Hard to get Green bars.

ranmandx · 08-06-2007, 11:26 PM

Is it still the breakin period or what? My prius has only gotten green bars ONCE in 517 miles driven. I used to test drive a prius and was able to get green bars no problem. Just by exiting off a highway. And my highway mpg sucks until i have just two bars short of full. How often do you get green bars on your prius? Mine is usually at the half mark and sometimes at plus 2 from half. but never achieved full.

On that tank i got 517 miles and averaged 46.something and i ran out of fuel.

Oh another question on the highway what is the ideal consumption display. it seems to be mostly on engine charging the battery as well as driving the wheels. Is it ever possible to just use the engine to only drive the wheels and not loose any power charging the battery or no?

I think i passed by a priuschat member in a 1st gen prius today on the QEW from buffalo he had the priuschat decals on his car.

brad34695 · 08-06-2007, 11:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ranmandx @ Aug 6 2007, 11:26 PM) [snapback]491679[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is it still the breakin period or what? My prius has only gotten green bars ONCE in 517 miles driven. I used to test drive a prius and was able to get green bars no problem. Just by exiting off a highway. And my highway mpg sucks until i have just two bars short of full. How often do you get green bars on your prius? Mine is usually at the half mark and sometimes at plus 2 from half. but never achieved full.

On that tank i got 517 miles and averaged 46.something and i ran out of fuel.

Oh another question on the highway what is the ideal consumption display. it seems to be mostly on engine charging the battery as well as driving the wheels. Is it ever possible to just use the engine to only drive the wheels and not loose any power charging the battery or no?

I think i passed by a priuschat member in a 1st gen prius today on the QEW from buffalo he had the priuschat decals on his car.
[/b]

I know you are in the border area, but are you running the A/C? If so, shut that stupid thing off! I live in Florida and only run the A/C when my 6 year old son is in the car. Otherwise I keep it off, because the A/C is your enemy if you want superior MPG. It will drain your battery and keep you from getting "green" battery bars.

Check your air pressure in your tires. Go to at least 42 lbs psi in the front tires and 40 lbs psi in the rear tires. I personally run above sidewall tire pressure and I have all 4 tires at 50lbs psi. Not only does it increase my MPG, but my handling is great!

I hope I am not telling you anything you didn't already know. You don't need green bars for good overall MPG, as I am mostly in blue. This photo just shot this evening will help show that, good luck!

Brad
Tampa Bay Florida

**efusco** · 08-06-2007, 11:58 PM

"Getting green bars" is not part of driving a Prius. It serves no purpose to try to get them. In fact, any efforts you make to purposefully try to override the normal operation of the car in an effort to get green bars will result in reduced fuel economy.

The car is programmed to try to keep the battery at a 60% SOC--5-6 blue bars. The area above and below that is buffer...if it goes above the car will intentionally use more battery to get the SOC back down to 60%. If it goes below that level the car will intentionally run the ICE more in an effort to get back up.

This is another one of those "just drive it" situations, you're trying to hard...don't do anything different whether the battery shows full green or 1 pink bar...it will take care of itself, you just keep driving.

dogfriend · 08-07-2007, 01:22 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ranmandx @ Aug 6 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]491679[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is it still the breakin period or what?

On that tank i got 517 miles and averaged 46.something and i ran out of fuel.

[/b]

My mileage went up slightly with each tank for at least the first half dozen tanks. So, yes, you are still in the break in period.

You should try to avoid running out of fuel, its not good for the car.

jamarimutt · 08-07-2007, 05:30 AM

To see all green bars you need to go down a fairly long hill. Driving along mostly flat highways is not going to do it.

Turning off the A/C in the summer and inflating the tires 15 pounds over the factory recommendation in order to achieve the highest possible mpgs is not for me. It's not worth it... and the little money saved will most likely not be deposited in a savings account, but rather spent buying stuff, eating in restaurants, drinking beer, etc.

1fixitman · 08-07-2007, 05:45 AM

The only time I get green bars is on the interstate on a 1.2 mile downhill coasting from 64MPH down to about 52MPH. The ICE(internal combustion engine) continues to run the entire time because the car is greater than 41MPH. Hope this helps. I keep my AC at 75 deg f. It also cools the battery so if you are cool then it is cool. Yeah.

jamarimutt · 08-07-2007, 07:10 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Aug 7 2007, 05:45 AM) [snapback]491757[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I keep my AC at 75 deg f. It also cools the battery so if you are cool then it is cool. Yeah.
[/b]

I've also found that 75 degrees is the best all around temperature. However, even at lower temperatures I've heard the battery fan come on, after a long climb up the mountains.

edselpdx · 08-07-2007, 01:38 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ranmandx @ Aug 6 2007, 08:26 PM) [snapback]491679[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

On that tank i got 517 miles and averaged 46.something and i ran out of fuel.

[/b]

This is really easy... put gas in when the "guess gauge" goes down. The blinking last pip means your car is screaming "GET GAS NOW OR YOU WILL RUN OUT". Search on "fuel bladder" and "

ran out of gas" and you will find discussion ad nauseum on this topic. For some reason, people seem to think that knowing the MPG means you don't have to pay attention to the gas gauge. The major problem is that you never know exactly how much gas is in the fuel bladder.

Vagabond · 08-07-2007, 03:10 PM

My advice: Stop trying so hard.

subarutoo · 08-07-2007, 03:20 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Vagabond @ Aug 7 2007, 12:10 PM) [snapback]491957[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My advice: Stop trying so hard.
[/b]

...And stop worrying so much. A few mpgs are not worth getting ulcers over. As for the AC, why suffer? If its hot or too cold, turn the thing on. The car will take care of the mpgs for you. Just drive.

08-06-2007, 11:58 PM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 13,360 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 23	"Getting green bars" is not part of driving a Prius. It serves no purpose to try to get them. In fact, any efforts you make to purposefully try to override the normal operation of the car in an effort to get green bars will result in reduced fuel economy. The car is programmed to try to keep the battery at a 60% SOC--5-6 blue bars. The area above and below that is buffer...if it goes above the car will intentionally use more battery to get the SOC back down to 60%. If it goes below that level the car will intentionally run the ICE more in an effort to get back up. This is another one of those "just drive it" situations, you're trying to hard...don't do anything different whether the battery shows full green or 1 pink bar...it will take care of itself, you just keep driving. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

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08-06-2007, 11:26 PM	#1
ranmandx Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 54 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Is it still the breakin period or what? My prius has only gotten green bars ONCE in 517 miles driven. I used to test drive a prius and was able to get green bars no problem. Just by exiting off a highway. And my highway mpg sucks until i have just two bars short of full. How often do you get green bars on your prius? Mine is usually at the half mark and sometimes at plus 2 from half. but never achieved full. On that tank i got 517 miles and averaged 46.something and i ran out of fuel. Oh another question on the highway what is the ideal consumption display. it seems to be mostly on engine charging the battery as well as driving the wheels. Is it ever possible to just use the engine to only drive the wheels and not loose any power charging the battery or no? I think i passed by a priuschat member in a 1st gen prius today on the QEW from buffalo he had the priuschat decals on his car.

08-07-2007, 05:30 AM	#5
jamarimutt Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 972 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	To see all green bars you need to go down a fairly long hill. Driving along mostly flat highways is not going to do it. Turning off the A/C in the summer and inflating the tires 15 pounds over the factory recommendation in order to achieve the highest possible mpgs is not for me. It's not worth it... and the little money saved will most likely not be deposited in a savings account, but rather spent buying stuff, eating in restaurants, drinking beer, etc.

08-07-2007, 05:45 AM	#6
1fixitman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Augusta, GA Posts: 169 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The only time I get green bars is on the interstate on a 1.2 mile downhill coasting from 64MPH down to about 52MPH. The ICE(internal combustion engine) continues to run the entire time because the car is greater than 41MPH. Hope this helps. I keep my AC at 75 deg f. It also cools the battery so if you are cool then it is cool. Yeah.

08-07-2007, 03:10 PM	#9
Vagabond Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: DICE Headquarters :o Posts: 1,196 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My advice: Stop trying so hard.