When should I expect to start getting great mileage?

[hodgdon]

A couple stupid newbie questions:

- I've barely owned my new 2008 Prius for 24 hours and I have driven it about a mere 35 miles so far, but the average gas mileage consumption has been around 31-33 MPG so far. My driving pattern has been about a 50/50 split of highway commuting and in-town driving. And I've been driving it pretty gently as well. Does it take a while for the hybrid system to break in and start getting better mileage? Or should I be concerned?

- I've read with interest about all the Prius modifications people have made and recommend in this forum. But if you are a person whose #1 reason for buying the Prius is for maximum gas mileage efficiency, wouldn't physical modifications to the car's body such as mud flaps, bras, side panels, hood shields, etc. interfere with the car's aerodynamics and cause drag and thus decrease fuel efficiency? Or is the decrease too insignificant to worry about?

Thanks,
Steve

[Rae Vynn]

Hi Welcome to Prius chat!

The Prius is designed to be driven like other cars. Driving it "pretty gently" may be working against you.

Of course, any car gets better MPG if you avoid hard acceleration, abrupt stops, and not paying attention to traffic patterns. So, just drive the Prius like that... watch those stoplights/signs, ease off the accelerator a bit earlier for stops.

Keep looking around here... there is a whole forum on fuel efficiency!

[morpheusx]

I got 50 + right from the start, the first thing I did when I left the dealership was reset the consumption screen. To save you some time here are the best tips that require no modification.
1. Short trips kill MPG also don't leave the car in Ready mode while parked for more then 5 minutes. (if running errands go the furthest place first)
2. Warming up the car in the morning also bad for mileage
3. Don't use the heater or A/C for the first 5 minutes
4. Put some air in those tires. (even just 38 PSI will show quite an increase, and is quite a comfortable ride still)
5. Learn how to at least glide through city traffic (no arrows through town and down hills) (avoid use of Yellow arrows)
6. Accelerate moderately (try to keep your instant MPG at least half your speed)
7. If at highway speed and going down a hill instead of letting off the pedal (Blue arrows / regen) feather the pedal down just a bit and let it glide down with the hill using the battery (yellow arrows), I think that is frequently called warp stealth.

I hope this helps

[qbee42]

To answer your last question, physical modification will not help; some won't hurt, some will, but the Prius is pretty aerodynamic as it comes from the factory. There are a few mileage nuts who have added fairings, spats, and related aerodynamic accessories to some minor gain, but it's mostly a hobby.

Tom

[patsparks]

I think before you get too disapointed you could wait until you put 2 gallons of petrol through it, maybe even 3!!

[Zhe Wiz]

Yeah, and wait for the warm weather. Here in NY temps went all the way to mid 60's today and my MPGs were in the low to mid 50's for the day. Incredible how much easier it is to get good mileage when the weather warms up! And I loved it at 45 MPGs!

Jack

[hodgdon]

Thanks for everyone's quick response. I reset the consumption as suggested and, sure enough, I averaged 53 mpg on my commute into work today.

And thanks for the other tips, Morpheusx. I don't understand all them yet (e.g. yellow and blue arrows), but I look forward to learning and trying out your driving strategies.

- Steve

[richard schumacher]

3. Don't use the A/C for the first 5 minutes

Uh, why not? The engine is going to run anyway to warm up both itself and the catalytic converter; increasing the load on it will warm it up faster.

[ken1784]

Originally Posted by morpheusx

6. Accelerate moderately (try to keep your instant MPG at least half your speed)

Would you please explain a scientific theory about "try to keep your instant MPG at least half your speed" part?

Thank you,
Ken@Japan

[morpheusx]

Originally Posted by ken1784

Would you please explain a scientific theory about "try to keep your instant MPG at least half your speed" part?

Thank you,
Ken@Japan

only while accellerating (most of the Can View guys say that it typically keeps the engine in the most efficient RPM range)