I'm Impessed!

Mystic · 08-28-2009, 09:30 PM

So here's the deal. I had to pick up my in laws at the airport today. I'm in central Jersey and they were flying into JFK this afternoon. Anyone familiar with the area knows that trying to get from Jersey to JFK and back on a rainy Friday afternoon is not fun. I filled up my tank last night and reset trip A.

Traffic was real heavy and I had to keep pretty close to the car in front of me because in NYC, if other drivers can gain a millimeter by cutting you off, they would. I tried to pay close attention to traffic well ahead of me so I could stick on the car in front of me while still doing as much gliding as possible. That technique worked because I kept seeing my MPG's rising. I parked at JFK averaging 61.4 mpg for the trip out there. I was pretty proud of that number but figured that with my in laws and their luggage in the car, the return trip would be much worse. I was absolutely shocked, after getting home my round trip average bumped up to 62.7 mpg

I've only had the Prius for three weeks, so me and the car are still breaking in. My first tank had a calculated 51 mpg. My second tank had a calculated 54.5 mpg. It just seems to be getting better and better

Michael

**Tideland Prius** · 08-28-2009, 10:02 PM

Sweet!! Nice to know that more and more people are able to get these high figures!

usbseawolf2000 · 08-28-2009, 10:39 PM

Way to go! That's the kind of fun that some gear heads will never learn to enjoy.

In Prius, you may waste time in traffic but not gas.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 08-28-2009, 11:05 PM

I went to a Cubs game a few days ago. Driving into the city after work requires a full tank and a lot of patience. That is, if you're in a conventional car.

You see, a few weeks ago I made the same trip and my mileage went up because I was able to glide and stealth for long distances as traffic slowly moved along.

But this week a coworker drove in his Jeep Liberty. The trip was something like 35 miles one way, 70 miles 'round trip. He averaged 18 mpg. We two passengers, chipped in $5 apiece for gas. I know it's too much but it was worth it to have someone else drive. But wow! It took almost four gallons and cost almost ten dollars just to get downtown and back. That same trip would have cost me about a gallon and a quarter.

angelrob · 08-29-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

It took almost four gallons and cost almost ten dollars just to get downtown and back. That same trip would have cost me about a gallon and a quarter.

I figured out that it's taking me less than a gallon a day to get to work (52 miles RT). It used to take just under 3/day. Loving it!

ALS · 08-29-2009, 11:05 AM

Averaging 50 mpg and work is 3 miles away. It is costing me .17 to go to work and .17 cents to go home each day. .35 round trip.

My old car was .87 per round trip.

How I love this car.

anne1965 · 08-30-2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic

Traffic was real heavy and I had to keep pretty close to the car in front of me...

Nothing beats heavy, slow moving traffic for high mileage.

brick · 08-30-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Way to go! That's the kind of fun that some gear heads will never learn to enjoy.

I think my wife put it to me best yesterday: She said "Having a car like this cures you." She meant, once you experience the unique thrill of stellar fuel economy one tends to realize the folly of gearheadedness. And if this woman can be brought over from the dark side, I think anyone can!

Mystic · 08-30-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anne1965

Nothing beats heavy, slow moving traffic for high mileage.

The "fun" part of NYC driving on the highways is that traffic can be very heavy yet still move at 60 mph. If you leave a "safe" gap between you and the car in front people just keep cutting in. This forces somewhat aggressive driving where you have to stay close to the car in front.

BTW, I'm still a little above 60 mpg for the tank (according to the display). I'm hoping to keep it above 60 for the rest of the tank

But with my kids starting school this week it means I'll have a lot of short trips starting with a cold engine

Michael

djasonw · 08-30-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystic

The "fun" part of NYC driving on the highways is that traffic can be very heavy yet still move at 60 mph. If you leave a "safe" gap between you and the car in front people just keep cutting in. This forces somewhat aggressive driving where you have to stay close to the car in front.

BTW, I'm still a little above 60 mpg for the tank (according to the display). I'm hoping to keep it above 60 for the rest of the tank

But with my kids starting school this week it means I'll have a lot of short trips starting with a cold engine

Michael

I couldn't agree with you more. I know you traveled on the Belt Parkway and if you leave more than three feet in front of you, you will get cut off, no questions asked. That causes you to have to brake and then it is a perpetual problem if you even try to keep a safe distance. This is what you have to deal with in NY. AND,,, if you use your blinker, be prepared for the person that you wish to move in front of to speed up. That's why I don't use my signals anymore. Only time I use them is for off ramps and turning left or right. Lane changes are a free for all on NY highways. Jersey is bad too. Ironically I think they are worse than NYers. However, I don't want to start a state border war here.

08-28-2009, 09:30 PM	#1
Mystic Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Jersey Posts: 26 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Friends: 0	I'm Impessed! So here's the deal. I had to pick up my in laws at the airport today. I'm in central Jersey and they were flying into JFK this afternoon. Anyone familiar with the area knows that trying to get from Jersey to JFK and back on a rainy Friday afternoon is not fun. I filled up my tank last night and reset trip A. Traffic was real heavy and I had to keep pretty close to the car in front of me because in NYC, if other drivers can gain a millimeter by cutting you off, they would. I tried to pay close attention to traffic well ahead of me so I could stick on the car in front of me while still doing as much gliding as possible. That technique worked because I kept seeing my MPG's rising. I parked at JFK averaging 61.4 mpg for the trip out there. I was pretty proud of that number but figured that with my in laws and their luggage in the car, the return trip would be much worse. I was absolutely shocked, after getting home my round trip average bumped up to 62.7 mpg I've only had the Prius for three weeks, so me and the car are still breaking in. My first tank had a calculated 51 mpg. My second tank had a calculated 54.5 mpg. It just seems to be getting better and better Michael

08-28-2009, 10:02 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	Re: I'm Impessed! Sweet!! Nice to know that more and more people are able to get these high figures!

08-28-2009, 10:39 PM	#3
usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 3,254 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 106 Thanked 178 Times in 111 Posts Friends: 59	Re: I'm Impessed! Way to go! That's the kind of fun that some gear heads will never learn to enjoy. In Prius, you may waste time in traffic but not gas.

08-28-2009, 11:05 PM	#4
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 168 Times in 109 Posts Friends: 23	Re: I'm Impessed! I went to a Cubs game a few days ago. Driving into the city after work requires a full tank and a lot of patience. That is, if you're in a conventional car. You see, a few weeks ago I made the same trip and my mileage went up because I was able to glide and stealth for long distances as traffic slowly moved along. But this week a coworker drove in his Jeep Liberty. The trip was something like 35 miles one way, 70 miles 'round trip. He averaged 18 mpg. We two passengers, chipped in $5 apiece for gas. I know it's too much but it was worth it to have someone else drive. But wow! It took almost four gallons and cost almost ten dollars just to get downtown and back. That same trip would have cost me about a gallon and a quarter. __________________ 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

08-29-2009, 11:05 AM	#6
ALS Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 218 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: No Package Thanks: 6 Thanked 25 Times in 21 Posts Friends: 0	Re: I'm Impessed! Averaging 50 mpg and work is 3 miles away. It is costing me .17 to go to work and .17 cents to go home each day. .35 round trip. My old car was .87 per round trip. How I love this car.