Do drivers on the highway hate you?

[HooptyPrius]

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to these forums, but I've gained a wealth of information over the past week or so.

I have an 07 base model Prius with approximately 25,000 miles on the odometer. When I first got the car, I was not accustomed to the hybrid driving style and noticed immediately that driving at 80 mph was killing my mpg. I have since gotten the lead removed from my right foot, but I still find myself driving at 65 mph+ on the freeway. I live in San Diego and it seems like if you drive any slower than 65 mph, you get numerous "death stares" from other drivers (even if you are in the slow lane). I am perplexed by the number of people on these forums who have insanely high mpg numbers from their cars.

For the first year that I had my car, I was averaging approximately 47.5 mpg. I thought this was a pretty decent average until I started perusing these forums.

In the past three or four months I have seen a 10% reduction in my mpg. I can't quite figure out if this has to do with my driving style or if it is the result of some mechanical malfunction with the car. I live in a relatively hilly area, but I have been making the exact same drive for the past 14 months so I don't get how my mileage could suddenly drop 10%.

A few questions:
Do you ever feel like you are impeding the flow of traffic by driving under the speed limit?

Are the "death stares" unique to the county of San Diego?

Is 43-44 mpg reasonable for someone who drives at 70 mph for a 20 mile round trip on a daily basis?

How are other people driving at 70 mph and averaging 50+ mpg?

[KK6PD]

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

Hi everyone,

I'm relatively new to these forums, but I've gained a wealth of information over the past week or so.

Well, welcome to the group, you will learn a wealth of information!!

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

I live in San Diego and it seems like if you drive any slower than 65 mph, you get numerous "death stares" from other drivers (even if you are in the slow lane).

Screw 'em, that's what the slow lane is for.
Hate them back, works for me!!!

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

For the first year that I had my car, I was averaging approximately 47.5 mpg. I thought this was a pretty decent average until I started perusing these forums.

In the past three or four months I have seen a 10% reduction in my mpg. I can't quite figure out if this has to do with my driving style or if it is the result of some mechanical malfunction with the car. I live in a relatively hilly area, but I have been making the exact same drive for the past 14 months so I don't get how my mileage could suddenly drop 10%.

It is dependant upon, 1 - Outside air temp, 2 - Ethanol based fuel, 3 - Hills, I drive up and down a large one every day, I avg 45/56 MPG.... That's the way it is!!!

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

A few questions:
Do you ever feel like you are impeding the flow of traffic by driving under the speed limit?.

If I were in the #1 lane, well yes I am going too slow! I stay in 2 or 3, mainly 3. That way the knuckleheads have 1 and 2 to pass me. Lane 4 should be for merging with onramps....stay out of it unless you are leaving the Freeway.

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

Are the "death stares" unique to the county of San Diego??.

NO, there are Assholes EVERYWHERE!!!!

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

Is 43-44 mpg reasonable for someone who drives at 70 mph for a 20 mile round trip on a daily basis?

You could "lighten up on the throttle a wee bit and get a little more, but considering the hills, you are porbably doing the best you can!!!
I have the same results.

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

How are other people driving at 70 mph and averaging 50+ mpg?

NO HILLS..... I find without the "Hill Thing" I can get above 50, but I have to work at it!!!

Your doing things right, just add a little refinement to your Acceleration, Pulse & Glide, and Hypermiling techniques, and you will see some improvement!!!
Good Luck!!

[bac]

Originally Posted by HooptyPrius

A few questions:
Do you ever feel like you are impeding the flow of traffic by driving under the speed limit?

I don't drive under the speed limit. Why would/are you?

... Brad

[sdtundra]

Hey, I drive 65 on the freeway and get 52mpg constantly. I do get people staring and what not but I also get that while i'm in the "work truck" (2007 E350 Ambulance). When we're not on a call, we do 65 all the time because of the benefits of lower gas consumption. If we get on a call, I'm in the fast lane doin 70-75, anything over just doesnt feel stable in high winds.

[Codyroo]

Welcome Hoopty!

I drive 55 mph on the freeway, if you really want death stares (and other fun hand gestures) try that speed for awhile. From the sounds of it, Brad won't be joining me in the slow lane anytime soon.

As more and more cars implement an instant MPG reader (and as fuel costs rise), you will eventually find more people slowing down as they realize what you've been finding out, speed kills your MPG's.

A couple of things to consider with your decrease in MPG's.

1) Colder weather - it will take your car longer to heat up (the sooner it heats up, the sooner it reaches its peak performance - i.e. best MPG's). If it is colder, you will use the heater and this takes heat from the engine, causing it to run more often.

2) Winter Blend gas comes in around November and leaves in April/May. It has a higher Butane (I think) content, and has less energy. It alone can account for a 7-10% drop in MPG's.

3) Tire pressure, check your tire pressures. Most folks who strive for great MPG will fill up to the maximum in the front and 2 less PSI in the rear (thus 44/42 psi or 42/40 psi). You might notice a harsher ride, you might not. It is safer to have higher tire pressure too!

4) Changing to a new set of tires will decrease your MPG's as the tires break in.

As for your other questions....

Impeding flow? I'm sure 99.9% of the drivers around me think so. However, I will point out that the MAXIMUM speed limit is 65 mph (unless on hwy 5 or others that allow 70 mph in non urban areas) for cars and 55 mph for trucks (at all times). I drive 55 mph. People think it is unsafe for me to drive that "slow". I point out that they should account for a certain percentage of vehicles to drive that speed (i.e. ALL trucks and cars pulling trailers), even if that percentage is small (2-3%). Yes, people whiz by me, give me death stares, give me "hand gestures", but not one has ever given me gas money....*grin* Stick in the right lane, they don't have a reason to be mad at you, you are in the "slow" lane for a reason.

Death stares are everywhere.

BTW my MPG's went from 31 mpg when I drove 70+ mph on the freeway to 38 mpg when I slowed down to 55 mph. I'm less stressed and never fear a speeding ticket. There is a testosterone robbing effect at 55 mph (just a warning). I don't see why anyone should give you grief for going 65 mph.

[2009Prius]

Welcome to PriusChat!

Here is a related thread:

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-ma...lied-road.html

[zcat3]

You're going 65 in the slow lane on a 65 MPH road and people are giving you death stares? On my commute to and from San Francisco each day I drive a very hilly and often windy route and my speed goes from 45 in a posted 45, to 55 - 60 in a posted 55, to 55 - 75 in a posted 65, and then to a crawl (speed limit irrelevant) as I get close to exiting into SF. When I first started driving the Prius last May I noticed several people being aggressive around me - i.e. tailgating me in the fast lane when I am going 75 and there is a long line of cars in front of me going the same speed. After a few months I stopped noticing it. One change I have made is that I try to be as courteous as I can to the other drivers out there. I know that on portions of my commute I will be going slower than the norm, so I make it a habit to be in the slow lane at those times.

On the ocassion where someone tailgates me and they have an opportunity to get by me in the next lane, I employ the method I learned while doing high peformance driver's training at the race track: if there is a faster car behind you, slow down and point them by (literally point your finger out the window and wave them by). Most people get the idea and seem surprised you are helping them get around you.

[Dozzer]

Here in the UK it's the arsehole brigade who drive BMW's, Audis and Mercs..
You could be doing 95 and you can guarantee that one will pull up right behind you itching to get passed.

I just got a new job that means I drive 102 miles a day on the "freeway" and at 75mph I get around 55mpg and at around 53mpg I get 57mpg - I had 75mpg at one time.. but can't remember the journey details! I use the cruise control nearly all the time.
The difference in speed means I only make up/lose about 5 mins on the journey.

[crayola]

I was in the fast lane on I-5 heading towards LA and I got bumped or pushed from behind by a semi-truck. I was on cruise control going about 70mph and I assumed that I wasn't going fast enough for him to overtake the other trucks next to him. I let him pass and called in highway patrol with the plate number. I followed him for about 15 mins till a patrol car caught up with us. I told the cop since I can't bump him back with my car can I at least bump him on the head.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by bac

I don't drive under the speed limit. Why would/are you?

... Brad

Because the law says you must not exceed the speed limit, it isn't the minimum.

When I'm driving on cruise control I accelerate a little before I hit a rise and hold the accelerator until the cruise takes over again, this helps to smooth things out as far as fuel consumption goes. The cruise still does most of the work. If you can hit the top of the hill just as the cruise control takes over without moving your foot you did it perfectly.

Have fun, ignore the speeders.