2010 MPG Stats - Post Them Here

[dmvp]

Originally Posted by F8L

You'll do even better when you don't have to brake until the very end. I.E. glide further and only use the friction brakes during the last 5mph or so. Braking is what kills mpg.

Really? I guess I read wrong in the owner's manual.

I'll give it a try!

[F8L]

Originally Posted by dmvp

Really? I guess I read wrong in the owner's manual.

I'll give it a try!

The owners manuals can be confusing.

Do some searching in the GENII Economy forum and you find a wealth of information. Start with the "sticky" threads at the top first.

Generally speaking it is better to lift off the throttle sooner then glide to the stop sign than it is to stay on the throttle for longer and then have to use the brakes to slow down quickly. On country roads you can sometimes go almost a 1/4mile or more just gliding which uses no fuel OR battery power. Anytime you are using battery power means you will have to regnerate it and succumb to energy transfer losses. In your case by braking early to regen battery power you stayed on the throttle too long and thus you used fuel to generate the power for the battery and you had energy conversion losses. Gliding is your best friend.

[Husker4theSpurs]

As soon as you know you'll have to stop ... let off the accelerator and coast (or glide if you can manage that). I try and do so as often as possible while trying not to make people behind me mad, but it never fails how many times someone flies by me all mad for 1/2 block and we are stopped next to each other. I hate to sound smug but if everyone wasn't in such a hurry to get to red lights we'd all use a lot less fuel, hybrid or not.

I mean ... I get that sometimes we're in a hurry and not everyone wants to drive like I do and it does make a difference in getting somewhere sometimes, but MOST of the time it's someone flying by me for a red light 1/2 block ahead only to stop next to each other at the light.

I used to be that person, so what can I say?

[Husker4theSpurs]

Originally Posted by CenVal

Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated!!!!

No problem ... the Diners, Dives, and Drive Ins segment is on BrewBurgers website as well.

If you want any more info, just let me know.

If traveling with child(ren), Omaha's zoo is really great ... probably #1 or 2 in the nation.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by dmvp

I've never owned a hybrid, but I enjoy trying to maximize my FE. I'm driving like I usually do, but being a bit more conservative on the take-off...and braking sooner on stops.

By now I think you've gotten the message: Don't brake unless you HAVE to.

Originally Posted by F8L

You'll do even better when you don't have to brake until the very end. I.E. glide further and only use the friction brakes during the last 5mph or so. Braking is what kills mpg.

Yes: Glide and Glide Farther! Do NOT brake except to avoid accident or injury.

Originally Posted by F8L

Do some searching in the GENII Economy forum and you find a wealth of information. Start with the "sticky" threads at the top first.

Don't miss the stickies. They include a ton of very valuable information.

Originally Posted by F8L

Generally speaking it is better to lift off the throttle sooner then glide to the stop sign than it is to stay on the throttle for longer and then have to use the brakes to slow down quickly. . . Anytime you are using battery power means you will have to regnerate it and succumb to energy transfer losses. In your case by braking early to regen battery power you stayed on the throttle too long and thus you used fuel to generate the power for the battery and you had energy conversion losses. Gliding is your best friend.

This is the key thing to remember: The energy to propel your car has to come from somewhere. That somewhere is the horsepower provided by a fossil-fuel propelled engine!

Originally Posted by Husker4theSpurs

As soon as you know you'll have to stop ... let off the accelerator and coast (or glide if you can manage that). . . . if everyone wasn't in such a hurry to get to red lights we'd all use a lot less fuel, hybrid or not.

Here is where reading up on things will make a big difference. "Gliding" is not simply letting up on the accelerator and coasting to a stop. The "coast" is an artifice designed to decelerate the car much as any other car with an automatic transmission. The glide is something to be learned through practice. It allows the wheels to roll free from the incfluence of the ICE or the electric motors or the regenerative braking system.

Originally Posted by Husker4theSpurs

I used to be that person, so what can I say?

Ah Ha! So that was YOU!

Truly, that driver was each of us, at some point, probably. It doesn't hurt to be considerate of the people trying to get somewhere in a hurry. I'm not going to speed for them (at least too often), but I'll try to get out of the way!

[dmvp]

Hmmmm...so gliding is different than coasting.

Here is what I have been doing...

Approaching a 4-way stop. Let off the accelerator, coast awhile, ever so gently press on the brake so as to charge the battery more than while coasting, then when closer to the stop sign, depress the brake more to gently come to a complete stop.

I guess I figured that was gliding.

Comments?

[F8L]

Originally Posted by dmvp

Hmmmm...so gliding is different than coasting.

Here is what I have been doing...

Approaching a 4-way stop. Let off the accelerator, coast awhile, ever so gently press on the brake so as to charge the battery more than while coasting, then when closer to the stop sign, depress the brake more to gently come to a complete stop.

I guess I figured that was gliding.

Comments?

Aye, coasting is essentially letting off the gas pedal but not applying the brake. You will induce regenerative braking and this will slow you down and reduce your distance covered using no fuel or battery power.

Gliding is when you life off the gas pedal but reapply just enough pressure to stop regenderative braking but not enough to kick in EV mode or the ICE. You will know when you are effectively gliding because you will not see any arrows on your screen. There is very little friction in this mode and if road conditions permit and your tires are properly aired up you can glide for long distances using zero energy. Doing this can really bump up your average fuel economy if you practice it any chance you get. The only difficult part of this technique is that other drivers will come up behind you and ruin the whole thing. lol

[JonathanK]

I have not had the car a week yet, but it has been fun exploring that the Prius can do. I feel that I have a lot to learn.

So far I am getting about 45-50 MPG, driving around hilly Seattle, mostly in ECO mode, sometime with the A/C on.

I get the difference between coast and glide, but it seems harder to find the sweet spot on the gas pedal on my Gen III than it did when I test drove a Gen II. Aside from practice, any tips?

[LoveMyPriusIII]

Since first fill up the trip computer is showing 57.6mpg all in Eco mode. 3 days of me driving it was 57.4 but after two days of my wife driving she actually bumped that up to 57.6. This is really exciting to me getting more than EPA estimated. This car makes my Honda Fit a gas guzzler since it has only got 33mpg lifetime! Wow.

[Stats]

Originally Posted by LoveMyPriusIII

Since first fill up the trip computer is showing 57.6mpg all in Eco mode. 3 days of me driving it was 57.4 but after two days of my wife driving she actually bumped that up to 57.6. This is really exciting to me getting more than EPA estimated. This car makes my Honda Fit a gas guzzler since it has only got 33mpg lifetime! Wow.

I have the same problem. I watch the display fairly consistently and try to maximize my fuel economy- I'm at about 57.4 right now (granted I only have a few days of experience in the car- but I am getting a sense for when the ICE cuts in and what stage the hybrid system is in and such...). My wife, however, just drives the thing, and usually increases the mileage by a few tenths of an mpg.

Perhaps this is because she is lighter than I am....?