Poor mileage

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...-answer-these-questions-esp-if-youre-new.html

It's stickied at the top of Gen III 2010 Prius Fuel Economy - PriusChat Forums.

"Babying" the Prius may be part of what you're getting "poor" mileage. If you're trying to accelerate on electric only, don't do that. You want to minimize battery use both in and out.

 

When the ICE is too cold, it has to run to be provide cabin heat. When the ICE is cold, set the whole HVAC system to off (leaving the heat above low should be ok, but fan to OFF) until either you're above >42 (46?) mph or you have acceleration demands that require the ICE anyway.

You can try playing around fan controls (on/off) to getting the ICE to turn on/off when the heat is on HI to see for yourself.

If you turn on the car for 5 minutes and are "idling", you're getting 0 mpg that whole time. I recommend not doing that.

I don't think they made a mistake. If curious, http://web.archive.org/web/20080618...-advice/most-fuelefficient-cars-206/index.htm is what they got on the 2nd gen.

 

excellent, well done!:cheer2:

 

The interior heat I leave at 70F and fan 2nd lowest setting, blowing into windshield and feet.

 

I've gotten low 30's, and I was using hypermiling techniques, turning off the heat as much as possible (driving with gloves, only need heat for defrosting the windows). But that's with a 2.8 mile commute, and temperatures in the teens (Fahrenheit). That's usually one or two tanks a year, the rest of the winter is in the 40's, and in the summer I get the 50's (plus I'm biking too, so the Prius is only used for longer trips in the summer).

Edit: that's the high temperature in the teens, temperatures while commuting often in single digits.

On the highway, I get anywhere from mid 40's (rain, 70+ mph, A/C controls on) to upper 50's (nice weather, 65 mph). That's for a Gen II Prius, but it's not too far off from a Gen III behavior in that regard.

 

Turn off the heat at stop lights to make sure the engine turns off. It takes quite awhile for the engine to heat up enough to keep the interior temperature at 70'F before it's warm enough to be able to turn the engine off.

 

I believe that setting forces AC on. After using various settings for a while I discovered that Auto setting is the best combined with fresh air and 65F. When windshield is foggy, them I use defogger setting but only as long as needed.

 

Nope. It doesn't. You cycle the "MODE" button and it comes up. I find if the fan is not on, the windows fog up.

 

Nope, you are wrong about it. Read this: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...ssion/87949-anyway-turn-off-compressor-c.html

 

What mode do you call this? Is this considered "defrost?"

How do you know if the compressor is on when the A/C light is off?

 

I call it a partial defog. AC is on in such a mode in every Toyota (without AC light on). I personally don't agree with that.

 

I would have to disagree with that. Our 97 Camry had this position (partial defrost) and the AC was not on. Only if you went to full defrost did the AC come on and in that car that light illuminated as does the Prius.

 

OK, I should have said newer Toyotas. My oldest one is 2003 model.

But you are incorrect about the AC light in 2010 Prius. Unless my car is defective, AC light is OFF in windshield full defog mode. Check for yourself.