lower than advertised mpg |Model\package vs mpg

[Codyroo]

If you haven't already seen this thread, take a look and see how many of the items apply. Lots of good information and expectation management advice.

You will not get 50 MPG if...

[adamace1]

i have no options, over the last 8,000 miles i have got 55 highwy(65-75mph) and in my city like conditions i seem to get 48. So my average is 53 the car says 55.8mpg. I don't try to hard besides i don't floor it from red light to red light.

I wonder if all of your fancy options like the bigger wheels, or battery draining DVD NAV/ bluetooth/ advance tec are hurting you mpg more than you think. I would think all options would take energy from the car and also weight more.

[brianric]

Originally Posted by ALS

You want better mileage? Slow down to 60 mph on the highway.
I've got a III with 1,500 miles and I'm averaging just over 56 mpg on the first two tanks. Any highway I do is at 55 mph with the cruise control on.

You never last on NJ Turnpike at peak rush hour.

[Bobsprius]

I am driving a V with AT, and it's at 1400 miles and I have been averaging about 52 MPG @ 60MPH on the HWY, and varied city driving. I have tires inflated at 34/35. Mean Temps in my area now about 45-50 degrees, night temps 35. Even with the ICE running more to accomodate the call for heat, I am still in the 52 MPG range.
The BEST MPG reading from the MID is 54.7 today.

I am certainly no hypermiler, but I am cautious with the starts from a stop, and gliding better and allowing the car to coast more to stops when I can anticpate them. It seems to me it could be related to techniques in driving, to have such a vast spread of MPG ratings as are being mentioned. I am not even inlcluding the additional Ethanol they must be adding into our Fuel here now...but without a whole lot of extra effort I can easily sustain 48-50MPG?

I wonder how much the terrain plays a role?? I would think with a lot of hills it would be significant??

[qbee42]

There are two major factors for mileage variation: 1) Type of driving, and 2) Weather. If you are one of those unfortunate people with a bad commute, full of high speed stop and go, your mileage will suffer. If you live in a location with cold weather, your mileage will suffer. Generally these are factors beyond your control. You can try to do the best with what you've got, but don't expect stellar mileage from adverse conditions. Comfort yourself with the knowledge that any other car would do considerably worse in the same conditions.

Tom

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by elmo2274

I drive a IV with solar and have been getting about 44-46 mpg driving completely in eco no AC, Cruise control at 69 during highway driving. I try to coast to a stop or slow down so I don't have to stop. I'm sure I'm no where near the best at that but the fact that I do try really hard makes me wonder. (this is over almost 5k)

I have read a bunch of other reports of similar mpg from other users. Wondering if there is a pattern to the model or package and the mpg issues.
...
We'll see if that continues but I don't think we should have to try so hard just to touch the 'normal' mpg.

Originally Posted by JimboPalmer

The EPA runs a battery of tests*, whatever the results of those tests, that is the only MPG the manufacturer can ever mention.

elmo: Please read the articles I linked to Car and Driver: The Truth About EPA City / Highway MPG Estimates to understand what goes into the EPA test. Beating the EPA - The Why’s and How to Hypermile - CleanMPG Forums might help as well.

Correct, supposedly the only mileage manufacturers can advertise are the the EPA numbers. That's what I've heard for years but recently, I spotted VW trying to advertise different numbers and posted about it at Is Volkswagen breaking the law w/this TDI ad by advertising non-EPA method mileage?.

[hampdenwireless]

Originally Posted by adamace1

I wonder if all of your fancy options like the bigger wheels, or battery draining DVD NAV/ bluetooth/ advance tec are hurting you mpg more than you think. I would think all options would take energy from the car and also weight more.

The larger wheels are the biggest factor. Weight is another factor though a DVD/NAV system is not going to weigh enough to matter neither will its electrical power consumption.

[PriusRos]

There are many factors that affect the gas mileage, including length of trip, average speed, topography, weather, frequency of red lights/stop signs, and heavy traffic, as well as driving style. However, judging from all the different reported experiences, I'm really beginning to think that there are variations between the cars themselves, independent of all the above factors. I have a IV with solar. My daily drives are short, hilly, and with a lot of stops, and I only get low to mid forties on average.

My 2010 was begging for me to take it out on a real drive. I just got back from a 1500-mile round trip. I used cruise control most of the time, with speeds varying between 50 and 70mph (but the average speed is much lower than 70). I generally set the CC at around the speed limit. I filled the tank 3 times during the trip, and the best tank I managed was 48.71 calculated (50mpg displayed). My last leg showed 53.5mpg on the trip odometer. These results are pretty much the same (or even not quite as good) as my results for my 2006 Prius, which I used for a similar trip. When I hear about other people routinely getting high 50s to 60s, it's a little discouraging, especially after having tried all the techniques.

I feel there's a tendency to assume that, if you aren't achieving the high gas mileage that others report, it's because you are doing something wrong. Yes, it's always good to practice the techniques recommended by others, but there's no point beating yourself up if, after you've tried everything, you still aren't doing as well as others. There are so many factors that will affect your mileage, and I also believe that the cars themselves will vary (there have been a couple of posts where people reported different results when driving somebody else's Prius, even the same model as their own.)

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by PriusRos

. . . I'm really beginning to think that there are variations between the cars themselves, . . .

This is an interesting hypothesis and there are enough lay reports to raise my interest.

Bob Wilson

[G3priusV]

Originally Posted by Felt

Sorry to hear you numbers are a bit low. I own a IV, G3, but without a sunroof; 4800 miles. My overage for the distance is 53.9 mpg. Needless to say I am well satisfied.

I drive normal ... (I am not a hypermiler), but I try to drive consistent, accelerate normally, but glide to a stop when possible. I suppose traffic in Raleigh could be a factor ... I have learned that you really must be able to drive 35-45 mph for a portion of the tank to achieve the greater numbers. Here in N. Utah, I do get that opportunity. Plus, I am retired, and not fighting commuter traffic.

Consumer Reports came today, and they did a piece on the G3. Their city mileage is pretty consistent with your experience. Fortunately, mine is better that CR reports.

I hope it gets better, but I suspect everyone will not do quite as well with Winter coming ... longer warm-ups, and the Winter blend of gasoline.

Do you drive on legacy highway? My V gets about 49 and I do use lots of coasting and cruise control too. So, I wonder how you get higher mpg than 50?