Disappointed

Don't forget to check tire pressures whenever the average outdoor temp changes more than 20'F or so, and at least monthly in any case. Squishy tires noticeably reduce MPGs.

 

Yea thanks, I actually check my pressure every month. But maybe of the days when its cold ill do it too..

 

I don't think that is rude at all. It just shows that regardless of how good your mileage is if it drops you will be disappointed.

My advice is accelerate harder, you are most likely spending too much time accelerating by accelerating slowly.

Who said by driving a Prius they are no longer driving a "gas only vehicle"
Sorry to break it to you but unless you have a plug in conversion your Prius is "gas only".

BTW, why do Americans call petrol gas when it is obviously a liquid?

 

Those short trips really kill, and it's been cold here in Illinois (you really need to add that to your profile, as that makes a big difference in operation) - for Pat's info, it was at -22'C here for over the weekend, today it's a balmy -8'C. That's one big difference between the two of you. Length of commute might be another important difference.

Another option for elcorazon - have you tried using neutral when coasting during the first mile of operation? That gives a temporary boost to mpg, but might reduce the battery level over time since the battery won't be recharged while in neutral (question for the experts: is that recharge by regen only, or both regen and from ICE?). So I'm not sure how much using neutral helps, but it could be worth testing. We need to have another Chicagoland get-together and we could talk things over in more detail, maybe even have a test drive. TonyPSchaefer is always helpful.

Because that's short for gasoline, which is the specific output of petroleum processing used in this type of engine (as opposed to diesel or jet fuel). You call it petrol, short for petroleum which is the raw, unprocessed form and technically incorrect, since that obviously would gunk up an engine very quickly if you actually used real petrol in a gas engine!

 

The real measure is gallons per month.

That's your carbon footprint, and what you're paying to terrorist-friendly countries, and you can bet that the people getting 55+ mpg are going thru a lot more gallons in a month than you are.

Don't worry about trying to get more than 300 miles in a tank, you're filling up what, once a month? Every 6 weeks? It's not that inconvenient to fill up a few days earlier. That said, it's still a good idea to try to improve your mileage, but realistically no car will get good mileage only going 5 miles a day. What you need is an electric vehicle for the winter (if they were easy to get), and for the rest of the year an electric bicycle or a regular bicycle, or just good shoes.

 

It would be best to walk, but we know how things are.... Yes, it's always better in terms of emissions and fuel consumption to take the Prius. Whichever one you use don't let it sit iding to "warm it up" before you go or while you're shopping.

 

I also have had the same experience. We first got the 2008 prius in November. we got great mileage for two months but then got a flat tire. After it was fixed our fuel economy went down from 47 to 37. Our weather is in the 60-70's all year long so there should not be a temperature issue. We brought it in and they did not find anything wrong and had nothing to say. we are lucky to get over 40 mpg. Bid disappointment. We drive very conservative and have not changed our driving style. Our air pressure is good too.

 

Turn off your heater. That will give you a few mpg. The heater will force the engine to keep running at stoplights and when coasting. You are only in your car for a few minutes each morning, so just keep your coat on.

Block heater will help.

Parking your car inside will help too.

You are basically screwed because of your very short trips and cold temperatures. I am surprised you get as good of mileage as you do.