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25% Improvment in MPG....Thank You!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by j24816, Apr 27, 2006.

  1. j24816

    j24816 New Member

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    Have had my Prius for a month, at beginning MFD consistantly in low 40's. After reading (studying?) the tips posted at PriusChat MFD milage is now in low 50's, a 25% improvement. My MFD estimates are spot-on with actuals (99.7% of measured milage).

    The big hitters for me:
    1) Changed route to work. Previous route was loaded with stop signs, usually backed up 4-5 deep leading to multiple starts from a dead stop. Current route, while not a bargain with 35 red lights and 14 stop signs over 9 grueling miles (~30 minute commute), greatly reduced the number of short stops.

    2) I allow significant space between me and car in front, reducing the amount of braking I have to do. Also, generally travel slower.

    3) If no-one is behind me, on a downhill stop sign, I let gravity get me going. This seems somewhat extreme to me, but I suspect in this crowd I am safe.

    4) I think twice before taking a short trip, and delay the trip if not truely needed.

    I would not have suspected a car could have such impact of behavior.

    Thank you to all who have shared their knowledge, it is much appreciated....
     
    #1 j24816, Apr 27, 2006
  2. Bill Lumbergh

    Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer

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    No, no.....thank YOU for practicing good fuel management. As long as your techniques don't obstruct traffic, you're doing everyone a favor.

    I've been known to watch my rear view mirror as much as the road in front of me. When I notice no one behind me, I'll coast for up to a quarter mile, gradually losing speed, as I approach a stop sign or red light.
     
    #2 Bill Lumbergh, Apr 27, 2006
  3. highroute

    highroute New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Apr 27 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]246415[/snapback]</div>
    Wisdom! Ultimately, it's not about miles per gallon; it's about gallons. Maybe delay the trip, maybe combine that trip with another trip ...
     
    #3 highroute, Apr 27, 2006
  4. j24816

    j24816 New Member

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    arggg......I misspelled truly. I hope my daughter does not see this!
     
    #4 j24816, Apr 27, 2006
  5. tripp

    tripp Which it's a 'ybrid, ain't it?

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    Given the craziness of your commute with all of its stops and starts you might consider the EV mode switch (comes in a variety of types with different costs and levels of difficulty to install). It MIGHT help you improve your MPG a little more, plus its loads of fun.

    If yer interested just use PC's search feature and you'll find a pile of threads.
     
    #5 tripp, Apr 27, 2006
  6. hdrygas

    hdrygas New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Apr 27 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]246415[/snapback]</div>
    OK I did the same thing... in Spades. I actually researched the topographical change on maps! Yes I am sick. I have now 2 stop signs and 6 stop lights. I can usually cruse through at least 2 or 3 of the stop lights. Gradual up and down hills a great to work and only a few tenths of a mile greater than the usual route that involves 2-3 miles at 50 mph. Makes a big difference.
     
    #6 hdrygas, Apr 28, 2006
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Note that if your new route is a sufficiently greater distance you may be using more gasoline in total even though the MPG figure is better:

    6 miles @ 40 MPG burns 0.16 gallon
    9 miles @ 50 MPG burns 0.18 gallon
     
    #7 richard schumacher, Apr 28, 2006
  8. ghostofjk

    ghostofjk New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Apr 27 2006, 07:56 PM) [snapback]246439[/snapback]</div>

    NOW you've misspelled "arggh"--there's an "h". :p

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Apr 27 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]246415[/snapback]</div>
    Let me be sure I've got this right. You now have 49 lights or stop signs---in 9 miles---an average of 5.5 per mile---and this is an IMPROVEMENT over your old route?

    Yumpin' Yiminy.
     
    #8 ghostofjk, Apr 28, 2006
  9. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    When waiting for people ahead of you to pass through a stop sign,
    you certainly don't have to punch it hard enough to light the
    engine. Just drift up on electric, and wait till you can get a
    "good burn" for best efficiency afterward...
    .
    _H*
     
    #9 hobbit, Apr 28, 2006
  10. daniel

    daniel Cat Lovers Against the Bomb

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    Since moving to Spokane I almost never take the freeway. I get significantly better mpg on the surface roads, and it's almost always shorter. All I need to do is allow a bit more time.
     
    #10 daniel, Apr 28, 2006
  11. Brian K

    Brian K New Member

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    I'm thinking you might get REALLY great mileage with an '08.

    Good going regarding the change in driving technique. Hey, we must all be nuts too. We do what we need to do to get better mileage. My pet peeve since getting the Prius are jackrabbit starts by other folks, just to get to the (obvious to a sighted person) next already red light. What morons. I bet they gripe about the high price of gas.
     
    #11 Brian K, Apr 28, 2006
  12. EricGo

    EricGo New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hdrygas @ Apr 28 2006, 12:17 AM) [snapback]246470[/snapback]</div>
    Sorry, you are not sick. I am

    I have been known to check the local weather, and time my trips when the wind is favorable to my topography.
     
    #12 EricGo, Apr 28, 2006
  13. j24816

    j24816 New Member

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    arggh!

    Actually, I could not find either spelling in Websters, and when googling both returned numerous hits. I should have quit when I was ahead, but.....one was in the Urban Dictionary. Argggh!

    Note that if your new route is a sufficiently greater distance you may be using more gasoline in total even though the MPG figure is better:

    6 miles @ 40 MPG burns 0.16 gallon
    9 miles @ 50 MPG burns 0.18 gallon

    Very good point. Using Streets and Trips, my new route is two tenths of a mile longer. Looking at the map it seems reasonable. Eventually I'll get around to measuring, but for now am content that I am actually saving gas, not just padding my MPG.


    I actually researched the topographical change on maps!

    Aside from 1 mile/300 vertical feet to/from my house (after reading your post I had to check!) the trip is now fairly flat; if I work late I have actually been able to get 10 straight minutes of a maxed out display. Lights are timed and I was hitting them perfectly.


    Let me be sure I've got this right. You now have 49 lights or stop signs---in 9 miles---an average of 5.5 per mile---and this is an IMPROVEMENT over your old route?


    Part of the charm of living in Southern California. I could go on for quite a while on this topic, but will let it go at that. By coincidence, heading to work this morning there were three Prius's stopped abreast (including my cars twin, separated at birth) at one of the lights.


    EV mode switch

    My wife would kill me. (and keep the Prius)


    Ultimately, it's not about miles per gallon; it's about gallons

    Wisdom!!!
     
    #13 j24816, Apr 29, 2006
  14. foo

    foo Junior Member

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    I've had my Prius a week and the MPG readout has gone from like 16 to 44.5. I have 4 bars (pips? still learning the lingo) left on the gas gauge and 240 miles or so on the odometer.

    I doubt I'll be measuring altitude, etc., but I'm happy that with extremely marginal changes in my driving habits I'm able to average 44MPG on a commute from Contra Costa County to San Francisco.. (40 mile roundtrip commute).

    Occasionally I commute to San Jose instead (120 mile roundtrip commute) and I'm looking forward to seeing if that improves or reduces the MPG. I'm guessing it will be a bit better due to fewer hills, but we'll see..
     
    #14 foo, Apr 29, 2006
  15. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ Apr 27 2006, 07:05 PM) [snapback]246415[/snapback]</div>
    If I may.... THIS part is likely to have the biggest impact on mileage. Short trips will kill mileage, while long, warm ones will see the best.
     
    #15 darelldd, Apr 29, 2006
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