Disappointing mileage

[ken1784]

There are a lot of factors we see low mileage such as...

• break-in period - We'll need at least 2000 miles to see a normal results, especially with new tires
• short trips - We'll need an extra warming up fuel other than the driving fuel
• A/C use - We'll need an extra fuel for the A/C system energy other than the driving fuel
• hybrid driving skills - We'll see better and better mileage numbers after learning how to drive our Prius
• highway driving - Above 46 mph, the engine is always spinning, therefore we see low mileage. Also, we see stronger air drag at higher speed
• too many stop&go - The best one is non stop 25 - 35 mph driving
• steep hills - A flat or very gentle up/down hills are good
• cold weather - We'll see lower mileage on cold weather than the warm weather
• low tire pressure - We have to set the tire pressure at least recommended value, but higher is better

If you understand these, you have an opportunity to see more than 85 mpg results.
2010 MPG Stats - Post Them Here

Hope this helps,
Ken@Japan

[Zaxcom]

some good points. i will track my mileage and see how it goes.

[a priori]

Unfortunately, it is people like me posting decent FE numbers that can make you wonder what is wrong. Why would I get better numbers than you?

1. I've driven much farther than you, so the car is breaking in a bit more. My first trips didn't have the kind of mileage I've been getting the past two weeks.
2. I've been driving for decent fuel economy for many years, so I probably have developed patterns that benefit mileage.
3. I've been driving a Prius for several years -- nothing beats that experience.
4. Much of my travel of late has been longer trips that have been conducive to good economy and high MPGs.
5. I'm not reporting just one tankful of gas. (And you really don't know exactly how full the tank was!)

The good news, of course, is that all of these things will equal out as you drive longer in your new Prius.

Whatever you do, though, just try to learn about and enjoy your car for awhile. Don't get too concerned about fuel economy right now, and don't drive just to try and use the battery. That will work counter to your interest in being more fuel efficient. You would do better just driving it like any other car.

Speaking of just any other car: Do you recall the mileage you had on your first tank in the Smart car?

[Bruno_S]

Next time try blending 87 and 89 octane to meet the recommended 88 octane per the manual. My suspicion is that 50 MPG combined was achieved using 88 octane fuel. I don't buy that it was a typo on the manual. Of course Toyota will say that you can use 87 (as with any car that requires 91 premium) but you may not get the same performance. Currently on my 300 mile Prius I have averaged 48 MPG. It has about 1/2" tank so it is time to fill up with some decent gas. Also check the tires pressure, my front tires came under inflated from the dealer.

[ElectroGator]

I Avg.800 miles a week, Sometimes 200 a day on my '06 until last week I never avg. below 47 mpg usually right at 50 mpg. In Jacksonville,Fl its 95-97 Degrees my mpg has dropped has been 41-43. I do blast the AC . But I dont remember last summer my MPG being that poor .I still employ the Pulse and Glide method but it hasn't helped much. COLD WEATHER is always better than hot for MPG>

[dc202]

Originally Posted by Zaxcom

Ok let me try to answer these questions.

1. I do not warm up the car. I start and go.

2. The dealer filled the tank the first time. It read full.

3. Very slight hills. Nothing you could not ride a bicycle over.

4. It is a local commute with several lights and fairly heavy traffic. So while not stop and go like a crowded interstate, I am going up to 35 and down to 0 often.

I live in a very hilly area and I am getting 52 mpg on first tank. I am not doing short trips and I keep it mostly in eco mode.

[ken1784]

Originally Posted by Bruno_S

Next time try blending 87 and 89 octane to meet the recommended 88 octane per the manual.

FYI,
It was confirmed that the 88 octane value on the manual was wrong.
88 Octane for 2010 Prius - What's up with that?

Ken@Japan

[fuzzy1]

... until last week I never avg. below 47 mpg usually right at 50 mpg. In Jacksonville,Fl its 95-97 Degrees my mpg has dropped has been 41-43. I do blast the AC . But I dont remember last summer my MPG being that poor ... COLD WEATHER is always better than hot for MPG>

I guess 'cold' is relative. For those of us up north, cold weather -- icy, snowy winter -- is always worse for MPG. Best MPG occurs in the warmest weather one can tolerate without AC, which here happens in the summer.

[DaveinOlyWA]

well the OP states he got 43 mpg, the display says 47 mpg, that is close enough for the first fill. dealer just did not have it as full as the OP.

but as far as your mileage goes. you have one big hitter after another. short commute, heavy stop and go traffic with AC. its all gonna drop the mileage.

first thing, try to anticipate lights. are you on double lane roads?, if so, try starting your coast a few blocks before the intersection. in most cases, you waste less gas, regen more, and spend less time at a standstill waiting for the traffic to start moving again.

on your AC, i lived in your area, and even if the temps were in the low 80's, the humidity makes AC a requirement and not an option so not a lot you can do there. but one thing i will say, turn off the AC and run straight fan for last minute of your drive. this will help prevent possible mildew forming on the core. you might be in a warm enough area where it will not be as much of an issue, but i would do it anyway.

pump your tires. for in town driving, i would not run anything under 42 PSI. this can bump your mileage up 1-3 mpg and increase your tread life. now its supposed to make it a rougher ride but i have never really felt much of a difference.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

well the OP states he got 43 mpg, the display says 47 mpg, that is close enough for the first fill. dealer just did not have it as full as the OP. . . .

My first tank was dealer 'filled,' 89 octane, Shell E10, and even so, I was pleasantly surprised by the calculated milage. I ran the tank dry (or rather the first error message), put in 1 gallon spare and then drove to fill with straight gas. The current tank is just under mid-tank level and the trip meter is looking better.

Bob Wilson