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I'm a new owner

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by DennisPaul, Nov 5, 2010.

  1. DennisPaul

    DennisPaul New Member

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    2009 Prius
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    I just got my 2009 Prius and I love her. However, I'm confused. I picked up the car (used) on Saturday and the fuel gauge showed full. It is now Friday, almost a week later and I have just less than 1/2 tank left and I drive almost everywhere in "B" mode. It just seems that a car that should be getting so much MPG's shouldn't be using so much gas so quickly. Any ideas on what is going on or what I should be doing? Of course my car did not come with an owners manual, so I am off to Toyota to see about downloading and printing one. Any advice you can give is helpful, thanks!!

    Dennis
     
    #1 DennisPaul, Nov 5, 2010
  2. boppo

    boppo Active Member

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    I think driving in B is your problem, that is only used for steep down hill grades.
     
    #2 boppo, Nov 5, 2010
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    :welcome:

    You may be 1500 miles (Denver CO) from needing B mode, ever.

    The point of B mode is to waste energy going down steep hills, with more than a 600 foot drop, so the brakes do not heat up as much once the HV Battery is full. (Similar to L in a 'normal' Automatic) The mean elevation of Maryland is 344 feet.

    John1701a has compiled a user guide that helped me as a new owner.

    John's Stuff - Toyota Prius User-Guide

    I would start measuring gas mileage from your favorite pump, back to that same pump.
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Nov 5, 2010
  4. DennisPaul

    DennisPaul New Member

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    Now see...the guy at the dealership told me that I should always drive in B mode! So I shouldn't be driving in B mode, I should just drive in regular mode? So frustrating! I guess I don't understand the hybrid part then, isn't the B mode Battery? Wow, I look like such a moron right now...I'm clueless!
     
    #4 DennisPaul, Nov 5, 2010
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    First of all, congrats on your Prius!!
    And welcome to Priuschat!! :welcome:

    Secondly, I very very VERY rarely say this about anyone except in rare occasions and only when absolutely appropriate, accurate and needed to prove a point but here it goes: ". . .that's because he's an idiot."
     
    #5 TonyPSchaefer, Nov 5, 2010
  6. ITGuy1024

    ITGuy1024 Junior Member

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    lol.. battery mode.. The B stands for Brake (engine brake).
     
    #6 ITGuy1024, Nov 5, 2010
  7. DennisPaul

    DennisPaul New Member

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    2009 Prius
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    Told ya I was a moron....well, thats what the dealer said! Thank God I actually asked...now I know.
     
    #7 DennisPaul, Nov 5, 2010
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah.. chances are, the engine wasn't shutting off in "B". It was still idling at the traffic light. Just put it in D like any other automatic and treat "B" as "L" or "2" in an automatic. It's good for going down long grades and you want to use the engine braking to save wear (And to minimise heat fade) on the brake pads.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Nov 5, 2010
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