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

Fuel economy when battery low

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by PikRok, Mar 22, 2010.

  1. PikRok

    PikRok New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2010
    25
    5
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburgh
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Does fuel economy drop when the battery is low (25-50%) because I was driving around at 25mph (flat road), with light throttle, and the computer was only showing around 40mpg-50mpg with the battery at/below 50%. Any ideas?


    Thanks... for helping a newbie hybrid illiterate person. :D
     
    #1 PikRok, Mar 22, 2010
  2. Prius 07

    Prius 07 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2007
    715
    21
    0
    Location:
    Toronto, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    :welcome:to PC! You want to stay off the battery as much as possible as if it gets to low the ICE needs to run to replenish it. Experts suggest that replenishing the battery is not very efficient due to loss of energy in conversion.
     
    #2 Prius 07, Mar 22, 2010
  3. odaigle

    odaigle New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    35
    2
    0
    Location:
    Canada -- Montreal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Your FE might be lower than usual if your engine is recharging your battery, which may occur if your battery is below 6 bars. Once your battery reaches 6 bars, your FE should increase as the engine will stop recharging it.
     
    #3 odaigle, Mar 22, 2010
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)