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Prius c user-reported mpg's

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by PriusC'er, Mar 1, 2012.

  1. PriusC'er

    PriusC'er Junior Member

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    I'm starting a new thread that features real-world, user-reported Prius c mpg's since many of you asked specifically about them and the original thread was moving a bit off topic. I've included mpg reports that were in my previous post -- sorry, I haven't had opportunities for any new mpg tests. As new owners start driving, they can add their reports here.

    Seems like most people want to know factors that can affect the results, e.g. the total length of the trip, terrain, weather, surface streets vs. freeway, trying to conserve gas vs. regular driving, no. of passengers, etc. so please include whatever you can.


    Previously posted trip mpg info:

    - 12 mile freeway stretch and back using cruise control at 60mph in Eco Mode.
    Tailwinds of 15-25 mph going out, same headwinds coming back. Outside temp 80 degrees. Rolling hills and a gradual rise in elevation from sea level to 1100 feet and back down to sea level; same thing on return 12-mile trip:
    high 40s mpg


    The following are surface street trips; the longer trips included a 5 mile stretch of "highway" (no stoplights) where the speed limit is 45 (but most people travel 55). Moderate to heavy commuter traffic.

    - 12 miles going up 1200 ft elevation and back down to sea level:
    57.3 mpg

    - 4 miles uphill with relatively steep sections to 700 ft elevation:
    27.3 mpg

    - 4 miles downhill (same as above coming down) in heavy traffic using EV for 95% of the trip:
    99.9 mpg
    We thought the display was broken or stuck, but it must have meant it was over 100 mpg.

    - 17 miles up to 1200 ft, down to 200 ft, back up to 700 ft, down to sea level:
    51.8 mpg


    Looking forward to seeing what everyone else posts!
     
    2 people like this.
  2. gohammer

    gohammer Junior Member

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    Would like to see what you get long term. If you want to share be the first to post a Prius C on Fuelly.com so we can see real world fuel economy.
     
  3. LizKauai

    LizKauai First PriusC3 owner on Kauai!

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    How are you monitoring the mileage? I take the number of miles and divide it by the number of gallons of gas when I fill up. That can be an approximate number because the gas tank does not always fill all the way.
    My 2006 PriusIV averages 56mpg even tho the computer says 59. Will be interesting to see how my new PriusC3 goes when I get it- hopefully in a week or so...
     
  4. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    Trip Parameters that affect MPG on a Prius:

    Driving Temp (grill blocking, EBH), Trip Time(>50minutes), Trip length(>8 miles), Top Speed (<=35mph), Start Elevation (hi), End Elevation(lo), AC/Cimate Control/heater/defroster(on/off), Windows-Sunroof (up/down), Tire Pressure/Tire Type, Road surface, gas(E10,E15 is the worst, Straight gas is the best), driving environment ( congested/not congested , city/highway/suburban/rural/mixed, hypermiling/easy-light driving/keeping up with traffic/busy driving/hard accelerations),
    throttle assistance mode (ECO,Normal,Power,EV).
     
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  5. strongbad

    strongbad Member

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    Winding Road reports the following:

     
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  6. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Thanks for the heads up.

    Interesting article you found with nice pics of the interior:

    Winding Road Magazine | Issue 79
     
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  7. PriusC'er

    PriusC'er Junior Member

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    To keep things simple, I'm only reporting what is showing on the trip summary display. I'm assuming it is fairly accurate.

    I haven't had to fill up yet (hooray) so I won't be able to compare the gas fillup numbers until I do.

    I believe we don't need to overthink this or get too absorbed in the mpg factors since everyone's mileage will vary. Just keep this thread simple enough that it is easy for others to contribute.

    Happy driving!
     
  8. vinnie97

    vinnie97 Whatever Works

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    ^The Prius Gen III is notorious for overreporting mpg, so the manual calculations would be nice! :)
     
  9. LizKauai

    LizKauai First PriusC3 owner on Kauai!

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    The good news is that there is no bladder in the C gas tank. That should help my calculations.
     
  10. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    danny said his test showed 0.1% difference, so thats good.
     
  11. PriusC'er

    PriusC'er Junior Member

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    Finally had to fill up my tank after two weeks:

    389 miles on 8.35 gallons = 46.6 mpg

    The number of gallons assumes the dealer had originally filled it to the limit when we drove it off the lot. We'll see how it compares to my next fillup, probably in about another 2 weeks!

    Please see the original post for details about the type of driving we do and other factors that could affect the mileage.
     
  12. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    What did you mpg gauge read? When you say filled to the limit
    do you mean filled to the top of the filler neck so you can
    see the gas?
     
  13. PriusC'er

    PriusC'er Junior Member

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    Sorry -- my wife did the fillup and did not check the Prius' mpg readout. She said she filled until the nozzle auto-stop clicked, then pumped in until the second auto-stop clicked.

    She is the primary driver and is definitely not into providing the gory details about mpg, so other new Prius C'ers may be able to give more complete mpg reports in the next few weeks. She just enjoys her new car and the mpg is more than double what we were getting in our old car.
     
  14. phenoyz

    phenoyz Member

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    How much did you pay for a full tank of gas? what octane level did u use?
    Thanks
     
  15. PriusC'er

    PriusC'er Junior Member

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    $35.23 ($4.219 per gallon).
    Regular gas at 87 octane.
    Not sure but I think it is 10% ethanol (E-10).
     
  16. LizKauai

    LizKauai First PriusC3 owner on Kauai!

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    My C3 is averaging 70mpg according to the trip reports. Yes, I do pulse and glide. Drive it the same way as my 06 and getting way more than my old average of 56 mpg. Love this car!
     
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  17. Hank101

    Hank101 Member

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    Somebody PLEASE conduct a controlled highway evaluation (65 mph) and report on findings, with specific details.

    Thanks
     
  18. ewaboy

    ewaboy Active Member

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    Are you on Kauai now and, if so, are you okay with all the flooding and rain the last few days?
    [​IMG]
    Saw news footage of, IIRC, a Chevy PU about half way submerged and about to float away. Must be over 20"+ rain in the last two or three days.:(

    Take care.
     
  19. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    If you can, could you please post results on normal, non pulse
    and glide driving. Also highway mpg's etc.

    When you do calculate could you please check if the mpg
    gauge is accurate. My 2010 prius if off by 3.5 mpg consistently.

    Thanks

    Alfon
     
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  20. priusCpilot

    priusCpilot Active Member

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    Ok guys wow I'm getting a bit of the hang of hybrids more and more. I have 150 miles now. Anyhow I set up the MPG meter and eco gauge and all this technology I'm not use and finally see some GREAT MPG. I drove in the city here in the LA area with traffic and stop lights for 8.9m and got 60.1 MPG. I would have had 65+MPG if not for a call that screwed me up on how I was drving hehe. I was not even driving like a dead turtle either just normal but smart driving to get this. This was pure LA flat level city driving! My 5.2L Jeep would get 14-15 in the city LOL! It has 280k miles on it oh the humanity! RIP any one in the market for a 1996 Grand Cherokee? haha