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My first trip in 2012 P2 and I have 3 questions

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Raleighwood, Aug 13, 2012.

  1. Raleighwood

    Raleighwood Junior Member

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    I am preparing for my first trip and I had a few questions. I plan on topping off the tank in the morning and departing after 6pm. Thanks in advance.

    The trip is about 300 miles from Raleigh up 95N to 64W with a climb over the Blue Ridge mountains in NW Va into the Shenandoah Valley up 81N. My previous car was a Kia Forte 5 door and with the cruise control I got about 32mpg at 70Mph. Of course that speed dropped a tad going through Richmond but I was able to maintain that over the mountains and into the valley.

    In reading the various posts on mileage, the use of the cruise control is hardly mentioned on long trips and when it is mentioned it seems to be with disdain. I used it in the Kia to get the higher MPG, relieve fatigue and keep from getting a ticket. VA has some of the stiffest traffic laws in the east. My question is, if I use it and maintain 65 or 70 where legal, can i assume my MPG will stay at or near 50? I'm not a mileage fanatic (meant in a good way of course) and would be happy with 48-50 on the trip.

    Second question involves the B mode on the stick and the mountains. I have read numerous articles about it including the manual and frankly I'm more confused now that I have read them. The salesman said it was encouraged to use when in the mountains? I go up about 10 miles worth and come down about 3 miles worth...do I use it or not and what does it do and what do I gain or loose by using it?

    Lastly, is it the consensus that a faster acceleration from a stop to cruising speed and then the glide burns less gas than a slower acceleration and then glide?
     
    #1 Raleighwood, Aug 13, 2012
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    You will likely average +-50mpg if you keep your speed around 65-70mph.

    I prefer not to use cruise control on steep mountain passes but have no problem using it in the flatter areas.

    You shouldn't need to use B mode unless you are going down a very steep section of roadway. It does help you slow down but it usually isn't needed. I live at the base of the Sierra Nevada range and even I rarely use it.

    Don't think in terms of faster vs. slower acceleration because that is very subjective. Instead, try to accelerate so the HSI bar is in the last 3/4 of the Eco area just before the Power section. That is the most efficient way to accelerate. If you go into the power section it's not the end of the world so just do what is needed to be safe and considerate.

    3/4 into the Eco Area of the HSI
    [​IMG]

    For more detailed info please see Hobbit's page on the subject.

    HSI
     
    #2 F8L, Aug 13, 2012
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  3. Whiteyprius

    Whiteyprius Active Member

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    Q#1 Use cruise - Using all the "tricks" will not benefit you significantly, or at all on that long of a trip, mostly on 65mph roads - and your right leg will thank you for it. Incidentally, when using cruise on a 2012, the car maintains set speed on the downhills too, by using regen braking (automatically) and even the engine brake (B mode) when necessary (again automatically!) You may not get 48-50 going up the mountain, but you'll more than make it up on the downhills.

    Q#2 Only use shifter in B mode when you need to brake going down long grades, BUT ONLY after battery indicator is at full charge. Otherwise you're wasting gravity & inertia that could be producing Kwh. B mode is like a "Jake Brake" on tractor-trailer rigs - it shuts down valves in the engine so the vehicle is slowed by compression & vacuum. When the "Jake Brake" is operating you'll hear the same kind of roar coming from the engine. But note: B mode may slow the car some at any time, because it forces the engine to turn. But the only time that the valves actually shut down, thus allowing B mode to operate by design is when the battery is at full charge.

    Q#3 All things in moderation - Jackrabbit starts don't save you anything on any car, including the Prius. Slooooow starts don't save anything either, because you're just using more battery that will need to be "regened" later. I don't poke, but I don't try to play dragster either.

    Have a great trip - the more you drive it, the more you'll love it.

    BlackBerry 9930 ?
     
    #3 Whiteyprius, Aug 13, 2012
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  4. gmcneil05

    gmcneil05 Member

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    My family has a house in Pisgah forest and I've been wanting to take a trip up there. Like they say what go's up must come down so what you loose on the way up you will make up for on the way down.
     
    #4 gmcneil05, Aug 13, 2012
  5. etobia

    etobia Member

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    Use your cruise control!

    Use EV Mode for starts and then manually push button moving into ECO MODE.

    On the mountains you may want to use power mode to keep speed. Will use more gas, but you'll make up for it on the downside.

    Enjoy your trip. I think you'll find your Prius shines on all accounts in comparison to your Kia.

    Let us know how you make ou
     
    #5 etobia, Aug 13, 2012
  6. Raleighwood

    Raleighwood Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the info, that B mode thing was quite a confusion that I think I will pretty much ignore most of the time. I do love my cruise on most any drive where I can use it. Leg fatigue just isn't loads of fun and neither is a ticket for speeding!

    I have steadily gotten my numbers up to where the panel generally hovers at 50 mpg or very close. My driving habits have changed dramatically in these past three weeks, thanks to the suggestions and tips I have read here. I was trying to stay out of power mode and in the Eco range, I just didn't know where the sweet spot was on the gauge, thanks F8L, a picture is worth a thousand words.

    As mentioned above, I have never had so much fun "gauge watching" in my life. It's almost like a personal video game trying to raise my numbers. I am really looking forward to this trip.....
     
    #6 Raleighwood, Aug 13, 2012
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    NP :)

    Learn how to glide. Use it at every downhill or stop possible and you'll gain ever more miles per gallon.

    Simply lift off the throttle then reapply just a little pressure to get the HSI to look like this. Then glide for as long as possible before resuming speed (going downhill) or coming to a stop. You should be able to do this long before reaching a highway exit if no one is behind you. :)
    [​IMG]
     
    #7 F8L, Aug 13, 2012
  8. Raleighwood

    Raleighwood Junior Member

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    I'm looking forward to consistently getting 50+mpg which is almost double what my Forte got. It cost me about $100 round trip when I drove my 06 Kia Sportage, then about $70 for my '11 Kia Forte. I expect this will be less than $45 round trip. That kind of money back in my pocket is frankly exciting! I plan on keeping this car a long long time....I get my satellite radio installed tomorrow to make the trip even sweeter! Next after that is a backup camera.
     
    #8 Raleighwood, Aug 13, 2012
  9. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Use B when you would use L in a normal automatic transmission, almost never.

    Should be driving on the freeway and see signs stating that trucks are only allowed to go 18 MPH downhill, use B from the very top, so your disc brakes do not overheat. At the bottom, go back to D. (Cruise control does not work in B, that is a hint)

    It is more wasteful than regenerative brakes, but on a steep enough hill, safety comes first.

    http://cms.oregon.gov/ODOT/MCT/docs/emigranthill.pdf

    (One more oddity, the harder you brake in B, the faster and louder the engine sounds)
     
    #9 JimboPalmer, Aug 13, 2012
  10. MattPersman

    MattPersman Member

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    I was using "B" down winding steep slower side mountain roads, but normal interstate mountain driving just left the cruise control set where I wanted it, sure i was hitting 4000+ RPMs up hill but had no issues. I did use PWR mode on steep slower side mountain roads, it is a neat little feature that makes driving up them easier.
     
    #10 MattPersman, Aug 17, 2012
  11. Raleighwood

    Raleighwood Junior Member

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    The trip up was 45.5 MPG using the cruise control 99% of the way (309 miles). The 15 mile mountain crossing was the only time the cruise was off. Our speed was 70-71 90% of the time and as low as 60 when driving through Richmond. The drive is a steady but moderate incline all the way. We had three adults and two bags in the car. I also inflated all 4 tires to 35 PSI. I don't feel comfortable pushing the stock tire PSI to the sidewall maximum of 44.

    I was very happy with the mileage and ease of the drive vs my 2011 Kia Forte (30.5 MPG avg on this particluar trip). The drive seemed smoother and when you add in the Sirius installed in dash, it was very pleasant indeed. I will check the return mileage Sunday or Monday. I do expect it to be better as it is down hill back to Raleigh.

    Overall, highly excited with my decision to trade in my '11 Kia for the '12 P2. It's almost like my personal video game, but instead of points, it's dollars in my pocket!!!!
     
    #11 Raleighwood, Aug 18, 2012
  12. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Don't forget the official EPA highway rating for the Prius is 48 mpg.
     
    #12 alfon, Aug 19, 2012
  13. Kore971

    Kore971 PEDD-CESC

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    #13 Kore971, Aug 28, 2012
  14. NinnJinn

    NinnJinn Member

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    Its been two weeks!! let the cat out of the bag already!!! I'm anxious to know how the return trip was!!!!! :D
     
    #14 NinnJinn, Sep 3, 2012
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