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gas gauge down 4 bars after only 71 miles?!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by prof.curnon, Nov 12, 2014.

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  1. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Bought our 2005 in January. Immediately got DOUBLE the mileage of our previous car. Oddly, I was not happy. Now we get 40-50 mpg most of the time, unless we make a zillion short trips in the middle of winter.
     
    #21 kenoarto, Nov 12, 2014
  2. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    it's all about expectations, isn't it? I wasn't getting very high mpg's with my 92 integra, so I have super HIGH expectations for the prius. I hope after a couple more tanks of gas and some arithmetic I'll have a better idea of what the mpg's are, but dang it, I was planning on making a zillion short trips this winter! ;)
     
    #22 prof.curnon, Nov 12, 2014
  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I've been measuring miles per "pip" and, after the first pip, it averages 25-30 miles per PiP at 50 MPG (less at lower MPG).
    Sometimes the very first pip lasts as long as 150 miles that's rare for me to get that a good fill-up like that.
    If someone filled the tank on the low side, you could lose the first pip fast, and then be losing PiPs fast after that.
    Towards 2 or 3 pips you get some longer intervals.
     
    #23 wjtracy, Nov 13, 2014
  4. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    ok, I just checked my consumption. it's only at 24.6 mpg's!! for 117 miles, so I'm assuming the dealership put 46 miles on it before I took it home. any ideas why it's so low, when I've been driving super carefully, if sporadically? the weather's been cold (freezing today), but that's just in the last 24 hours...
     
    #24 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  5. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    to clarify -- by sporadically, I mean I only drive occasionally (not everyday), not that I lurch down the road!
     
    #25 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  6. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    asked and answered.
     
    #26 kenoarto, Nov 14, 2014
  7. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    I did? so are you telling me that 24 mpg's is normal for a prius in winter??
     
    #27 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  8. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    At the risk of being rude, please read take some additional time to read everything you can about hypermiling and then wait at least a couple tanks of gas. You can not accurately calculate your mileage without refilling your gas tank twice.
     
    #28 kenoarto, Nov 14, 2014
  9. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    not at all -- I appreciate you taking the time to point me in the right direction. it's a steep learning curve for someone who just graduated from a conventional car -- a 22 year old analog one at that. mea culpa for assuming that the technology inherent in hybrids would result in magically high mpg's. apparently, I've got some homework to do!
     
    #29 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  10. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    That's very low! Is this number from the prius average screen or is this hand calculated?
     
    #30 Aaron Vitolins, Nov 14, 2014
  11. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Have you considered grill blocking? (useing foam pipe insulation to block cold air, so engine heats up quicker, stays hot, so you get better mpgs) you can search Google for all sorts articles on prius grill blocking
     
    #31 Aaron Vitolins, Nov 14, 2014
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  12. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Watch "Engine Blocking in the Prius" on YouTube
    Engine Blocking in the Prius:
     
    #32 Aaron Vitolins, Nov 14, 2014
  13. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    The Prius has low MPG the first 5 minutes due to warm up....if alls you do is short trips of 5 miniues, low MPG is possible, especially in winter,
     
    #33 wjtracy, Nov 14, 2014
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  14. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    A cold Prius gets regular, small engine, non hybrid MPG in the first five-ten minutes. FYI: In the winter, warming up the car, with the heat on, while not driving, takes a predictable high toll on calculated mileage--it's simple math. Learn how to "Pulse and glide"
     
    #34 kenoarto, Nov 14, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2014
  15. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    How did you arrive at this number? Is it the average of three tankfuls I recommended earlier off Fuelly.com?
    Yes several ideas, but you are going to have to tell us about your driving. Speeds, Distances, Elevation gains, Weather.
    "I've been driving super carefully" this sounds like you have not been driving it wisely. Get up to cruising speed, then cruise. You save gas by rarely using the brakes, not by accelerating forever.
     
    #35 JimboPalmer, Nov 14, 2014
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  16. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    straight from the "consumption" screen. curiously, there were no bars...
     
    #36 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  17. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    never heard of grill blocking -- will have to try it. thanks for the tip!
     
    #37 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  18. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    I DO take short trips, but more than 5 minutes (more on the order of 10-15). it IS city driving, though... can't really avoid stop signs and red lights to engage P&G. :(
     
    #38 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  19. prof.curnon

    prof.curnon Junior Member

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    got the number straight from the "consumption" screen. haven't gone through the first tank yet; will wait another 2 tanks before I dive into full-on hysteria. :)

    as for my driving style, I drive mostly in the city in stop 'n go traffic with speed limits of 25 upward to 40. most trips are shorter (10-15 min), mostly flat distances (except for the freeway). weather has been cool -- 40s down to 30s. when I say I drive carefully, I mean I don't gun it from stops, nor speed; I follow at a safe distance, etc. no lead feet here. :)

    what I *didn't* know is that driving a prius IS different from driving a conventional car -- now that I've read up on "hypermiling," I will definitely have to employ those techniques for maximizing fuel efficiency, but my concern is that there is something amiss mechanically (or electronically, as it were), since I purchased my prius from the honda dealership (it was a trade in) and they might not be as familiar with the toyota hybrid system as their own, not to mention that it had been sitting on the lot for a month...

    I will follow your advice and wait a few tanks and try the techniques (without pissing off other drivers!) and report back.
     
    #39 prof.curnon, Nov 14, 2014
  20. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    To put that fear to rest, cruise 50 miles, turn around and cruise back. That should let you know what the car is capable of. Multnomah Falls is nice. I am hoping to visit the falls on Nov 24, then drive up the Oregon and Washington coast.
     
    #40 JimboPalmer, Nov 14, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2014
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