Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

Discussion in 'Knowledge Base Articles Discussion' started by Tideland Prius, Sep 5, 2007.

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    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    thanks efusco, your article is very easy to understand.....i realized that i've been driving my prius just like a gas car, not smart.

    I would like to understand the pulse and glide/warp speed concept a little more, i have read wayne's article but i dont comprehend it clearly. i need more of a "do this, then do that" explanation.....but to make this very specific, i am not insulting wayne here, i just dont get the specifics.

    since i have driven the 170+ miles, i'm gonna do it the old fashioned way, i'm gonna just fill up the tank and figure out the mpg (the tank was filled when i purchased the car), and i'll post it here. i figure it's somewhat important because there are some people going to the prius for the FIRST time, just like myself from a gas guzzler.....this is my real world conditions here in southern california.

    cheers!:flame:
    Genoz World, Mar 5, 2008
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    efusco Troll Slayer

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    Nah, don't fill it up...just drive out the tank. You'll find that the MFD MPG on a tank by tank basis is much more accurate than any single fill up. While over the course of a lifetime your calculated averages may be better overall the difference will be less than 2%.

    Also, don't worry about Pulse and glide...just become familiar with the car. Learn to anticipate it's behavior. Read the 5 stages of hybrid operation article (should be here in the knowledge base somewhere)...it'll give you a bit more insight into how the car will behave at different times.

    Seriously, you're worrying way too much way too early into your life with the car. Just drive it for now, get a feel for it. This spring/summer after you've got a couple thousand miles and really start itching for 50-60-70mpg tanks and you know how to feather into a glide and such come on back and we can hand-hold you through P&G and the finer details of hypermiling.
    efusco, Mar 5, 2008
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    wheck5 New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    Last week I took delivery on my 2008 Magnetic Grey Metallic Prius and so far I think it is a great car. It may be a little too early to tell but I don't regret the down sizing from my 2002 Lexus. I am looking for hints/tips for breaking in my new Prius. This forum and articles like the above are very helpful !!

    Thank you in advance for any suggestions and/or advice anyone might have.

    Bill
    wheck5, Mar 26, 2008
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    LEILANI Going Green with Barcelona Red

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    Efusco and Tideland (and Barb from Chicago!),

    Your info has GREATLY helped me! I have been considering my driving techniques each day wondering what I am doing incorrectly, and think I can finally see the light:behindsofa:. It isn't all me! My winter temps in MN are similar to Barb's in Chicago; the info on engine block heater for next year will be VERY helpful, and the information regarding premium gas not needed, and my 3 mile commute not being the perfect mileage predictor are ALL great news to me. You people are good to have around. THANKS!
    LEILANI, Mar 26, 2008
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    safarigrl New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    Thanks for the article. WEALTH of info. Just got mine Saturday and the dealer wasn't feeling the need to spend that much time coaching me on the tips. "Hey...if you don't want it...I'll sell that thing in 5 minutes for $2500 over invoice" :cool: Ahhh, the love you receive when the product is in SUCH high demand.
    safarigrl, May 26, 2008
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    driverx New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    I have a similar problem. I used to have 04 prius with avg 48mpg. With my 06, I barely get 40mpg. It seems like my MPG is getting worse.

    I think my 06 MFD gives pessimistic mpg compare to 04???? Do you think perhaps, my battery is going bad?:(
    driverx, May 30, 2008
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    kazots LifesaBeach

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    I didn't realize the temp factor. It was a very interesting article.
    kazots, Jul 14, 2008
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    gry New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    We just brought home our 2009 and I wish we read this site more...

    18th post:
    This is my wife's daily commute with our kid.
    gry, Jan 10, 2009
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    moosedude New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?


    I am a Newbie Prius owner. I got the Spectra Blue 2008 Package 2. What are the EV-15 and EV-30?
    moosedude, Mar 23, 2009
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    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    They refer to after-market modifications of the Prius which increase the size of the battery, thereby increasing Electric Vehicle (EV) range.

    Tom
    qbee42, Mar 23, 2009
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    Ed Morgan New Member

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    To ssnab. Could the use of different fuels be the difference in your MPG's?
    For example, could you have been using 100% gas with the 2005 and 10&
    ethanol with the 2006. Just a thought. I know that with my former car, not
    a Prius, it made a difference.
    Ed Morgan, Jun 23, 2009
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    dalv086 New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    Hello guys. I have a Prius 2009 - 1 year old and I'm very disappointing about this car - I bought this car like new. Now I see here many of you get good fuel economy 46 -50 MPG -6.14l/100Km. What I get my self was the best 7l/100Km driving gently , gently and even with the heating AC switched OFF. This was for 180 Km with 13,.. l petrol - I did drive around the city. With the heating on AC ON I got even 8 - 8.5 l/100 km. So I really is like I don't bealive, how you can get 6 l/100km?!:confused:
    dalv086, Dec 9, 2009
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    ksstathead Active Member

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    dalv086, sorry about your results so far. Many things could be derailing your efficiency. I will list a few, and you can start eliminating them as you describe your driving in more detail:

    Tire pressure -door placard pressure is an absolute minimum, many run closer to maximum on tire sidewall or above.

    Driving style/patterns -short trips are a killer, frequent use of EV button, etc.

    Mechanical problem with the car -parking brake dragging, alignment, oil overfill or wrong viscosity, etc.

    Heavily loaded, terrain, ...
    ksstathead, Dec 9, 2009
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    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North

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    Avoid using the battery. It sounds counterintuitive but unless your city is hilly and you can recharge for "free" via regenerative braking, your engine is going to be the one that's charging the battery so it's best to use the engine to power the car.

    Second, check your tyre pressure. You can lose 10% of fuel economy by having underinflated tyres.

    Third, check the oil level. It may be overfilled.

    Fourth, learn the pulse & glide method.


    Fifth, remember what season it is. You're not going to get 4.7L/100km (50mpg) if it's -20°C outside.

    Sixth, read the PDF on the first page of this thread.
    Tideland Prius, Dec 9, 2009
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    Pdub Junior Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    I had the 75k maintenance done last week at the dealer and noticed a small (~.3mpg) decrease in mpg. Could the alignment they did have caused this? Or do you mean being in need of an alignment is a problem?
    Pdub, Dec 14, 2009
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    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    rear wipers are for suckers


    LMAO Mine was wiperless too
    Sandy, Dec 15, 2009
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    spinkao New Member

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    Re: Why Don't I Get The EPA Mileage?

    50MPG (US gallons) is 4.7l/100km (you probably used British gallon in your computation).

    Otherwise - this is weird. I cannot imagine how on Earth do you manage to get such a bad mileage. I think there is definitely something wrong with the car - 8l/100km :eek:? That's ridiculous! Come on, this is a Prius. I regularly get 4.2-4.3 l/100km when I try hard. I got considerably less than 6l/100km even when I was driving like a mad man!

    I would recommend you to visit a dealer or, even better, an experienced Prius owner and have your car checked. A test drive of your car by an experienced Prius driver would be helpful.
    spinkao, Dec 15, 2009
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    tabanjo New Member

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    Mileage

    Hmmm. I've had my '07 for 4 months. As long as I

    keep it under 70
    pay attention to slow acceleration and
    take my time decelerating I get at least 50 mpg.

    If I'm in a rush it quickly goes closer to 40 mpg.
    tabanjo, Jun 16, 2010
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    gusti09 New Member

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    This happened to me also.
    gusti09, Aug 2, 2010
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    Disc Golfer New Member

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    I'm a new prius owner, traded in my 08 tundra for an 09 prius. had it 3 weeks now and am averaging about 42 mpg, loving it so far, still learning about though, wanna get better milage.

    Could someone tell me what the Pulse & Glide method is?

    Thanks
    Disc Golfer, Nov 13, 2010
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