60mpg in Chicago weather!!

Tree Hugger · 02-17-2008, 01:18 PM

I'm well on my way to getting a 60+ mpg tank!!

I can't believe this! Since I've been driving this car I've been averaging high 30s or low 40s at BEST. The best mpg I ever had was on the highway from my house to Chicago, where thanks to a lot of stop and go traffic, I was able to get it up to 50mpg average, but only for ~30 miles.

Well I put an air block on the front of the car, inflating the tires to 45psi, and made a set of aerodynamic wheel covers, so I decided to test them out. I was driving around yesterday, and had a 67mpg average when I got to my girlfriend's house

Then with her in the car (I didn't want to make her experience TOO much fun with the way I drive

) after about 40 miles or so, I was averaging 62.5mpg. And if I needed another reason to realize how rediculously some people out there drive, I had to follow her sister's boyfriend out to a resturant we were going to, and following him killed my mileage (went down to ~52mpg

) After coming back home this morning I was able to get it back up to 57mpg average. So I'm very confident with not having to follow anyone any time soon, I'll be able to keep it up into the 60s for the rest of the winter... I don't even want to know what I'll be getting when it gets nice out

Anyways, my girlfriend kept on telling me how excited I was yesterday, and what a great mood I was in. I must say I blame it on the mileage and going to the Farmer's Market. Oh, that's another great story, but that one I'll save for another day.

donee · 02-17-2008, 04:18 PM

Hi Treehugger,

Congradulations. I was at 53.0 mpg when I finished the work week driving on friday. And the weekend errands dropped me down to 49.8. Lots of short trips, no cruising. I did put in 100 mpg bars though. After the oil change I went out to a grocery store across town. After a quick warmup (I ran the car around to get the oil warm before the change), the car was in full hybrid mode, and with a slight down hill route, and one stop sign, I was in glide for about 3 miles.

Most of the change was probably the grill blocking. The hub caps are probably contributing a little though. And, you probably wont have to do the neutral brake routine tomorrow morning after all the rain today. As there will be little rust on your rotors.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 02-17-2008, 05:16 PM

That would be most excellent if you can beat 60+MPG so early in the year. This should be the first year where I keep it above 50MPG through the winter.

I use 20F as my tipping point. Above that temp I can usually get commutes averaging mileage above 55MPG. Below that and there's little/no hope.

Last year, I had twelve tanks at 60+ with six at 65+ and this year I'm hoping to improve on that. I would like to achieve my first 60+ tank in late March or April rather than May, like last year.

PRIUS007 · 02-17-2008, 05:49 PM

That's great. I went out for a rainy Sunday drive today just to get out of the house, drove 43 miles and it indicated 51.2MPG.

It was really windy out today and I could feel it as I was driving into the wind. I'm also really thinking there is something to this grill blocking. I've been thinking of doing this for a while now...

JimN · 02-17-2008, 06:02 PM

Tree Hugger, congratulations. Get a GPS unit so you won't have to follow anyone. I'm averaging 51+ mpg this winter with the grill blocked.

diamondlarry · 02-17-2008, 06:08 PM

Yesterday, I went from Elkhart, IN to Oak Creek, WI and averaged 65.4 on the trip up and, thanks to the "parking lot effect"

of Chicago on the way back, I had 69.5. Temps going up ranged from 9F to a low of 5F in the Wadsworth area. On the way back I had a headwind and temps were 36F when I started and dropped to 25F by the time I got home.

Michgal007 · 02-17-2008, 06:41 PM

Sigh. I am getting 30 mpg (short trips, winter).

Spectra · 02-18-2008, 03:10 PM

TreeHugger, can you describe the aerodynamic wheel covers?

donee · 02-18-2008, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spectra

TreeHugger, can you describe the aerodynamic wheel covers?

Hi Spectra,

'hugger is talking about the sheet metal add-ons to the trim rings I came up with. Here is a link: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-mo...rim-rings.html

Spectra · 02-18-2008, 09:32 PM

Thanks !

02-17-2008, 01:18 PM	#1
Tree Hugger Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL, USA Posts: 78 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	60mpg in Chicago weather!! I'm well on my way to getting a 60+ mpg tank!! I can't believe this! Since I've been driving this car I've been averaging high 30s or low 40s at BEST. The best mpg I ever had was on the highway from my house to Chicago, where thanks to a lot of stop and go traffic, I was able to get it up to 50mpg average, but only for ~30 miles. Well I put an air block on the front of the car, inflating the tires to 45psi, and made a set of aerodynamic wheel covers, so I decided to test them out. I was driving around yesterday, and had a 67mpg average when I got to my girlfriend's house Then with her in the car (I didn't want to make her experience TOO much fun with the way I drive) after about 40 miles or so, I was averaging 62.5mpg. And if I needed another reason to realize how rediculously some people out there drive, I had to follow her sister's boyfriend out to a resturant we were going to, and following him killed my mileage (went down to ~52mpg ) After coming back home this morning I was able to get it back up to 57mpg average. So I'm very confident with not having to follow anyone any time soon, I'll be able to keep it up into the 60s for the rest of the winter... I don't even want to know what I'll be getting when it gets nice out Anyways, my girlfriend kept on telling me how excited I was yesterday, and what a great mood I was in. I must say I blame it on the mileage and going to the Farmer's Market. Oh, that's another great story, but that one I'll save for another day.

02-17-2008, 04:18 PM	#2
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,244 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 2 Thanked 54 Times in 47 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! Hi Treehugger, Congradulations. I was at 53.0 mpg when I finished the work week driving on friday. And the weekend errands dropped me down to 49.8. Lots of short trips, no cruising. I did put in 100 mpg bars though. After the oil change I went out to a grocery store across town. After a quick warmup (I ran the car around to get the oil warm before the change), the car was in full hybrid mode, and with a slight down hill route, and one stop sign, I was in glide for about 3 miles. Most of the change was probably the grill blocking. The hub caps are probably contributing a little though. And, you probably wont have to do the neutral brake routine tomorrow morning after all the rain today. As there will be little rust on your rotors.

02-17-2008, 05:16 PM	#3
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,500 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! That would be most excellent if you can beat 60+MPG so early in the year. This should be the first year where I keep it above 50MPG through the winter. I use 20F as my tipping point. Above that temp I can usually get commutes averaging mileage above 55MPG. Below that and there's little/no hope. Last year, I had twelve tanks at 60+ with six at 65+ and this year I'm hoping to improve on that. I would like to achieve my first 60+ tank in late March or April rather than May, like last year. __________________ Proud father of Priapus: the '04 Tideland BC9 with an OEM EV button and sense of self-righteousness Current Mileage Chicago Prius Group Website Chicago Hybrid Group on FaceBook Find me on faceBook

02-17-2008, 05:49 PM	#4
PRIUS007 James Bond -007 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mundelein, Illinois Posts: 80 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! That's great. I went out for a rainy Sunday drive today just to get out of the house, drove 43 miles and it indicated 51.2MPG. It was really windy out today and I could feel it as I was driving into the wind. I'm also really thinking there is something to this grill blocking. I've been thinking of doing this for a while now...

02-17-2008, 06:02 PM	#5
JimN P719 of ??? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,702 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 30 Times in 28 Posts Friends: 2	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! Tree Hugger, congratulations. Get a GPS unit so you won't have to follow anyone. I'm averaging 51+ mpg this winter with the grill blocked.

02-17-2008, 06:08 PM	#6
diamondlarry EPA MPG #'s killer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 560 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 1 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 6	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! Yesterday, I went from Elkhart, IN to Oak Creek, WI and averaged 65.4 on the trip up and, thanks to the "parking lot effect" of Chicago on the way back, I had 69.5. Temps going up ranged from 9F to a low of 5F in the Wadsworth area. On the way back I had a headwind and temps were 36F when I started and dropped to 25F by the time I got home.

02-17-2008, 06:41 PM	#7
Michgal007 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 832 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 3	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! Sigh. I am getting 30 mpg (short trips, winter).

02-18-2008, 03:10 PM	#8
Spectra Amphi-Prius Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: S NJ Posts: 2,933 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 5	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! TreeHugger, can you describe the aerodynamic wheel covers?

02-18-2008, 09:32 PM	#10
Spectra Amphi-Prius Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: S NJ Posts: 2,933 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 22 Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 5	Re: 60mpg in Chicago weather!! Thanks !