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Stereo V MPG

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by djphill, Feb 21, 2009.

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  1. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    I know that if I am using the stereo in my car it will be using energy and thus lowering MPG, but at what level will it lower it more than 1-2 MPG.
     
    #1 djphill, Feb 21, 2009
  2. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    No expert here but I'd keep the amp at normal listening levels and enjoy your ride. Ther's no way you're going to significantly hurt your milage. Driving without heat, no headlights, tires at 52lbs pressure, and NO RADIO? There comes a point where MPG is high enough (except in some sort of competetion) and the Prius keeps us at a very good MPG level.
    Follow the PC suggested practices on air pressure, grill blocking if needed, and learn to drive you Prius wisely...and enjoy music while you save :cheer2:
     
    #2 snead_c, Feb 21, 2009
  3. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    Do you notice a MPG drop when you turn on your headlight? ;):D
    How about when you put on some extra pounds of a passenger? ;)
    If it affects it, it would be in the decimal place difference, perhaps in the 2nd digit.:D It might be better to walk, infinite MPG:D
     
    #3 CharlesJ, Feb 21, 2009
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    When you start tapping your accelerator foot in time with the music.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Feb 21, 2009
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I can't beat 73mpg when I run my stereo...but I have to have it.
     
    #5 efusco, Feb 21, 2009
  6. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    i'm not talking about having the stereo on or off, i'm talking about playing it louder. I don't blast my music but i do like it on the louder side.
     
    #6 djphill, Feb 21, 2009
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    What we're all trying to say is that "NO" it doesn't make any difference.

    Now, if you boil it down to pure math then yes, it takes a tiny, but measurable, amount more energy to play the stereo louder, but with the multitude of variables in normal driving this is not something that is reliably measured by your end MPG and certainly nothing on the order of 1-2mpg...I'd be shocked if it was as great as 0.01mpg difference from off to full volume.
     
    #7 efusco, Feb 21, 2009
  8. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    thanks, that was the exact answer i was looking for
     
    #8 djphill, Feb 22, 2009
  9. timberwolf

    timberwolf New Member

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    The loudness and type of music can effect the driver though, for example loud music with a fast beat is going to raise your heart rate, which in turn may result in driving faster and accelerating/deaccelerating more argressively. So yes, the loudness of stereo may cause a change in the MPG.
     
    #9 timberwolf, Feb 22, 2009
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Put the base tubes out the back of the car and save gas. Ever see a putt-putt boat go?
     
    #10 patsparks, Feb 22, 2009
  11. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    just to dispel any other comments making fun of me, the reason I asked this is because i read an article that said blasting the stereo system would drain the battery and have a large impact on MPG (the article was not prius specific).
     
    #11 djphill, Feb 22, 2009
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Just for future reference, it's best, whenever possible, to provide that kind of information, along with a link when possible, in the OP. So we know where you're coming from, can read the article for ourselves as sometimes there interpretation issues, othertimes it can be outright ridiculous.

    And look, if you've got a monster 5000W system with powered base, 20" LCD TV, DVD all blasting at once then heck yea, it may cost you 1-2mpg in a Prius...that's a lot of juice. If that's the sort of system the article was talking about then I'll agree in part.

    But if you're in a 10mpg Hummer with a Sparkomatic 40W stereo you'll never see a measurable difference from off to "cranked".
     
    #12 efusco, Feb 22, 2009
  13. CharlesJ

    CharlesJ Member

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    No, we're not making fun of you, just having a bit of fun:D

    Certainly, if the stereo is on in accessory mode, in time the battery will drain, like an inside light left on. But, if you are driving, that battery is recharged as needed.

    It would be interesting to contact that author and have him show his data from 3rd party independent testers:D
     
    #13 CharlesJ, Feb 22, 2009
  14. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    A cruising Prius uses 40,000 Watts or more. How big is your stereo?
     
    #14 richard schumacher, Feb 23, 2009
  15. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    stock
     
    #15 djphill, Feb 23, 2009
  16. icarus

    icarus Senior Member

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    A conventional car stereo will draw less than 1 amp from the 12vdc source,,, about 60 watts. The rough equivalent of one headlight bulb. To put this is perspective,,,the amount of fuel required to produce 1 amp from the 12 volt alternator is a rounding error in any calculation. If you did wind tunnel testing you might find that the radio antenna "burns" more gas than the stereo itself.

    Icarus
     
    #16 icarus, Feb 24, 2009
  17. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    60W/40,000W implies that the stereo will reduce your MPGs about 0.15%. You won't notice it.
     
    #17 richard schumacher, Feb 24, 2009
  18. djphill

    djphill Master of The World

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    k thx
     
    #18 djphill, Feb 24, 2009
  19. Doc Willie

    Doc Willie Shuttlecraft Commander

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    What about my 400 watt system, with DSP and Cleansweep? I know it can drain my 12 V battery in less than 45 minutes while parked.
     
    #19 Doc Willie, Feb 25, 2009
  20. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    1% of energy used for driving IF you can have it at its rated 400w output while driving.
     
    #20 patsparks, Feb 25, 2009
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