Is driving for maximum mpg worth the trouble?

[MSantos]

Originally Posted by WPWoodJr

Here is an article on the limits of mpg improvement:
Driving for maximum mpg - worth the trouble?

There's little benefit over about 35mpg.

If you read further down to older entries in his blog, you'll soon discover why (in part) he is questioning the pursuit of MPG.
His technique and understanding of high MPG still has a ways to go particularly regarding the use of EV and the frustration and resulting doubt is almost inevitable

Cheers;

[yogadoc]

Originally Posted by WPWoodJr

Here is an article on the limits of mpg improvement:
Driving for maximum mpg - worth the trouble?

There's little benefit over about 35mpg.

My STi got ~20 MPG. My Prius V so far is getting ~65 MPG. Going more than 3 times as far on the same amount of gas (and not needing to pay extra for premium gas) is certainly worth the effort to me. Comparing that to going from 20MPG to 35MPG, I'm not sure i understand the OP's point.

[a priori]

Take a look at the change from 5MPGs to 10MPGs, and THEN you'll see a difference that turns your head!

Seriously, there is a gain to be made whenever you improve mileage. When you ask whether it is worth the effort, then you are beginning to consider all of the other cost/benefit issues of life. Is it worth it to drive 5 mph faster? Clearly, going faster makes accidents more dangerous to all involved, so is it a good idea? Going faster than the speed limit not only is more dangerous, but it could be more costly in terms of speeding tickets.

I'm taking a more personal and practical look at it. I drive about 15,000 miles per year. If I get 35MPG, then it costs me $1,200 (at $2.80 per gallon). My 2007 Prius was getting me around 54MPG on a rolling 12-month basis, though lifetime was just above 52MPG. If I call that 50MPG, then I spent $840 per year on gas, saving myself $360 -- every year! That was enough to cover oil changes and new tires. Just think of the appeal of "free maintenance" when purchasing a new car!

I think my 2010 is going to be more of a 55MPG car (I have the Prius V, so the mileage won't be as high as the other Prius models). The move from 50MPG to 55MPG is "only" $76 per year, but it is still $76. Of course, when I compare it to 35MPG, I've saved $436 each year, and now I can start getting "free" mods on the car like window tint.

What does it cost me? I've spent some time reading PriusChat to learn about driving techniques, and I've spent a lot of time on the road learning to use them. I don't compromise safety, and I take advantage of the amenities available to me in the Prius V w/ ATP. My last trip of 840+ miles with 4 people in 90 degree heat, using cruise control and A/C on Auto, and driving on highways at posted speeds and (slightly) higher, produced a round-trip FE of 52.7MPG.

If I had been alone on that trip, I probably would have driven a bit differently, and it would have increased my gas mileage, but the real saver would have been the weight differential. I've done similar trips on my own, recently, and my FE has been as high as 58.8 for 441 miles. That still is using all of the amenities and driving at between 55 and 75mph. There is nothing wrong with saving a bit of money.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by yogadoc

My STi got ~20 MPG. My Prius V so far is getting ~65 MPG. Going more than 3 times as far on the same amount of gas (and not needing to pay extra for premium gas) is certainly worth the effort to me. Comparing that to going from 20MPG to 35MPG, I'm not sure i understand the OP's point.

The Author of the thread was refering to driving two different ways in the same car, in this case the FFH. If he choses to drive it normally he can get 35mpg. If he choses to drive for efficiency he can get 45mpg. According to the math in savings in MPG vs. effort he felt that driving normal and getting 35mpg was good enough for him.

Because it was on an FFH blog I have a sneaking suspicion that this was aimed a bit towards the Prius as well. Meaning 35mpg is good enough so why bother with 50mpg. I could be wrong though.

[yogadoc]

Originally Posted by F8L

The Author of the thread was refering to driving two different ways in the same car, in this case the FFH. If he choses to drive it normally he can get 35mpg. If he choses to drive for efficiency he can get 45mpg. According to the math in savings in MPG vs. effort he felt that driving normal and getting 35mpg was good enough for him.

Because it was on an FFH blog I have a sneaking suspicion that this was aimed a bit towards the Prius as well. Meaning 35mpg is good enough so why bother with 50mpg. I could be wrong though.

From the NY times review of the Fusion hybrid:

"Without all the budget-busting extras, Ford notes that the Hybrid costs about $3,300 more than a comparable gasoline model, the 4-cylinder Fusion SEL. Consider not only the price but the economy, too. The gas-only Fusion also gets impressive mileage; the Fusion S’s 34 m.p.g. highway rating is just 2 m.p.g. less than the hybrid."

If you are only going to get 35 mpg, why get the hybrid instead of the SEL?

[mdeguzman0916]

I have a 2005 prius right now and im thinking of trading it in for the 2010 later probably next year but for now im stiicking to this one. so far i have read nice reviews about the 2010 and getting about 65 mpg or so for their car. on my 2005, im only getting 40-47 mpg tops. how do u go for the maximum mpg? is it by the way you drive? basically i drive 46 miles back ad forth everyday. I want a better mileage. i also heard about the pulse plug. i was thinking of getting one for my car and also the fuel saver thats being sold on skymall. any thoughts?

[a priori]

Originally Posted by mdeguzman0916

I have a 2005 prius right now and im thinking of trading it in for the 2010 later probably next year but for now im stiicking to this one. so far i have read nice reviews about the 2010 and getting about 65 mpg or so for their car. on my 2005, im only getting 40-47 mpg tops. how do u go for the maximum mpg? is it by the way you drive? basically i drive 46 miles back ad forth everyday. I want a better mileage. i also heard about the pulse plug. i was thinking of getting one for my car and also the fuel saver thats being sold on skymall. any thoughts?

Welcome to PriusChat!!

Go to the Forums and look for the "Newbie" forum. The "sticky" threads listed at the top are the ones to read first, particularly this one: What every newb should know .

For learning about improving the mileage on your 2005, also look in the Gen II Prius Fuel Economy forum. The starting "sticky" in that forum is the essential: New owner? Want MPG help? Read this first.

Hope this helps you!!

[F8L]

Originally Posted by yogadoc

From the NY times review of the Fusion hybrid:

"Without all the budget-busting extras, Ford notes that the Hybrid costs about $3,300 more than a comparable gasoline model, the 4-cylinder Fusion SEL. Consider not only the price but the economy, too. The gas-only Fusion also gets impressive mileage; the Fusion S’s 34 m.p.g. highway rating is just 2 m.p.g. less than the hybrid."

If you are only going to get 35 mpg, why get the hybrid instead of the SEL?

Like most vehicles maybe the city driving MPG is really horrid? This would drive your average way down. Most hybrids keep the variable MPG between city and highway very tight and once you start dropping below 30mpg the money spent on fuel increases dramatically. So in the case of the Ford Fusion vs. the Ford Fusion hybrid, there is considerable cause to warrant buying the hybrid. The average MPG is approx. 12mpg higher on the hybrid than on the non-hybrid.

2010 Ford Fusion S FWD
Find a Car

Fuel Economy

Learn more about EPA's new MPG estimates!

Fuel Type

Regular

MPG (city)

23

MPG (highway)

34

MPG (combined)

27


Fuel Economics

Cost to Drive 25 Miles

$2.26

Fuel to Drive 25 Miles

0.93 gal

Annual Fuel Cost

$1354

* Based on 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of 2.44 per gallon.

Fill-up cost and the distance you can travel on a tank are calculated based on the combined MPG and the assumption that you will re-fuel when your tank is 10% full.

Climate Change

Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions*

Worst

Best

16.2

3.5

6.80 tons

Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NA


Air Pollution

EPA Air Pollution Rating

NA

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid FWD
Find a Car

Fuel Economy

Learn more about EPA's new MPG estimates!

Fuel Type

Regular

MPG (city)

41

MPG (highway)

36

MPG (combined)

39

Fuel Economics

Cost to Drive 25 Miles

$1.56

Fuel to Drive 25 Miles

0.64 gal

Annual Fuel Cost

$937

* Based on 15000 annual miles and a fuel price of 2.44 per gallon.


Fill-up cost and the distance you can travel on a tank are calculated based on the combined MPG and the assumption that you will re-fuel when your tank is 10% full.

Climate Change

Annual Greenhouse Gas Emissions*

Worst

Best

16.2

3.5

4.70 tons

Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

NA

Air Pollution

EPA Air Pollution Rating

NA

[Matt Herring]

Originally Posted by F8L

The Author of the thread was refering to driving two different ways in the same car, in this case the FFH. If he choses to drive it normally he can get 35mpg. If he choses to drive for efficiency he can get 45mpg. According to the math in savings in MPG vs. effort he felt that driving normal and getting 35mpg was good enough for him.

Because it was on an FFH blog I have a sneaking suspicion that this was aimed a bit towards the Prius as well. Meaning 35mpg is good enough so why bother with 50mpg. I could be wrong though.

I also question the OP's motivation for the post but I'll take it at face value. If you find no positive outcome (either in your pocket or with the environment) for getting 10-15 mpg higher just by driving your car differently then continue to get 35 mpg and be happy.

I could see if the gained mpg came at some cost (either financially or physically) but until I have to pay an extra cost for mpg's or have to do some strenuous activity to make it happen I'll keep hypermiling with a smile on my face. Driving is easy, hypermiling is 1% more effort. I'll take that effort vs. production any day!

[a priori]

F8L: I don't disagree with you. You must look at how you will drive the two cars when making comparisons. What yogadoc was pointing out, however, was the fuel economy already available through the "S" model, and if you are doing mainly highway driving, the difference, for the cost, makes for an interesting comparison.

(Edited to remove more info about the 2010 "S" I though F8L hadn't included!)