Seat position improves fuel economy?

Use cruise control and see what happens in different seat positions.

 

I dont think anything would happen Kittie. I think Jammin was surmising that it might provide data on wether you were indeed just pushing the go peddle too much. I know that if I sit too close forward in any car I push harder on the peddle.

You may be doing the same and using more gas to go the same relative speeds. It doesnt sound natural to do the same speed with less peddle but the Scan Gauge has shown me that it does happen.

Sit back, relax a bit, and enjoy the better mpg!

 

To maximize mpg and be one with your Prius, take off your right shoe when you drive. You will be surprised. And don't respond with how illegal that is... Bulloney

 

I'm 5'9" and my wife is 5'1" and I always get better FE than she does so the seat position must be the reason.

 

It's not illegal. Most states have some sort of catch-all law about safe driving that could apply if your shoeless state actually caused an accident, but other than that it's one of those urban legends about it being illegal to drive barefoot. Likewise with being barefoot and shirtless in grocery stores. In most locations the workres in the store are required to wear shirts and shoes, but not the customers. However, the stores are allowed by policy to ban shirtless and shoeless customers.

Tom

 

Similarly, driving w/ your shoes off will boost MPG's. Just use the big toe on the peddle ... you get a much better sence of how hard you're pushing down.

edit:
whoops, I see abq sfr already made the same point.

 

Last trip I made to San Diego, 338 miles, I got the best mileage, 49.8. I didn't wear shoes the entire trip.

Of course I did use cruise control and my feet were either tucked under me on the seat or propped on the dash.

Must be the shoes.......

 

bare foot is true in my case. im 6'4". i drive with my big tow. so ez to control your peddle 48-62mpg (according to the screen,@ pump 50-66)

 

Thanks for that cool site! I go barefoot very often, but unfortunately NM is not a barefoot friendly state, too many goat-heads, red ants, scorpions, and other forms of barefoot-unfriendly life along with 180 degree pavement. My son even stepped on a scorpion in the house, a call to Poison Control indicated its no more serious than a bee sting, no life-threatening ones in NM unless you are way down south. But I still like to take my chances, and slip-on shoes are now my favorite since I got my Prius.

 

6'2" here... and plenty of legroom for me, unlike in many other cars. I used to think many Japanese models were built for people with smaller frames, some Camry models I can't drive without my knee up against the dash. But my Prius fits me perfectly.

 

I find that wearing different shoes gives me different MPG... so, barefoot may be a good bet. I've not tried it, though.

Some mornings, I have too hard a time getting the shoes on.

 

I thought it was just me that put the seat way far back. And I have really short legs and I'm only 5'8". But for some reason I find it gives me more control and is more comfortable. I also like the seat as upright as possible.