New 2011 not getting expected MPG even with adjusted driving techniques

Given that you're doing 80 to 120 mile trips on weekends, that ought to put you right back over 50 MPG, at least indicated.

Something's not right.

I've heard stories of Prius' getting low 40's with extended driving, but never seen it in at least a dozen Prius.

 

On the uphill drive from Monterey to SJ via Hwy 101N, I average 43-45. If I continue driving to SF, 49-50 is quite realistic. So, it really depends on the speed, weather and terrain. I typically drive 70-72 mph.

MB860 ?

 

Just filled up my 2011 for the 2nd time since we bought it. I didn't calculate the 1st tank since it was filled up at the dealership. Anyway, my calculation for my most-recent tank was 46.5 mpg in my 2011 Package 5 w/ 17s.

As you can tell (since I've only filled up twice since December), that most of my trips are very short trips. Plus, it's been in the 20s and 30s here in Denver for the last week or so. Plus I don't have LRR tires. Mine came with the Bridgestone Turanzas.

Based on everything I just read, the short trips, the cold temps, and the non-LRRs are affecting my mileage. Either way, I'm very pleased with the 46.5mpgs. Sounds like I'm right on target. Very helpful thread. Thanks!

 

Interesting observation on a road trip yesterday when driving from louisiana to Florida. Speeds were constant and so was temperature. When I filled up in Louisiana I didn't see what the ethanol level was but in Florida when I got ten percent ethanol my mpg dropped by 7%. Is there ethanol at racetrack in Louisiana?

 

I'm driving a Gen II, but my daughter has a new Gen III. She has found her best mileage comes in normal mode, which I understand you get with none of the buttons pressed. She's in Ohio, but has a mostly freeway commute of about 40 miles each way, and is getting around 48-50 mpg.
I agree that the short trips are killing your mileage. Maybe you have the same end result with your car by setting the temperature to "LO" and "turning off the fan". But on mine, I switch the climate system off entirely, so that the ICE doesn't run just to heat up the cabin on these cold mornings. I make a couple of short trips each day, starting at 6 am, driving about a mile and a half, then repeating it around 8 am. (Old retired guys' coffee group). I am still averaging around 53-54 mpg, in spite of the cold temps this time of year. The Gen III is supposed to get better mileage than the II.
The only hypermiling thing I do is really watch the signal lights, coasting when it makes sense, and using pulse and glide techniques whenever traffic conditions allow.

 

Picked up a 2011 Prius Two with six miles on it on Jan. 31 at a dealership in Pennsylvania. Drove it back to New York and then left for a trip to Georgia two days later.

I didn't check the tire pressure and still haven't, so it's whatever the dealer-prep guys set it at. Tires are the stock Yokohama Avids on the stock wheels.

I hand calculate all my mileage by dividing the reading on the trip odometer by gallons pumped.

First fillup, all interstate driving, was at 481.1 miles on the trip odo, which I set to zero before leaving the dealership with a full tank of gas. I put in 10.018 gallons, so the mileage was 48, which is what the window sticker rates the Prius's highway mileage at. These conditions apply to all of my four fillups so far: All driving in Normal mode, except for occasional Power mode-button presses to assist in on-ramp merges. Once I was at highway speed, I returned to Normal mode. Outside temps: mid-30s to low 50s; driving no more than 5 mph over the speed limit. No hypermiling techniques used. Cargo and passenger weight: about 170 or 180 pounds. Roads: clear and dry.

Second fillup, again all interstate driving but this time with much more time spent with the cruise control set at 75 mph (speed limit is 70 mph in parts of the South): 423.6 miles and 9.779 gallons = 43.31 MPG.

Third fillup, all interstate driving: 484.4 miles and 10.03 gallons = 48.29 MPG. On this tank, I literally hit "O MI" on the "miles to empty" display, and I think, judging from the engine noise, that the gas engine had indeed run out of gas. Fortunately, I was coasting right into a gas station! Whew! It was an off brand, and there was a Citgo right across the street, but I didn't want to risk trying to drive it across the street and not being able to, so I used the off-brand gas.

Fourth fillup, all interstate driving, this time none above 65 mph: 501.5 miles and 9.738 gallons = 51.49 MPG. Couldn't believe I cracked 500 miles on a tank of gas and the 50-MPG mark.

I'm still on that tank, with I think about 424 miles on the trip odometer and about 110 miles to empty, according to the digital dashboard display.

I've got no complaints about the Prius's mileage. It's pretty astounding to realize that when the trip odometer gets to 200 miles or so, I've still got another 200 to 300 miles left before I'll have to hit the gas station.

 

Welcome to Prius! I hope you're enjoying the ride!

You should not let your gas tank run empty like that, nor should you try to overfill your gas tank. Fill to the first pump click-off only. Running the tank empty or nearly empty creates too much opportunity for condensation and dirt to enter the fuel injectors, while over-filling the gas tank can flood and damage the charcoal canister used by the evaporative emissions control system, which can reduce mileage and increase pollution.

 

Thanks, vegeto626 and Rebound. What level do you recommend not going beyond? When the last pip starts flashing?

 

Yep, that's the way I've always calculated my mileage. Pretty amazing figures from the Prius!

 

Hey, what does "seating the beads" mean?

 

The Bead sits in the wheel and makes an airtight seal with the wheel. To install a new tire you break the bead on the old tire then seat the bead on the new tire. You usually break the bead with a metal rod, and seat the bead with high pressure air.

 

Thanks. I appreciate the visual, too!
I suppose I could have looked this up on Wikipedia.