1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Average 60-65 mpg in summer? What do you get in winter?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by markabele, Dec 21, 2015.

  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    For those of you regular Gen3 (non PiP) guys (or gals) that average in the low to mid 60's for MPG during the warmer months of the year....what do you average in the winter for mpg? And what is your yearly average?

    Mostly interested in stats/feedback from those who drive in climates where it can get pretty cold in the winter. Sorry Californians and Southerns. :)

    Thanks in advance for your replies!
     
  2. tpenny67

    tpenny67 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2014
    464
    402
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I'm able to get 60 mpg in the summer without extreme effort. It takes a bit more effort to keep it above 50 mpg in the winter. This is mostly commuting in Massachusetts, where it was brutally cold last winter, and based on calculated MPG when filling up. The MPG displayed on the screen is usually 4 mpg or so more than actual.

    I get my best mileage on the secondary roads where I'm able to use stealth to maintain speed on slight downhills. Winter is a triple whammy. Note only does it take more energy to roll the car on frozen tires, the battery doesn't absorb as much regen when it's cold, and the ICE runs a lot just to keep the car warm. This is my first winter with the scan gauge and I'm actually quite shocked at how low the coolant temperature is when the heater is running.
     
    markabele likes this.
  3. skayaks

    skayaks Active Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2012
    123
    106
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    You could try rummaging around Fuelly for high MPG Gen3 entries and then "Chart all Fuelups"
    (Is it rude to point to a stranger's info on Fuelly?) There's this 2012 from Ontario:
    (Hmmm, Fuelly link isn't working - try searching Fuelly for "minglehill")
    Looks like almost 15mpg hit (from 60+ highs to 45+ highs).
    Not directly relevant, but with my C I lose about 10 mpg, but I travel alone (and cold) when it's possible.
    (I'm so vain about my Fuelly numbers.)
     
    markabele likes this.
  4. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    So you guys would say probably assume at least a 10-15 MPG drop in the winter compared to the warmer months?
     
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I don't get 60-65 mpg (and most do not), but around 5 mpg drop in the winter is more the norm for me driving the same.
     
  6. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
    199
    151
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My first winter with a Prius here in Texas, and so far it's been a very mild one, but was shocked to see a nearly 10mpg drop when temps dipped into the 30s... Was averaging nearly 60mpg on my work commute, which dropped to under 50mpg (from the computer, so probably 5-10% less, actually) in the cold...makes me want to start blocking my grills once it gets even colder.
     
  7. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2013
    1,313
    888
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    My shift is 55-56 in summer down to 49-50 during a Virginia winter, which is far milder than the Northeast USA or Canada.
    (Someone had a beautiful graph of his monthly mpg averages showing the seasonal variations, but I can't locate it right now.)
     
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I beat 60 mpg (indicated) one time "ever" and p-ssed off the entire world to get that. You obviously don't use the freeways to get to work. I too am in DFW and own a 2010 and 2015.
     
    kenichols29 likes this.
  9. Pijoto

    Pijoto Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2015
    199
    151
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I primarily drive on Loop 12 to and from work, about 16 miles each way; when traffic gets heavy and there's a lot of stop and go driving, I tend to get the most MPG's with lots of coasting and trying to use as little braking as possible (leave a lot of space between those in front of me)...probably pisses off those behind me, but whatever :p

    More downhills and easier going traffic going to work is when I average MPGs in the high 60s (computer), while going home is always a bit heavier traffic and more uphills leading to low-mid 50s, so avg is around 60mpgs (probably 56-57 actual) or so when temps are optimal.

    1933652_10207461693276141_5313900430198621151_o.jpg
     
    #9 Pijoto, Dec 21, 2015
    Last edited: Dec 21, 2015
  10. Kramah313

    Kramah313 Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2015
    408
    321
    0
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I am in DFW also but I haven't had my Prius in the summer yet (just bought it in October). I don't think I'm willing to grill block here...I'd be pulling it off one day when it's 80 and putting it back on the next when it's 30 haha. But I have seen about a 3 mpg decrease since late November/December hit
     
    Pijoto likes this.
  11. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2013
    754
    502
    0
    Location:
    WI
    Vehicle:
    2017 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    N/A
    When I was driving a Prius, I got about 57-59 mpg on average (according to the car computer) in the summer. I usually drove the speed limit, and did a lot of pulse and glide as well.

    In winter, I got around 44-47 mpg. It averaged to about 57 mpg overall according to fuelly.

    I was also driving a trim five, which has 17 inch wheels that sapped a few mpg as well. It probably cost me another 2-4 mpg.
     
  12. Devilsbard

    Devilsbard New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2015
    4
    4
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Guess I need to watch some of these driving tip videos because I'm only getting like 48 mpg on average...
     
  13. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    That is more on par with the norm...contrary to what some claim. Your doing fine.
     
    Devilsbard likes this.
  14. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2009
    2,799
    1,170
    0
    Location:
    Auburdale FL
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    61-63 in very mild weather. Summer 63-66.

    Going fast down the interstate with a load maybe 47-49 MPG.
     
  15. tpenny67

    tpenny67 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2014
    464
    402
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I find road choice has a lot to do with MPG. Ideal is a road with a 30-40 mph speed limit and gentle hills. Just driving a steady speed with traffic means you're pulsing to maintain speed up the hills and then coasting down the other side. It's like shooting fish in a barrel, especially in warm weather.

    Steep hills and interstate speeds really hurt MPGs (Captain Obviously is in the building :)
     
  16. PosauneGuy

    PosauneGuy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2011
    117
    87
    0
    Location:
    California, here I come...
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    One state over...on my 2011 Prius, I average low 50s during the summer and low 40s during the winter. It's about a 20% hit, which was roughly the same percentage drop for my old non-hybrids (Corolla and Accord).
     
  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    You think a lot of people lie on here about their actual fuel economy?

    To be honest, during the warmer months you almost have to try to not get above 50.
     
  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2010
    4,297
    2,347
    33
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Make what ever inference you like...but I own two. Not in normal city/freeway driving.
     
  19. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2012
    5,084
    1,782
    1
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    If you are ok driving like everyone else, yes. And as you know, the vast majority of drivers drive extremely stupid. (hard acceleration, hard braking)
     
    Robert Holt likes this.
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,473
    38,104
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Here's a year's run, going July to July. Suprisingly little difference; it is somewhat erratic, our driving varies a lot. Several factors could contribute to the minimal drop in winter:

    1. Switch from Michelin Pilot 215/45R17 to Michelin X-Ice2 195/65R15 every winter.
    2. Use a block heater year 'round, and grill block through winter.
    3. We're on the west coast, relatively mild winters.

    Capture.JPG