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Overly anxious to fill up

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013.

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  1. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    With all the post about great MPG, I have been trying hard-er to get my mpg improved. As you can see in my sig, only at 43(actual). It's been tough as I had to change routes and watch driving habits. So this tank, I feel I am finally making way very anxious to validate it! So far with 4 bars left on the tank, I'm at 48mph per computer.

    What I make of my poor(er) mpg than average PC member is the short commute(7.5 miles) and hills. Hills clearly kill mpg as I watch it drop a few tenth every time! I also live on top of a steep hill. That hill alone drops it a few tenths.

    Anyhow, if I read all the reviews right, DO not fill up early as that doesn't help MPG correct?
     
    #1 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
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  2. Blu-ray

    Blu-ray Blizzard Brigade #215

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    48 MPG huh? I think I'm right at 50 but that's because I had one tank where I drove like an idiot and used PWR mode most of the time. With practice you can get much higher MPGs.

    EDIT: Ok 49.9. But still. Close enough to 50. Just keep at it and you could be one of the people on here getting 60MPG.
     
    #2 Blu-ray, Apr 17, 2013
  3. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    well I said 48mpg per computer not calculated.. it will probably be 46 calcuated... so from 43 to 46 perhaps?
     
    #3 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
  4. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    Hills can be good for mileage. Use some EV on the flatland and get some recharge going down hill. Works well in the non-plug-in and even better in the plug-in. Of course if its all at highway speeds, not so much.
     
    #4 CaliforniaBear, Apr 17, 2013
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You're doing fine considering a short commute, hills, 17" wheels, brand new car AND SF weather. You'll do better this summer when temps are regularly in the 70s or higher and the car is broken in. The extra fuel in the tank is not going to significantly affect mpg so just fill up when you need to. Don't worry about the extra weight.
     
    #5 F8L, Apr 17, 2013
  6. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Hills help mpg? that's a new one..

    What are optimal temps for better or not reduced mpg? It's never been below 50's here during the day since I bought the Prius. It's been warm in my opinion.

    I'm just one bar below half tank.. so no need for a while.. just anxious to see validate.
     
    #6 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
  7. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    You're right, that's too broad a statement. It doesn't work in all cases It does depend on the terrain. Short steep up and long not so steep down works really well without considering the use of EV. If you can use the battery charge gained going down hill that's even better. Yes, all the energy is coming from the gas but with a heavy load going up the ICE is most efficient. At least that has been my experience comparing flatland driving to trips in the Sierra mountains and foothills.
     
    #7 CaliforniaBear, Apr 17, 2013
  8. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    "hills" and small one at that, not mountains!
     
    #8 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
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  9. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I do agree that small hills are better however here are my mountain results.
    In a Prius Three
    [​IMG]

    In a Prius Plug-in Basic Having that big battery to charge downhill is a real advantage. And, of course, a big help on the first (small) leg of the trip.
    [​IMG]
     
    #9 CaliforniaBear, Apr 17, 2013
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I see the biggest jump at 70F+. Seems like the threshold for higher mpg is about 60F. Mpg at 90F is quite nice if you can handle the heat! Hahaha
     
    #10 F8L, Apr 17, 2013
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  11. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Those are mountain not hills.. SF hills are no comparison as you can't regen back anywhere close to that! lol!

    wow.. 90F.. doesn't the use of AC offset that efficiency?

    Either way, so far "I'm not worthy!" with the mpg you guys are getting.
     
    #11 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Who uses AC? :p

    My girlfriend does and it kills my FE on trips! Grrrr
     
    #12 F8L, Apr 17, 2013
  13. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Got ya! kink in the hypermiler's armor.. :)
     
    #13 Sfcyclist, Apr 17, 2013
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  14. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    If she wore less clothing on the drive she would be cooler......:)
     
    #14 KK6PD, Apr 17, 2013
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  15. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    Are you serious, no AC when it's in the 90's? got to be kidding...

    At 48.5 per computer.. still 4 bars of fuel left!
     
    #15 Sfcyclist, Apr 18, 2013
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I'm dead serious. When it gets over 100F I start to think about AC. The flow through method works quite well up to about that point. Anything above 100F and you are also putting your HV battery at risk so even if you are hardcore I do not recommend keeping the AC off just for fuel economy unless it is a short trip.

    Remember, us valley folk are used to hot weather. You coastal people are used to mist, fog and moderate temps. :p
     
    #16 F8L, Apr 18, 2013
  17. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    It was in the 80's here over the weekend.. and AC was on! We were driving the other car so no matter.

    So far 385 miles, 48.5mpg and still 2 bars left of fuel. Even if computer calculation is generous, I doubt no more than 3 mpg , this would still be my best tank. Would be awesome if I can hit 500. Wasn't too long ago, I was amazed at 400 to the tank. Not that it was impossible with Prius but it's just new to me. Best I can do in my old BMW was low 300's and that's with more fuel.

    BTW, what I changed to improve was psi, routes and techniques. PSI was up'ed to 40/38. Routes were changed to less freeway and using frontage roads were I can cruise at 30-40mph. Techniques, maximize glide and less use of "B".
     
    #17 Sfcyclist, Apr 22, 2013
  18. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    You should drive the Prius in warm weather, it loves it!

    B mode is evil. Do not use it. The only time I've used B mode is descending Hwy 17 where I know the battery bar will fill up to the top and I don't want to ride the brakes downhill. When the battery bar fills up completely (as much as the car will allow) you won't see the horizontal bar go to the recharge section.

    B mode will up the regeneration, but it also gets rid of excess energy
     
    #18 Codyroo, Apr 22, 2013
  19. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Last summer we went to Reno NV from Seaside, roundtrip. Three adults in car with luggage. AC was used
    at least 50% of the time. Calculated MPG was over 50 mpg for the entire trip. I have noticed that cold
    rainy weather has more of an effect on MPG's than warm weather with AC use...
     
    #19 alfon, Apr 22, 2013
  20. Sfcyclist

    Sfcyclist Senior Member

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    nice.. average speed?
     
    #20 Sfcyclist, Apr 22, 2013
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