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Worst Tank to Date

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by Brad K, Dec 19, 2014.

  1. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    two weeks ago, finishing the drive to Ohio from NC, filled up in KY, drove the last 100 or so miles at 80 mph when possible, and then 300+ miles back to fillup in TN. Got 42.9 MPG. This car is great on gas as long as you 1) keep it under 70 mpg unless going downhills and 2) DONT USE CC
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    At 80 mph when possible? Argh, slow down!

    Got 42.9 mpg? Likely a bit worse, if you calculate.

    Keep it under 70 mpg?? :D
     
  3. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Coldest part of winter where I live now.

    I do a lot of short trips.

    I have to remind myself NOT to be so spoiled.

    For the next month or so, my average will hover in the "Horrible" low 40's.

    Which again I have to remind myself, I would of been thrilled to get ANY time of year, with almost every vehicle I have ever owned besides the Prius.
     
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  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Also, lots of people aren't aware that winter fuel blends don't have as much energy. So 1 gallon of gas in the winter will not propel the same vehicle in the same conditions with the same weather as far as 1 gallon of gas in the summer.
     
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  5. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Name another car that does that well at 80 mph in the winter.
     
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  6. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    well the Prius does 47+ at 80 from what my friends tell me. And that was calculated, the computer said about 46 if I recall
     
  7. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    I usually keep it about 75 mpg or less but a 500 mile trip, I need to shave off the hour
     
  8. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    and in the morning its only getting into the 40-48 mpg range (computer says). In summer would get 55+
     
  9. Quinlan00

    Quinlan00 Junior Member

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    If you care primarily about fuel economy, I agree with the above and drive slower. I usually now drive the speed limit in the c on the interstate. I had a 3rd gen hatch, and that you could drive faster on the interstate with less impact on the overall fuel economy. But the 3rd gen hatch doesn't get as good city milage so it's a trade off.
     
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  10. Oskar

    Oskar Member

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    "This car is great on gas as long as you 1) keep it under 70 mpg unless going downhills"

    I think you've answered your own question with the above statement. It comes down the the laws of physics/etc. The faster you go, the poorer the mpgs. There is no way around it unless you're in a sci-fi movie

    The Prius is a great car and, as someone here noted, you can't find another car that can get you that type of mpg at those speeds. But to expect 50 to 60 mpg doing 80 mph is a pipe dream.
     
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  11. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    It gets an amazing 60-70 mpg if driving on flat roads with few stops at 50 mph
     
  12. Ford Mustang :LOL:


    My average winter economy is around 40 mpg, but in town I'm getting plenty of 20-30 mpg trips. (n)
     
  13. Brad K

    Brad K Member

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    I only care about the average tank, short trips, especially in the winter, are terrible. The car needs at least 6-10 miles for peak performance in the winter
     
  14. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    block radiator
     
  15. winnertakesteve

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    fuelly says my last 3 months have averaged 41.6mpg. :( but then i live in canada and my commute is about 10km that can be fairly stop and go. even for longer drives at moderate speeds it seems pretty tough to crack 50mpg. just too dang cold. :(
     
  16. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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  17. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    My most recent 2k miles are 48.6 mpg (us) on the display. First time I can remember being under 50.
    Looking forward to a bit warmer weather :)
     
  18. minkus

    minkus Active Member

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    My most recent tank was the worst: 42.5 mpg (calculated at the pump), thanks to Ohio winters with the recent negative double digit windchills. It brought my average over 23k miles down to 58.4 mpg. I usually drive the city way to work because it's not much longer and uses less gas, but it's been so cold recently that I don't bother with that and just take the highway because it's not much of a difference at these temps, and I need to blast the heat the whole way to get rid of the inside frost. I get 40-45 mpg instead of maybe 50 the city way.

    I previously drove a 2001 Cavalier that topped out at 30 mpg at its best and would get as low as 19 mpg in the winter, so that's some perspective.
     
  19. coyote303

    coyote303 Member

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    My worst tank was my last one: 41.0 MPG (calculated)

    I did everything wrong to "achieve" this:

    Drove a steady 75 MPH
    Used cruise control a lot
    Drove during the winter on a cold day
    Used the heater and heated seats
    Carried a passenger, my dog, and luggage
    Took a route with lots of hills (not that there was much choice)
    Got stuck in a traffic jam on the interstate
    Took car out of ECO mode (which I do on a hilly road trip)
     
  20. Yeah this whole winter I've basically just used my car like a "normal" car and forget the hypermiling stuff until summer. I'm way up in the North Pole and this winter I'm averaging around 35 mpg (double what my SUV used to get).