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I Beat the EPA--Post 'em here

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by efusco, Apr 14, 2004.

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  1. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    To keep the size of the thread to a minumum only post your best tank, not every tank that you've gotten that's met or exceeded the EPA numbers. I'd like this to be a lingering thread that we can direct folks that complain that there's something wrong with the Prius or the EPA or whatever so we can say " LOOK, All these people did it...it can be done"

    FWIW,
    This tank was achieved at temps averaging around 53 degrees F in mixed rural driving daily commutes of about 3 miles back and forth to drop off/pick up kids from school and about 12 miles to work and then back. Lots of rolling hills, hwy speeds up to about 62mph and at least 5-10 stops along the way. The tank only took 9.1 gallons, but the last bar had been flashing for the last 43 miles.
     
    #1 efusco, Apr 14, 2004
    NortTexSalv04Prius, PriusBull and mtonguebath like this.
  2. JJay

    JJay New Member

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    Hey, I noticed your Prius' consumption screen is different than what I've seen; no temp, no 0-25-50-75-100 between the graphs.

    Custom or newer software version?

    Accessory mode?
     
    #2 JJay, Apr 14, 2004
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Accessory mode...had to get the camera out of the bag and didn't want to leave in IgOn, guess that extra stuff doesn't show up in Acc mode.
    --evan
     
    #3 efusco, Apr 15, 2004
  4. rockluvr

    rockluvr New Member

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    That's a lovely site, Evan. Congratulations! Hope I can see that screen soon. :love:
     
    #4 rockluvr, Apr 15, 2004
  5. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    Impressive!!!

    Question??

    Evan (or anyone else). When I noticed the mileage travelled it raised a question for me. It seems that when I refill the tank the computer resets automatically which is great. BUT it also seems to automatically and strangely want to reset at around 400 miles. Never have seen anything high than 400. Have done a total of 3 tank fills. Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have an explaination?
     
    #5 jchu, Apr 15, 2004
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Do you mean it resets at 400 miles BEFORE you refill? That is very odd and not at all normal. You're sure your wife or kids isn't hitting the rest button on you?
     
    #6 efusco, Apr 15, 2004
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  7. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    Yes, before anyone fiddles with the gas tank and without touching the reset button. Seems to just happen. Very annoying.

    My Wife swears that she isn't hitting the reset button. I was in it on one of the occasions that it happened. Noted the change when toggling back to the consumption screen. As for the kids, they are all 4 legged (dogs) and have not been allowed in the pristine prius yet.

    Jon
     
    #7 jchu, Apr 15, 2004
  8. mboileau

    mboileau New Member

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    The average MPG does reset by itself if you clear your tripmeter. For me, this wasn't intuitive since clearing the tripmeter is done by pressing and holding the trip/odo button which is separate from the MFD.

    The second oddity about this is that even when you do clear the tripmeter using the trip/odo button and the odo reads 0, the consumption screen will continue to show the old tripmeter value and MPG *until* you start driving the car again, and then it zeroes itself out.

    So the question is whether or not you're playing with the tripmeter....
     
    #8 mboileau, Apr 15, 2004
  9. jchu

    jchu New Member

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    Can't remember but that is a definite possibility. Have fiddled including to reset the Maintenence Req'd light when I changed the oil!! :idea:
     
    #9 jchu, Apr 15, 2004
  10. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Last tank was best tank. 52.6 mpg by the calculator, 56.5 by the computer.

    2003 Prius
     
    #10 Wolfman, Apr 15, 2004
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  11. jimvitz

    jimvitz Junior Member

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    Just before fillup on 4/20/04:[/img]

    Last bar began blinking at 427 miles. Got a little nervous, but still only took 9.2 gallons for fill up. This one will be hard to beat.

    Update as of 5/5/04: I did beat it, but not by much.

    Last tank was 465 miles, 57.7 mpg (displayed), and 55.6 mpg (calculated).
    Lifetime stats are now 2494 miles, 49.2 mpg.
     
    #11 jimvitz, Apr 20, 2004
  12. Brian

    Brian Member

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    So, as time and miles are added to the car, should we start expecting great mileage like most of you?

    Thanks
    Brian
     
    #12 Brian, Apr 20, 2004
  13. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    I'm wondering if the warmer weather isn't partially to explain for the better MPG reported here. (Though I think both the Prius and the driver's greater experience probably is a major reason for the improved results as well.)
     
    #13 bookrats, Apr 20, 2004
  14. Brian

    Brian Member

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    That is good. I am anxious to start seeing those numbers, while I am down here in the low 40's.

    Brian
     
    #14 Brian, Apr 20, 2004
  15. rflagg

    rflagg Member

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    Other *major* factors that play into the higher mileage is your length of trips, running A/C, and the terrain you drive on. Since I drive close to 50 miles each way to work, I can easily average 50mpg - however if your jaunt to work only takes 5 or 10 minutes before you're able to make back that initial ICE startup, you'll have a hard time getting to the EPA mpg. Keep at it thought, continue to watch the screen (and the road!) and try your best to improve your driving skills - keeping the "no arrows" screen up as much as possible, brisk or short runs for the ICE, try to keep the A/C on lowest setting if you're using it, if not have it off (or just the fan). All these things will help you not only with your mileage, but in general become a better more aware driver.

    -m.
     
    #15 rflagg, Apr 20, 2004
  16. Brian

    Brian Member

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    I am really trying to up those numbers.
    Thanks For the advice.
    Brian
     
    #16 Brian, Apr 20, 2004
  17. jasond

    jasond New Member

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    I'm at 60.5 mpg at 100 miles.. hope I can keep it up for another 400! I'll post here one way or another :)
     
    #17 jasond, Apr 21, 2004
  18. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Who says us classic owners can't compete with the 04's?

    This is what I have on the car right now after pulling into the driveway. :mrgreen:

    Even better, the tank has just under 250 miles on it.
     
    #18 Wolfman, Apr 25, 2004
  19. Rick Reece

    Rick Reece New Member

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    Averaged 70.8 mpg for 515 miles in my commute today. Predominately used a 35% engine load letting the speed vary but always above 50 mph. Have fun, Rick
     
    #19 Rick Reece, Apr 25, 2004
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  20. rflagg

    rflagg Member

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    Well, I'm sure Evan will have me beat on this, but here's my latest tank:

    501 miles
    52.4 mpg
    (and I got another 10.15 gallons into the tank, hooray!)

    -m.
     
    #20 rflagg, Apr 26, 2004
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