2005 Prius poor mileage

VDIndia · 12-04-2007, 07:28 PM

I bought used 2005 Prius in May. In October I bought brand new Cooper tires, shortly after that the weather changed drastically, I have noticed drop significantly in mileage. It give only 26 mpg. I work only a mile from home. So maybe I am not giving enough time to warm up. Any thoughts?

shankarunni · 12-04-2007, 07:50 PM

So, what was your mileage before you changed your tires and the onset of Winter? Did you still live 1 mile from work then?

Given that you only drive 1 mile each way, and then let the car cool down, and then drive 1 mile back, yeah, 26 mpg is not far out of the ordinary. The Prius takes about 10 minutes to "warm up" before achieving peak mileage.

The best sort of commute for the Prius is a longish (20+ minute) city commute at average speeds of 40-50 mph or so with a few stops thrown in.. (I've achieved short-term mileages of upto 60mpg in conditions like that).

For Freeway commutes (mostly 65-70mph, 20+ minutes), I get about 46-48 mpg. Anything less than 10 minutes, and your mileage drops dramatically.

ceric · 12-04-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VDIndia

I bought used 2005 Prius in May. In October I bought brand new Cooper tires, shortly after that the weather changed drastically, I have noticed drop significantly in mileage. It give only 26 mpg. I work only a mile from home. So maybe I am not giving enough time to warm up. Any thoughts?

I would ride a bike if I were you. 1-mile from home!

Clubford00 · 12-04-2007, 09:47 PM

i live in Chicago and in the summer i average about 45-48 mpg. In the winter it goes down to about 38. 26 seems a little low but not completly out of the norm.

drees · 12-05-2007, 04:49 AM

26mpg sounds about right for a 1 mile commute in the cold.

VDIndia · 12-05-2007, 11:14 AM

It use to be in mid 40s. I live in Montana and I did live one mile from work then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shankarunni

So, what was your mileage before you changed your tires and the onset of Winter? Did you still live 1 mile from work then?

Given that you only drive 1 mile each way, and then let the car cool down, and then drive 1 mile back, yeah, 26 mpg is not far out of the ordinary. The Prius takes about 10 minutes to "warm up" before achieving peak mileage.

The best sort of commute for the Prius is a longish (20+ minute) city commute at average speeds of 40-50 mph or so with a few stops thrown in.. (I've achieved short-term mileages of upto 60mpg in conditions like that).

For Freeway commutes (mostly 65-70mph, 20+ minutes), I get about 46-48 mpg. Anything less than 10 minutes, and your mileage drops dramatically.

narf · 12-05-2007, 11:28 AM

under 30 mpg doesn't surprise me for the first 5 minutes of a cold Prius. Any car will get really crappy mileage during warmup, it's just that the Prius gives you the data.

richard schumacher · 12-07-2007, 12:29 AM

Are your tire pressures now too low? Tire pressures should be checked at least monthly, or whenever average outdoor temperature changes by more than about 10'C/20'F.

For improved fuel economy fanatics run pressures higher than those recommended by Toyota (but *not* greater than the maximum shown on the tire itself). I use 42/40 PSI front/rear.

N3FOL · 12-08-2007, 01:47 AM

Even with a regular vehicle, I would not even ride a car for just 1 mile. It is really bad for the motor and exhaust system. If you really have to ride due to road conditions and for your safety, the low mpg sounds about right for a very short trip.

danatt · 12-08-2007, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ceric

I would ride a bike if I were you. 1-mile from home!

Agreed. Bike.
If not - then EV.
Maybe one of these -
http://www.zenncars.com/
Check out the fun video.

12-04-2007, 07:28 PM	#1
VDIndia Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	2005 Prius poor mileage I bought used 2005 Prius in May. In October I bought brand new Cooper tires, shortly after that the weather changed drastically, I have noticed drop significantly in mileage. It give only 26 mpg. I work only a mile from home. So maybe I am not giving enough time to warm up. Any thoughts?

12-08-2007, 01:47 AM	#9
N3FOL Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stewartstown, PA. Posts: 720 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1 Mile Ride Even with a regular vehicle, I would not even ride a car for just 1 mile. It is really bad for the motor and exhaust system. If you really have to ride due to road conditions and for your safety, the low mpg sounds about right for a very short trip.

12-04-2007, 07:50 PM	#2
shankarunni Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	So, what was your mileage before you changed your tires and the onset of Winter? Did you still live 1 mile from work then? Given that you only drive 1 mile each way, and then let the car cool down, and then drive 1 mile back, yeah, 26 mpg is not far out of the ordinary. The Prius takes about 10 minutes to "warm up" before achieving peak mileage. The best sort of commute for the Prius is a longish (20+ minute) city commute at average speeds of 40-50 mph or so with a few stops thrown in.. (I've achieved short-term mileages of upto 60mpg in conditions like that). For Freeway commutes (mostly 65-70mph, 20+ minutes), I get about 46-48 mpg. Anything less than 10 minutes, and your mileage drops dramatically.

12-04-2007, 09:47 PM	#4
Clubford00 Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Buffalo Grove, Ill. Posts: 89 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	i live in Chicago and in the summer i average about 45-48 mpg. In the winter it goes down to about 38. 26 seems a little low but not completly out of the norm.

12-05-2007, 04:49 AM	#5
drees Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 367 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	26mpg sounds about right for a 1 mile commute in the cold.

12-05-2007, 11:28 AM	#7
narf Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 508 My Car: 2008 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	under 30 mpg doesn't surprise me for the first 5 minutes of a cold Prius. Any car will get really crappy mileage during warmup, it's just that the Prius gives you the data.

12-07-2007, 12:29 AM	#8
richard schumacher ichorous liquor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,990 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Are your tire pressures now too low? Tire pressures should be checked at least monthly, or whenever average outdoor temperature changes by more than about 10'C/20'F. For improved fuel economy fanatics run pressures higher than those recommended by Toyota (but not greater than the maximum shown on the tire itself). I use 42/40 PSI front/rear.