and I've been told the cold weather makes the mpg worse. I am now getting 20-25 mpg since the last few months and have been told by the Toyota dealership that this is normal for people who live in the city in cold places. Not sure what to make of it.

[JimboK]

Originally Posted by pepper04

I think I may have a similar situation as you in that I do a lot of short trips in the city, and I've been told the cold weather makes the mpg worse. I am now getting 20-25 mpg since the last few months and have been told by the Toyota dealership that this is normal for people who live in the city in cold places. Not sure what to make of it.

Cold weather + short trips is indeed one of the worst-case scenarios for the Prius. That's an MPG killer for any car. But the effect is greater in the Prius because in conditions like yours the engine will never reach full operating temperature and, unlike a fully warmed engine, will never shut down when the vehicle is moving.

I strongly suggest you check out an engine block heater. That should at least get you into 30+ MPG territory. Do a good search for details; there are several good threads on the topic. PC member/Boston area resident Hobbit might be willing to assist with installation if you're mechanically challenged (like me).

[donalmilligan089]

If i only drove the 5 or six miles at a time im sure milage sufers. I drive some leisure trips farther, and get better mpg. Forget the dataon screen, very inaccurate I use actual gal. and odometer reading at each fill up and avg, 41+ mph still better than even sub compact in other cars. Prius is bigger and more comfortable than small hondas or carollas Don

[Frayadjacent]

I'd concur with the sentiment that short trips and cold weather KILL fuel economy. I'm a newb here and have had my Prius for about 48 hours... but I had an Insight a few years ago, so I'm familiar with what can affect fuel economy.

Short trips are killer, because the engine won't get to temperature, where it is the most efficient, and in our cars, will shut off when it is not needed.

Batteries also do not perform well in cold weather and need time to warm up.

I found that in the Insight, the optimal minimum drive distance was ~12 miles. That gave it enough time to warm up and regenerate enough so that the battery could assist. I have not yet become familiar enough with the Prius to tell anyone what the optimal minimum drive cycle is, but I'd wager a 6 mile drive is not enough.


Now I live ~23 miles from the office, mostly highway, so I'm hoping the Prius will do well on my commute.

[smartcargal]

this is great link..

[jjones811@hotmail.com]

I have been getting bad MPG since the 40,000 maintenance check and concommital tire replacement (Pirelli P4 88T tires if that makes a difference). It dropped from 53 MPG to about 46 MPG, Toyota dealership is saying I should have gotten their Michellin tires, and gone with their tire pressure recommendations. The tire store said type of tire doesn't matter, just as long as it is the same size. Toyota manufacturer recommendations (found on the door jam) recommend 35-33 tire pressure; Tucson, Az. dealership recommends 38-38, and the chat line recommendations for tire pressure are even higher.
Any recommendations?
Thanks- J. Jones

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by jjones811@hotmail.com

I have been getting bad MPG since the 40,000 maintenance check and concommital tire replacement (Pirelli P4 88T tires if that makes a difference). It dropped from 53 MPG to about 46 MPG, Toyota dealership is saying I should have gotten their Michellin tires, and gone with their tire pressure recommendations. The tire store said type of tire doesn't matter, just as long as it is the same size. Toyota manufacturer recommendations (found on the door jam) recommend 35-33 tire pressure; Tucson, Az. dealership recommends 38-38, and the chat line recommendations for tire pressure are even higher.
Any recommendations?
Thanks- J. Jones

38 all around is the start of getting better results, if the roads are smooth in your area I would try 44fr 42rear. Personally though I run about 50front 48rear on Goodyear TripleTreds in the slightly wider size and I have been hovering around 58 - 62 MPG. Expect about a 5 MPG loss though if you are needing to run the A/C as I expect you most likely do in AZ.

[VCAMPBELL]

Is it advisable to top-off your tank to achieve maximum MPG? I tried to do so the first time and some gas ended-up spilling out of the tank because of air bubbles.

[JimboPalmer]

From a emissions stand point, it is always bad (on any car) to 'top up' the tank beyond where the nozzle shuts down automatically. On a Gen II Prius it can 'throw codes' requiring dealer service. You can't possibly save time or money compared to not having to visit the dealer by not topping up.

I can think of no possible gas savings topping up, but spilling it is just bad for everyone.

(Was that strong enough without being harsh?)