Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

[JimboK]

Originally Posted by BarbB

...

Hi, Barb, and welcome to PriusChat and Prius-dom!

You'll find many threads discussing high-mileage techniques -- perhaps so many as to be a bit overwhelming. I don't know that there is any one that summarizes it all. You might spend a little more time searching and picking up a tidbit here and there.

Alternatively, here's an article on CleanMPG that gives a good overview of hypermiling with the Prius. Though it's all in one article, it's still a lot to digest and apply. I've had my Prius a little over two years, and I'm still fine-tuning my technique. Be patient and persistent.

Finally, there's nothing wrong with starting a new thread asking for advice specific to your driving situation. You should provide as many details as possible such as distance, type of road, terrain, speed, traffic, temperature, etc.

Good luck!

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by BarbB

Hello Tideland -- Thanks for posting this article (and for the whole thread, actually). I'm a newbie to Prius (December 07) and Chat (January 08). I'm looking for an article similar to the one you posted (Why don't I get EPA mileage) -- but that would describe good driving practices for the Prius. My car has just a few hundred miles on it at this point, and my commute is only about 10 minutes, currently in fairly cold Chicago weather. So I get that my mpg is not gonna be great. I have already intuited that the car does better when warmed up, when the trip is longer, and when there are fewer stop lights and stop signs). However, I'd love to read an article by one of the experts on Prius Chat about good driving habits under different conditions. I've tried the Search function, but haven't conme up with anything (except this post on EPA mileage). I know it's bad on chat boards to ask dumb newbie questions before searching, but I have diligently tried. Thanks, and apologies if it should have been obvious. -- Barb in Chicago

Hi Barb,

no worries. Feel free to post a new thread in the fuel economy section. You'll get more replies.

A few tips to get you through winter
- install an engine block heater (EBH). This will pre-heat the engine for pennies (depends on your electricity price) and shorten the warm-up time of the engine thus improving fuel economy

- a few of us block the grille with foam pipe insulation to keep that engine warm. Air entering the grille will cool the engine quickly because the engine has aluminium heads which cools quicker than iron block heads. If you don't have a scangauge, remove the foam pipe insulation in 50°F+ weather

- minimise heater usage and bundle up instead. Lower the climate control temp to the bare minimum that you're willing to live with. (Sometimes I turn it off at a traffic light and let the engine shut off, then turn the heater back on when the light goes green).

When summer rolls around:

- read up on the pulse and glide technique

- Be aware of your local roads. Experiment with different routes and see which route gets you the best mpg (might take longer in terms of time and/or distance).

Regardless of season:
- watch ahead. Driver's Ed says 8-12 seconds ahead. This lets you prepare for lights turning red or people cutting out of side lanes and so forth that would force you to brake. Maintaining momentum is key for max mpg

- Never hold up traffic. It's not worth the few mpg to have traffic back up behind you or people getting pissed. Try to disguise your glide by letting people pull out of the curb or approaching a red light.

- take advantage of rolling hills and carry as much momentum up to each incline

- avoid going over 65km/h because above that speed, the engine comes on irrespective of whether it was on or off before because it will prevent the elec. motor from overspinning. It'll use very little fuel but no fuel used is better right?

[composter]

I recently traded in my twice daily 12-mile, 34 minute commute for a twice daily 3-mile, 5 minute commute. And I must report that the Prius mpg is much worse for my shorter commute (also comparing hubby's 2005 against new 2008 Prius). So I am only getting about 40 mpg. But a little arithmetic tells me that the shorter commute is still better in total gas consumption, carbon cycle, and of course wasting 5 fewer hours per week just driving to work and back while producing nothing but emissions, even at 50 mpg. I don't think needing to modify my driving has anything to do with it, just the driving conditions and distance and temperature. Still I am reading up on some of the recommendations given here, just adjusted tire pressure today.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by composter

I recently traded in my twice daily 12-mile, 34 minute commute for a twice daily 3-mile, 5 minute commute. And I must report that the Prius mpg is much worse for my shorter commute (also comparing hubby's 2005 against new 2008 Prius). So I am only getting about 40 mpg. But a little arithmetic tells me that the shorter commute is still better in total gas consumption, carbon cycle, and of course wasting 5 fewer hours per week just driving to work and back while producing nothing but emissions, even at 50 mpg. I don't think needing to modify my driving has anything to do with it, just the driving conditions and distance and temperature. Still I am reading up on some of the recommendations given here, just adjusted tire pressure today.

With a commute that short you'll LOVE what an engine block heater will do for you...esp. if you can plug in at work too.

[galaxee]

i'd kill to make my 3 mile commute in 5 minutes. at least you got that going for ya

[BarbB]

Thank you all -- you rock! I don't know why -- maybe because the temp went up to 32 yesterday -- but my mpg also got better for similar commute to work. Got around 45 mpg to and from church today -- a little warmer and a little less traffic. This is a wonderful place to learn. Cheers to you all, Barb

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by BarbB

Thank you all -- you rock! I don't know why -- maybe because the temp went up to 32 yesterday -- but my mpg also got better for similar commute to work. Got around 45 mpg to and from church today -- a little warmer and a little less traffic. This is a wonderful place to learn. Cheers to you all, Barb

oh it's quite temperature sensitive. Any warm spell means mpg goes up!

[ssnab]

Hello to the board as this is my first post.

I now drive a 2006 Prius. Bought it new (5/'06) while at the same time driving a 2005 Prius. Have since sold the 2005 model. The 2006 now has approx. 23 K miles. Average MPG is just barely above 40 on roughly 50/50 hiway/city, and crossed over the 40 MPG only after a 5,000 mile road trip. Average MPG on that trip was 42.30. The 40 MPG average is not a guesstimate, but calculated by miles driven vs. gallons used. These records have been maintained from mile 1, day 1.

For comparison, My 2005 Prius, also purchased new (4/'05), averaged better than 46.5 MGP (or close to new EPA standards) for the 32 K miles driven. On a very similar road trip as mentioned above, the 2005 Prius averaged 48.5 MPG.

Toyota has run a computer scan (twice) and says nothing is wrong, and there is nothing they can or will do to improve the low MPG.

My question to the board: a) am I the only person that has a Prius that for the most part gets less than 40MPG, and b)are there any suggestions on how to get Toyota to fix the problem.

I thank the board for your consideration.

Best

ssnab

[ksstathead]

15% less FE (48.5 v 42.3) on the long trip? hmmm... and similar lifetime difference.

All more or less the same, I assume:

tires, tire pressure, oil, oil level, fuel, grill block, ebh use, temperature on the trips, winter slush level, ... what else, cargo load

just trying to brainstorm

maybe a brake pad dragging, any sign of wear?
alignment
wheel balance

use of a/c, defrost, other electrical loads

ssnab, any thoughts from above?

Other thoughts, anyone?

[Tideland Prius]

You've pretty much covered what I would've listed

is your 2006 a Touring model? That could play a role.