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better MPG with seats up?

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by GeoZoo, Dec 15, 2014.

  1. GeoZoo

    GeoZoo Junior Member

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    Generally I always have the rear seats folded flat in my little 2013 C3.

    maybe it is just me and I don't have numbers to quote yet, just a gut thing, it seems I better fuel economy when the seats are not folded.flat.

    Is it possible that they would make that much of a difference?
     
  2. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    I assume that you're having a laugh, right?
     
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  3. Yakoma

    Yakoma Active Member

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    You're talking about your convertible Prius, right? :rolleyes:
     
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  4. Epiphany2000

    Epiphany2000 Member

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    I'm no physicist, but I don't see how the position of the seats would make any difference in terms of weight or air resistance. Seems like superstition to me.
     
  5. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

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    You don't have 500 pounds of cargo in the back when the seats are down do you?
     
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  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Yes, it is quite possible, through what is known as the 'placebo effect'.
     
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  7. robertmaria

    robertmaria Member

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    maybe because the batteries are under the rear seats it affects how cool or warm the batteries are and thus the batteries' performance, especially in the Prius c.
     
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  8. mahout

    mahout Active Member

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    [QUOthheoretcallyTE="GeoZoo, post: 2113640, member: 120379"]Generally I always have the rear seats folded flat in my little 2013 C3.

    maybe it is just me and I don't have numbers to quote yet, just a gut thing, it seems I better fuel economy when the seats are not folded.flat.

    Is it possible that they would make that much of a difference?[/QUOTE]

    theoretically you should get better mpgith seats down because the lower CG would enable
    theoretically you should get better mpg with seats down because the lower CGenables cornering at higher speeds soless accelreration isneeded after the corner but you'd need a very delicate means of measuring the difference. In truth it makes absolutely no differnce. period.
     
  9. edteach

    edteach Junior Member

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    I also get better MPG when I am going down hill. I am not sure about this nor can I explain it but it seems like it does.
    I al
     
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  10. ufourya

    ufourya We the People

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    Can we PLEASE have a 'hate' button next to the 'like' button? There are threads and comments that just beg for it. Thank you, Prius Chat, for your consideration of this suggestion.
     
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  11. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    The seat trick only works if you hang your tongue out the left side of your mouth. If you hang it out the right side...it uses more. :rolleyes:
     
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  12. GeoZoo

    GeoZoo Junior Member

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    Just want to say that I'm serious.

    I figured seats down would be better because of centre of gravity.

    But, while not much, it seems better with the seats up.

    I guess I see this post seems silly but figured I'd ask. Don't know any other Prius C owners offline to ask.
     
  13. cmllr

    cmllr Junior Member

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    This totally works - drastically alters the aerodynamics of the internal air trajectories while simultaneously adjusting the micro-weight distribution of the internal vehicular positive macro....you know what I don't have time to go into all of the details, take my word - it isn't rocket surgery. o_O
     
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  14. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    My wife is always harassing me about leaving the toilet seat up in the bathroom. I hope she doesn't read this thread.
     
  15. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You don't state if you are driving with the windows down? The air flow within the cabin could create a less or more resistance which would impact your MPG's. It could be just coincidence that you are assuming its the position of the back seats.
     
  16. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I'd have guessed that with windows open, seats folded flat would have produced better mpg, due to reduced drag against the incoming wind.
     
  17. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Depends on whether your listening to the radio or a CD. Government studies have proven a wide range of received radio frequencies are known to cause additional drag and thus avoided religiously by all serious hyper-milers.

    Sorry...couldn't resist. :notworthy:
     
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  18. orenji

    orenji Senior Member

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    You are almost correct, but it actually has to do with if the radio is on or not as the signal creates a drag on the antenna, like an anchor!
     
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  19. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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  20. Gabriel Rockman

    Gabriel Rockman Junior Member

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    If your driving style is different when the rear seats are folded flat, then it does in fact make a noticeable difference, although it is an indirect cause, and not a direct cause.