First Fill-Up?

baeckknit · 05-15-2005, 08:57 AM

I know it will be a little bit til I'm ready to fill my tank for the first time, but I have a question.

When I fill it for the first time, where will I find the mpg display for the tank? Do I have to use a certain screen with the trip info? Will the car know I'm filling it and compute it for me automatically and bring up a screen? This car has so many different things, I'm a bit overwhelmed at times--although I love it dearly.

I have an 05 package 4 by the way.

Thank you,
Babs in Lebanon PA

galaxee · 05-15-2005, 10:58 AM

congrats on your new Prius!

your tank mpg will be whatever is displayed on the screen before you fill it. (consumption screen)

after adding more than 2 gallons of gas it will automatically reset so if you want to keep track, make sure you write down your mpg number before filling up. i also jot down miles per tank.

bruceha_2000 · 05-19-2005, 03:36 PM

Right. The consumption screen has a reset 'button' on the right side. If you press that ANY time other than just after you fill up, you won't have the car's reading for MPG for the tank. It is always MPG since the last reset.
Over time, your actual miles and gallons pumped in will be the accurate 'lifetime' reading. But tank to tank, since you never know if you are putting in exactly the same amount you used, the computer MPG is fine. Mine seems to run high by less than 0.5 MPG for the entire tank.

baeckknit · 05-19-2005, 08:46 PM

Thanks to both of you. I had a wee bit of a problem filling up for the first time--I didn't trust the first time the pump shut off, thinking there was no way I only needed about 8 gallons and overfilled. I definitely won't be doing that again!

But I did write down my mpg for my first tank---50.3. I'm still going wow over that! And I did reset my button after filling, so now that I've done it once, I at least feel a little more comfortable.

Barb in Lebanon PA

yoda · 05-19-2005, 10:50 PM

Hi Barb,

Congrats on your Prius purchase.

YOU GOT OVER 50 ON YOUR FIRST TANK? I'm friggin jealous! My Prius is just over a month old - I'm on tank 3. Averaging 42 mpg - and I'm THRILLED with 42! But I've been told not to expect over 50 until the car "breaks in" (about 10,000 miles). Even if it stays where it is, I'll be quite happy, but I HAVE noticed increases since I bought it (first tank was 39 mpg) so I'm guessing this "break in" thing might really have SOME merit.

That said - the one thing no one else mentioned (I don't think) - Trust your consumption computer - NOT the amount of gas you put into the tank. Prius has a bladder in the gas tank (designed to reduce emissions). There are VARIABLES that cause a "fill up" to be less accurate then the computer consumption screen.

Yoda

baeckknit · 05-20-2005, 06:17 AM

[quote]
Hi Barb,

Congrats on your Prius purchase.

YOU GOT OVER 50 ON YOUR FIRST TANK? I'm friggin jealous! My Prius is just over a month old - I'm on tank 3. Averaging 42 mpg - and I'm THRILLED with 42! But I've been told not to expect over 50 until the car "breaks in" (about 10,000 miles).

I think I might have some ideal driving conditions. I go over two mountains on my commute and there is one big climb going and coming but for most of the rest of the time on the mountains I can coast. I did find that coming home is better mpg wise. Plus a lot of my drive is on roads where the max speed limit is 45. I only have one 7 mile stretch where it's 55. Everything else is below that.

Hey I was as shocked--I had myself figuring I'd get about 40 some mpgs. Not that I'm going to complain!

And yes, I've learned my lesson--trust the computer!

Barb in Lebanon PA

dontcheff · 05-20-2005, 07:02 AM

For all I have noticed is that MPG depends (believe it or not) on the fuel I tank (not the octane, it is always 95 but the petrol station I tank at). Same route, same speed, same outside temp., MPG varies from 45 to 50. Trip distance is 300 km (about 200 miles).

At least I know now from where to tank in order to get better MPG :-)

priusham · 05-20-2005, 08:49 AM

Some totally anal Prius owners have gone so far as to public track fuel consumption and other statistics for all to view.

I think it's stupid myself, but I'm curiously drawn to it...

http://www.w8kc.com/priusmileage.htm

DanMan32 · 05-20-2005, 11:59 AM

I'm even calculating cost of ownership per mile, taking price, interest, maintenance, deducting equity, etc. So far, about 65 cents per mile, which will go down significantly as the car gets paid off, and purchase costs get averaged into more miles.

Also calculating estimated gas cost savings over my former Saturn

DanMan32 · 05-20-2005, 12:00 PM

I was in upper 40's first 2 tanks myself, but realized I was 'idling' with the AC while playing with NAV during summer, and had taken more trips on highway. Normal commute was more in the mid 50's.

05-15-2005, 08:57 AM	#1
baeckknit Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	First Fill-Up? I know it will be a little bit til I'm ready to fill my tank for the first time, but I have a question. When I fill it for the first time, where will I find the mpg display for the tank? Do I have to use a certain screen with the trip info? Will the car know I'm filling it and compute it for me automatically and bring up a screen? This car has so many different things, I'm a bit overwhelmed at times--although I love it dearly. I have an 05 package 4 by the way. Thank you, Babs in Lebanon PA

05-19-2005, 03:36 PM	#3
bruceha_2000 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: South Burlington, VT Posts: 2,129 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #8 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Right. The consumption screen has a reset 'button' on the right side. If you press that ANY time other than just after you fill up, you won't have the car's reading for MPG for the tank. It is always MPG since the last reset. Over time, your actual miles and gallons pumped in will be the accurate 'lifetime' reading. But tank to tank, since you never know if you are putting in exactly the same amount you used, the computer MPG is fine. Mine seems to run high by less than 0.5 MPG for the entire tank. __________________ Bruce Mine: Driftwood '04 BC 24 Sept 2004 - added: mudflaps, door edge guards, side panel mouldings, Coastal Tech EV switch, Goodyear TripleTred tires WeatherTech window deflectors. Last tank - 24 Aug '08: 513.0 miles - computer MPG: 54.4 Actuals Lifetime: 74,495.9 miles, 49.59 MPG. Wife's: Barcelona '06 #7 May 2006 - added: front mudflaps, Coastal Tech EV switch. Last tank - 25 Aug '08: 360.5 miles - computer MPG: 50.0 Actuals Lifetime: 25,896.4 miles, 45.78 MPG.

05-19-2005, 08:46 PM	#4
baeckknit Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: First Fill-Up? Thanks to both of you. I had a wee bit of a problem filling up for the first time--I didn't trust the first time the pump shut off, thinking there was no way I only needed about 8 gallons and overfilled. I definitely won't be doing that again! But I did write down my mpg for my first tank---50.3. I'm still going wow over that! And I did reset my button after filling, so now that I've done it once, I at least feel a little more comfortable. Barb in Lebanon PA

05-19-2005, 10:50 PM	#5
yoda Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, Ca. Posts: 116 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: First Fill-Up? Hi Barb, Congrats on your Prius purchase. YOU GOT OVER 50 ON YOUR FIRST TANK? I'm friggin jealous! My Prius is just over a month old - I'm on tank 3. Averaging 42 mpg - and I'm THRILLED with 42! But I've been told not to expect over 50 until the car "breaks in" (about 10,000 miles). Even if it stays where it is, I'll be quite happy, but I HAVE noticed increases since I bought it (first tank was 39 mpg) so I'm guessing this "break in" thing might really have SOME merit. That said - the one thing no one else mentioned (I don't think) - Trust your consumption computer - NOT the amount of gas you put into the tank. Prius has a bladder in the gas tank (designed to reduce emissions). There are VARIABLES that cause a "fill up" to be less accurate then the computer consumption screen. Yoda __________________ '05 White Prius - Package 6 (Love the Nav System!) Purchased 4/4/05 Her Name is "Triple T" - (Tomorrows Technology Today)

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05-15-2005, 10:58 AM	#2
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,823 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 19	congrats on your new Prius! your tank mpg will be whatever is displayed on the screen before you fill it. (consumption screen) after adding more than 2 gallons of gas it will automatically reset so if you want to keep track, make sure you write down your mpg number before filling up. i also jot down miles per tank.

05-20-2005, 06:17 AM	#6
baeckknit Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 11 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[quote] Hi Barb, Congrats on your Prius purchase. YOU GOT OVER 50 ON YOUR FIRST TANK? I'm friggin jealous! My Prius is just over a month old - I'm on tank 3. Averaging 42 mpg - and I'm THRILLED with 42! But I've been told not to expect over 50 until the car "breaks in" (about 10,000 miles). I think I might have some ideal driving conditions. I go over two mountains on my commute and there is one big climb going and coming but for most of the rest of the time on the mountains I can coast. I did find that coming home is better mpg wise. Plus a lot of my drive is on roads where the max speed limit is 45. I only have one 7 mile stretch where it's 55. Everything else is below that. Hey I was as shocked--I had myself figuring I'd get about 40 some mpgs. Not that I'm going to complain! And yes, I've learned my lesson--trust the computer! Barb in Lebanon PA

05-20-2005, 07:02 AM	#7
dontcheff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Helsinki Posts: 68 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	For all I have noticed is that MPG depends (believe it or not) on the fuel I tank (not the octane, it is always 95 but the petrol station I tank at). Same route, same speed, same outside temp., MPG varies from 45 to 50. Trip distance is 300 km (about 200 miles). At least I know now from where to tank in order to get better MPG :-)

05-20-2005, 08:49 AM	#8
priusham Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan - land of everlasting snowflake icon! Posts: 525 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Some totally anal Prius owners have gone so far as to public track fuel consumption and other statistics for all to view. I think it's stupid myself, but I'm curiously drawn to it... http://www.w8kc.com/priusmileage.htm

05-20-2005, 11:59 AM	#9
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm even calculating cost of ownership per mile, taking price, interest, maintenance, deducting equity, etc. So far, about 65 cents per mile, which will go down significantly as the car gets paid off, and purchase costs get averaged into more miles. Also calculating estimated gas cost savings over my former Saturn

05-20-2005, 12:00 PM	#10
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I was in upper 40's first 2 tanks myself, but realized I was 'idling' with the AC while playing with NAV during summer, and had taken more trips on highway. Normal commute was more in the mid 50's.