Improving Fuel Economy AND Performance together on 2004 Toyota Prius

I may have been unclear, I programmed x-gauges into the Scangauge, not into the car's computers. The X-gauges allow you to see model specific values that are not standard in every car. The Prius has many values unique to that car, X- gauges allow you to see them, you can spy on what the computers are discussing amoung themselves.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...uge-how-area-please-share-your-knowledge.html

Passive x-Gauges only snoop, active x-gauges prompt the computers to generate a value they would not normally show. There is slightly more risk with an active x-gauge. Some folks can change the back up beep settings with an active x-gauge.

 

I know of nobody here who has converted a Prius to run on CNG. I used to think Pickens plan was a good idea since it seemed like it wasn't that much effort for an automaker to converter a gasoline powered car to run on CNG. After reading a bunch of stuff I ended up posting at http://priuschat.com/forums/other-c...atural-gas-vehicles-were-so-slow-fill-up.html, I'm not so sure anymore.

I'm getting kind of confused by your posts (but haven't read this thread that carefully). You seem to only be able to afford an 04 Prius and can't even afford an 06 (not that an 06 will yield better mileage) but yet you seem to want to dump a bunch of money into dubious mods or going into uncharted territory. I'd say, don't bother for now. Get the car, block your grille until it's too warm to do so, get a ScanGauge and EBH.

Once you get used to the car, then study up and practice some of the mileage improvement techniques and adopting some of http://www.cleanmpg.com/cmps_index.php?page=hypermiling that you're comfortable with (and that can be done on a Prius). Some are totally safe, free and easy like parking face-out.

You can consider some handling mods, but they definitely won't improve your mileage.

There are many running lists of XGauge values but it seems the one at https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AiHL0r_2nhUEdF9lVVBxOVNoN3Zva3E0NmdZTUR1eVE&hl=en#gid=5 is the most complete (under the Prius Gen II XGauges tab).

Other useful aspects of the SG are that it's basically required if you want to try to drive in "Super Highway Mode" (see links at http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...angauge-best-threads-mileage-improvement.html). You need to maintain IGN 13-15, and you'd need a tool like SG to see IGN (ignition timing values). Also, being able to see coolant temperature (FWT on SG), and better manage your heater use (and thus improve your mileage), when the ICE is cold. If you want to read about the gory details (might seem abstract), see http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/91431-one-3.html#post1287385.

Since you asked "on a scale of 1-10, how much does the scanguage help you be a better driver?" Hmm... that's a tough one. It gives me insight into a some things that are going on and made me realize that some of my assumptions were wrong. It's somewhere between a 4 and 7 for me, it's just so hard to say and really depends on whether you can take advantage of techniques safely.

For instance, I found SHM unsuitable for my commute in CA (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...y-mode-alternative-65-75-mph-range-hints.html). I now do a lot of short city drives, so it's totally N/A now. When I'm on the highway in WA, the speeds and speed limits are lower, so I'm in a more suitable speed range. But, there's usually too much traffic around me to be able to safely focus on maintaining the proper IGN value. It takes quite a bit of concentration for me.

BTW, you may as well set a price alert at Amazon price tracker, Amazon price history charts, price watches, and price drop alerts. | camelcamelcamel.com for ScanGauge.

 

EBH == Engine Block Heater

It's debatable but if you use any active (solicited aka non-passive) codes, I suppose you run the risk of throwing a code. See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...olicited-gauges-hot-pugging-warnings-etc.html and http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...iately-got-these-error-codes.html#post1287119.

I definitely do have some solicited XGauges programmed into mine...

 

If you don't have short commutes all the time and you're into learning hypermiling, you could top 50 mpg easily, especially since you have a warmer climate down in sweet old Georgia. I have some terribly annoying hills and cold-ish weather to deal with and still seem to be able to keep that as the mileage floor in the worst of conditions. You'll also get better at driving it from any test drive. In my few months of ownership I've been able to get 15-30% better on more recent tanks compared to first ones, in similar temperatures. My "mods" have cost me a few dollars, literally - around 40 psi and stuffed some pipe insulation into my grill.

I get where you're coming from, trying to have fun with the car...I think though you'll find plenty o' satisfaction and fun from the ever-evolving game of driving it more efficiently.

 

All those products are useless in a Prius. Nothing can be done to a Prius to increase MPGs, and increased-power mods blow the emissions to hell. If you want a project car get a used Honda.

 

Did you make your 55 mpg goal?

 

Interesting read--and resurrection!

I find that you can do some pretty spirited driving and get good fuel economy by focusing on maintaining momentum once you have it. I've been experimenting with pretty spirited acceleration, racing lines around the corners where possible (fun and helps preserve momentum) combined with efficient steady-state cruising/coasting and minimal braking. The lowest tank has been 51 mpg (cold temps and snowy roads) but it's usually in the high-50s and sometimes over 60 mpg in warmer weather (grippy, non-LRR tires at 35psi r/38psi front).

I'm glad you've changed your mind on the modifications. I've found a few that helped on the old 4wd, but the vast majority of mods are just big $$$ and disappointment.

 

I had a stock 2006 Civic EPA rated at 36 mpg highway and I could average 40 mpg easy keeping up with traffic in the left lane going 75-90 mph. If I moved to the right lane and hung out with big rigs, I got 45 mpg. The only hypermiling technique I followed was Driving Without Brakes (DWB). The long following distance pisses off left lane drivers so I often stayed out of the left lane.

I researched grill blocking, pizza pie hubcaps, etc. But what I found was "enhancing my calm" is the biggest bang for your buck in terms of fuel economy. The more relaxed I am the more sedately I drive. The more anxious and stressed I am, the faster I drive.

How do you relax yourself?

1. Give yourself plenty of time. I arrive at work or whatever destination at least 15 minutes before I need to. If there is extra traffic, no biggie.
2. $15 Audible membership. Harry Potter on audio book saved me a lot of money. Alternatively listen to podcasts for free. Sometimes I wished there was more traffic or drove slower so I could hear the ending.

 

please don't mention npr here, it just perpetuates the myth.

 

spell check must have been written by a conservative.

 

Just food for thought. My last road trip in my 2008 with stock 16s and with the full exhaust mods I was able to have a trip average of 50.48mpg...doing +65mph

The exhaust seems to have given my butt-dyno-meter a bit of a boost in performance at higher rpms.