Prius economy sucks

[magruder]

Originally Posted by efusco

I can average 60mpg on the 5 mile run to my kids' daycare easily...even in winter if I use my EBH. And there are no less than 4 stops and up to 7 depending upon the time and traffic.

What is EBH?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by efusco

I can average 60mpg on the 5 mile run to my kids' daycare easily...even in winter if I use my EBH. And there are no less than 4 stops and up to 7 depending upon the time and traffic.

Good point. If the engine is already hot, then you don't pay the heating penalty for short trips.

Tom

[magruder]

Originally Posted by magruder

What is EBH?

Engine Block Heater

[fuzzy1]

Originally Posted by V8KILLER

I have lately been averaging about 22 mpg, (far worse than my Camaro) ...

If you can't quit using the Prius to tow the Camaro, then at least put some air into the Camaro's tires.

[cycledrum]

I get pissed if my MFD average drops to 46 MPG, which rarely happens.

[patsparks]

a 6 mile commute is fantastic for low fuel consumption, much better than 20 miles. Lets do some maths.
6 miles each way is 12 miles a day, over a fortnight that is 120 miles at 33mpg
20 miles each way is 40 miles a day, over a fortnight that's 400 miles. I get 4.4L/100km
120/33 = 3.636 gallons of gas
400 miles = 644 kilometres, @ 4.4L/100km = 28.34 litres of petrol
3.636 gallons of gas = 13.76 litres of petrol
Fuel saved with a 6 mile commute rather than a 20 mile commute = 14.58 litres or better than half!

how good is that?

Oh, my 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres is not in silly freezing conditions.
I deliberately mixed up the units, don't like it? then convince your government to convert to metric, the global system.

[wicastawakan]

I drive 7.1 miles one way to work daily. Often into a southern prevailing wind. Always lots of hills & have to stop at a minimum of two stop signs, more often if I meet traffic. The full 7 miles is hilly.

I have put on wider tires (decreased mileage probable). I don't hypermile, have a scan guage, do any gliding or slip sliding away. I just drive & usually slightly above posted speed limit. However, I do have good driving habits & not a run & gun guy either.

Over appx 8,000 miles I am averaging 50+ mpg. With the wind, cold weather & hills, I'm happy with that. The weather is warming here & the last 1,000 miles I am averaging 51 mpg. I live in the country & drive appx. 80/20 split on miles, 80% highway & 20% city. My worst full tank was with brand new tires, miserable crosswind, winter & significant hills. Lexington, OK to Muskogee, OK for those familiar with the terrain. It was like 48 mpg.

Some cars of the same make/specs just simply do better than others. But the drivers themselves can really make quite a difference. Like I said, I just try to drive reasonably prudent & it works for me. I'm happy with my mileage for the most part. Others may need to work at it a bit to improve their driving style & mileage. I'm not suggesting anyone doesn't know how to drive. I am saying some vehicles & drivers get better mileage than others.

[pickjs]

Originally Posted by patsparks

a 6 mile commute is fantastic for low fuel consumption, much better than 20 miles. Lets do some maths.
6 miles each way is 12 miles a day, over a fortnight that is 120 miles at 33mpg
20 miles each way is 40 miles a day, over a fortnight that's 400 miles. I get 4.4L/100km
120/33 = 3.636 gallons of gas
400 miles = 644 kilometres, @ 4.4L/100km = 28.34 litres of petrol
3.636 gallons of gas = 13.76 litres of petrol
Fuel saved with a 6 mile commute rather than a 20 mile commute = 14.58 litres or better than half!

how good is that?

Oh, my 4.4 litres per 100 kilometres is not in silly freezing conditions.
I deliberately mixed up the units, don't like it? then convince your government to convert to metric, the global system.

thanks for the quick calculations. to assist, i am actually getting 7.1 L / 100 kms. i converted as it appeared the majority of the posts from the US. i am driving the car in Calgary and commute is approx 10 kms each way.

[danl]

Originally Posted by patsparks

6 miles each way is 12 miles a day, over a fortnight that is 120 miles at 33mpg

Yeah but 6 miles at 45mpg (min EPA for the Prius) would be 10.09L, an additional savings of 3.67, an additional 27% savings. The fact of the matter is that cold weather combined with short trips is basically the key weakness of the Prius.

I don't think anyone here in their right mind would suggest that pickjs artificially extend his commute to 20 miles LOL.

EBH would help, grill blocking too. I'd just wait for the coming summer months and see how mileage improves.

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by danl

<snip>
I don't think anyone here in their right mind would suggest that pickjs artificially extend his commute to 20 miles LOL.
<snip>

Which was Pat's point exactly. A short trip is a good thing, even if it doesn't produce great mileage.

My commute to work is exactly zero, so my commuting mileage is either zero or infinite - one of those darned indeterminate points. Either way it is a good thing.

Tom