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Perplexed with MPGs, but in a good way

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Dweezil, May 19, 2011.

  1. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

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    So yesterday, I'm down to 1/4 tank and come upon a gas station where gas was a ridiculously low $3.63. This was at a station I normally wouldn't buy gas...but 3.63 reeled me in. I've put roughly 60 miles on the car since then, and my mileage is hovering right around 60mpg. That's a good 8-10 over my average with this type of weather (temp/weather conditions), commute routes, etc.

    Normally, after I fill up, I quickly average out between 50-52mpg (displayed). Right now, I'm at 59. I just don't get it. But, I'm not complaining. I know the only real difference in the gas at this station (QT) v. the gas at Shell or Phillips, etc. is the additives so I would never expect this drastic of a jump. Maybe they just filled their tanks from winter mix to summer mix or something. I do not know...but I'm a happy camper right now.

    Have any of you ever experienced such a drastic jump in mpg like this?
     
    #1 Dweezil, May 19, 2011
  2. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    It's happenstance, a coincidence of other factors. Call back if it holds up over the next 10 tankfuls.
     
    #2 richard schumacher, May 19, 2011
  3. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

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    You're probably right, as I'm pretty sure that one tank of gas can't change my mpg so drastically, and I also know the hypermiling fairie didn't bless me with mad hypermiling skilz overnight.

    BTW...is your avatar "The Dude"? As in "The Dude abides?" lol
     
    #3 Dweezil, May 19, 2011
  4. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    If the car is warmed up, you'll get better mileage, so I usually get great mileage after resetting the display and driving home. But that's only for a couple miles and the next morning everything is back to normal, and it quickly averages back down.
     
    #4 nerfer, May 19, 2011
  5. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

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    Yeah, I was once able to get somewhere around 80 mpg on my 3 mile drive home from the gas station...boy, did that feel good! By the end of the next day, I was at my average 50mpg. Funny how after awhile, you can feel slighted when you're ONLY getting 45-50 mpg. I'm already spoiled. :D
     
    #5 Dweezil, May 19, 2011
  6. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    This is just how averages work. To get 50 mpg, sometimes you get 60 mpg for a short stretch, then 40 mpg for another stretch. Then 70 mpg, and 30 mpg, etc. It averages out.

    Once you have more miles on your odometer, it will work itself out.
     
    #6 sipnfuel, May 19, 2011
  7. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

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    I need to find a route to/from work that is downhill both ways, with the wind at my back. lol

    And one thing I've noticed...I've had exceptionally good luck with traffic lights since I filled up yesterday. I'm sure that is playing a big factor in this anomoly.
     
    #7 Dweezil, May 19, 2011
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You probably got the summer formula gas.
     
    #8 usbseawolf2000, May 19, 2011
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    for some reason, i find that if my first few miles on a tank are high, my whole tank tends to run a bit higher. if it's low, i struggle to get up to my usual averages. our weather has been very unstable this spring and can have a pretty strong effect on mpg's.
     
    #9 bisco, May 19, 2011
  10. sipnfuel

    sipnfuel New Member

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    LOL ... I find it's sometimes better to burn a bit more fuel temporarily and catch up to traffic in front of you. That way you encounter the corridor effect and all the cars are working together to push air.

    I find if you lag behind traffic by 500 feet or so, you can drop 10% in mileage.

    So that is your artificial tailwind there :)
     
    #10 sipnfuel, May 19, 2011
  11. mikewithaprius

    mikewithaprius New Member

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    May the road rise to meet you, may the wind be always at your back, may the sun shine warm upon your face...
     
    #11 mikewithaprius, May 19, 2011
  12. Dweezil

    Dweezil Cat Juggler

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    Guilty as charged. :D I'll do that until I notice the folks staring at me through their rearview mirror...then I find another victim.

    Actually, I would love to conduct an experiment with my buddy who also has a Prius. On some long stretch of highway, I would like to ride nose to tail for a few miles, swap places, and go back and forth like that for awhile just to see what effect it has on our mileage. Sort of like NASCAR on superspeedways this year.
     
    #12 Dweezil, May 19, 2011
  13. GWhizzer

    GWhizzer not so Senior Member

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    I think you must have gotten diesel by mistake. It's common knowledge that it contains more energy. Better check your emissions :)
     
    #13 GWhizzer, May 19, 2011
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