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Hi There!! Newbie (just bouth the car last Thr) from TX with a MPG Question

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Kermitt, Mar 5, 2013.

  1. Kermitt

    Kermitt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    38
    7
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    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A


    I am the proud new owner of a 2009 Prius Touring Package#5 and I honestly love this thing!! I just purchased the car last Thursday from a Nissan dealer in the East coast with 47k miles and every single available option!! Really nice! I have been a "stalker" of the forum since long time ago and after months and months of reading and learning I finally took the plunge and got me one of these!!

    So, out of the dealer at 5 pm on Thr and into the Toyota dealer at 8 am on Fri for all the inspections necessary to make sure I was getting a good one; everything checked out perfect and the told me the only thing needed was an alignment (which I know t may not be actually true but since I was driving the car back home so I decided to pay the money) so I took it like an "inspection" fee. :) I started my 1.3k miles drive on Monday Morning and I make it home a day and a half later with so many questions to ask but I guess I can start with the topic subject here:

    I ran the the car in cruise control for most of the trip; 70mph yesterday and 75mph today so these are my MPG results and I would like to know about your experiences, if it is good or bad and what tips do you guys have to improve performance; I know slowing down is one of them and I in fact already started but I just wanted to do a "standarized" sort of test to create some consistency to be able to ask for advice:

    70mph for almost 700 miles = 43.4 MPG
    75mph for 700 miles = 42.1 MPG

    so are these number normal? low? acceptable? do the rims make a difference since I got the "luxury" ones that come with that package?

    Thank you so much for your input and I look forward to provide my $.02 for all the new members here from what I learn.

    Look forward to your responses!
     
    #1 Kermitt, Mar 5, 2013
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Looks normal for those speeds and possible winter weather. Check the GenII Fuel Economy forum for tips. :)
     
    #2 F8L, Mar 5, 2013
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Speed is an issue. This chart by Bob Wilson is from a Gen 3 so ignore the details and note the slope.

    [​IMG]
    Tire pressure is a minor area for improvement. Toyota's recommendation is ideal for comfort, but low for MPG, handling, braking, and tread life. 40 in front/ 38 in rear tires may be a start, then watch your tread life.

    The 16 inch wheels will limit your choices in LRR tires. You want Low Rolling Resistance tires. F8l has a thread on tires available.
    Low Rolling Resistance replacement tires: Current List | PriusChat

    42 MPG is not bad for a Gen 2 in winter, expect it to climb to 46 by summer.
     
    #3 JimboPalmer, Mar 6, 2013
    F8L likes this.
  4. Kermitt

    Kermitt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
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    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanks F8L and Jimbopalmer for your responses; I thought it was pretty decent considering I was using the heater and it was cold. :) I will keep reading and thanks again for your answers! :)
     
    #4 Kermitt, Mar 6, 2013
    F8L likes this.
  5. wassman

    wassman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    4
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I just bought a 2005 prius 2 weeks ago , averaging 42 mpg over 225 miles, only 50 on the highway. I am driving around suburbs of Chicago in cold weather and have short trips to and from work so the car never warms up inside so I do not use the heater unless I have to due to ice buildup. I go 4 miles to work and 2 miles after work to the gym then 6 miles home, really tired of cleaning snow off car and waiting for warmer temps.
    I will let you know my highway MPG, I will be traveling to Michigan 200 miles each weekend for the next year, thats the reason I got the car. I love the car but am waiting for warmer weather to play around with the package #6 options.
     
    #5 wassman, Mar 7, 2013
  6. Kermitt

    Kermitt Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2013
    38
    7
    0
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Looking forward for you results Wassman!! :)
     
    #6 Kermitt, Mar 7, 2013
  7. steve_b

    steve_b New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2013
    14
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    Location:
    South Central PA.
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    We just bought an '05 on March 7th. Still having winter here in southcentral PA. Using the heater a good bit and the defroster some. We live in hilly terrain at the base of the Allegheny Mountains and most of our trips so far have been no more than 20 miles each way. Getting about 42 mpg indicated on the MFD and about 40 calculated at the pump. I'm good with this because our two other vehicles get about 13-15 mpg (pickup trucks) and I keep hearing it will probably go up in warmer weather. Keep us posted!
     
    #7 steve_b, Mar 19, 2013
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