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HUGE Improvement in Winter MPG based on Driving Technique! Loving Prius!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by prominence, Jan 21, 2012.

  1. prominence

    prominence Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2016 Prius
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    Four
    I'm just so excited I wanted to share my enjoyment of the Prius!!

    I am a first time Prius buyer, bought a 2011 Prius Three w/ Navi in Sept 2010. It changed the whole driving experience, and made me a believer in the HSD system! (Also made driving life so much less stressful, traffic jams?- no problem, speed limit?-Sure, I'll obey that!)

    Anyway, I always keep my tire pressure at 40/38 per suggestions on this forum, but I had been lazy with being conscious of my driving style the past couple days, and noticed I was down to 39MPG avg over 100 miles stretch (in 20 degree weather). At first I thought it was due to the temp drop from the 50s, but I was so "disgusted" by seeing 39 (even though it's better than my previous car- Toyota Yaris- had ever done even in summer time), I was determined to be able to get the "47-50 winter MPG" everyone always speaks of on these forums (vs. 53-60MPG in Summer). So I stopped being lazy, reset my trip ODO, instituted more Pulse & Glide, stopped speeding (went 62-63 in slow lane in 65 zone on highway), and over a 60 mile stretch from driving around today, I got my MPG up at 49 from driving smarter, not necessarily slower but going the speed limit or a few under, and using P&G when no one was behind me! This was in 20 degree weather with some snow in Ohio on 70% highway, 30% surface streets. This car never ceases to amaze me. Had it been summer, I probably would have been at 55MPG! But honestly, 49 MPG in 20 degree winter weather?-Yeah, I'll take that!

    I'm also learning more every day how to "be one" with my car and really optimize driving techniques to maximize the fuel efficiency. I'm on the verge of buying a ScanGauge II, just waiting for the price on amazon to drop!!

    I have always loved Toyota and our family has always been a Toyota family (my mom drove a 1993 Toyota Corolla until 2006 and put 350k miles on it, only thing besides routine maintenance that ever got replaced was alternator), but I was hesitant to buy a Prius because I wasn't a big fan of the Gen II interior styling (being in my 20s I wanted something a little more "sportier"), but when I saw what the Gen III looked like on the inside and out, I had to have it! There is NO other car that compares in my mind!! I feel like I'm going to be buying Prius for the rest of my life..:) Plan on driving this one for 7-10 years, and by then the Plug-In Prius will hopefully be a little lighter on the wallet and have an EV range of 40-60 miles. :)
     
    #1 prominence, Jan 21, 2012
    3 people like this.
  2. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    II
    (I hope the mods here don't mind me plugging CleanMPG a bit. Disclosure: I'm a moderator there.)

    If you run out of patience and given your interest, you might want to check out the dedicated hypermiling site, CleanMPG. Registered users can do a group buy at the same price as Amazon (free shipping as well). Many people there use the ScanGauge and it's particularly recommended over the cheaper UltraGauge for the Prius because XGauge allows you to monitor coolant temperature, which allows for more aggressive grille blocking.
     
    #2 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Jan 21, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  3. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    It is always fun to read the enthusiastic reactions from new Prius drivers. Welcome to the club and to PC.
     
    #3 andyprius, Jan 21, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  4. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    At 20F, you would probably want to look at blocking the lower grill. Having the scangauge will help you monitor the coolant temperature, which is a comfort and allows you better control of the cabin temperature (if you should keep going with cabin heat or shut it down because you'll know if the engine is cooling down too much).

    We've had morning temps in upper 20's low 30's at my house (commute ends in mid 40's at work) and grill blocking has greatly improved my MPG's from last year at this time, under similar driving conditions).
     
    #4 Codyroo, Jan 23, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  5. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    The Prius is sort of like a high-mileage car version of a WWI Sopwith Camel biplane - with somewhat quirky handling and performance, but capable of exceptionally performance in the hands of a skilled pilot/driver.
     
    #5 walter Lee, Jan 26, 2012
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right on!!!
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 26, 2012
  7. olyprius

    olyprius Member

    Joined:
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    Totally agree with you guys.... I love our OP's enthusiasm, its contagious.
     
    #7 olyprius, Jan 26, 2012
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