Psyched about improved gas milage

I purchased an 05 Prius back in March of last year. I've tracked my gas mileage pretty closely in a log book (and kept receipts, although they are all sitting in my glove compartment), so I haven't calculated "actual" gas mileage over the long haul.

I drive roundtrip from southwest Denver to Boulder every weekday (and sometimes on Saturdays) for work, approximately a 68 mile drive. Plus we use this car for family stuff too since it's more economical than our full size van (I have a family of six, although two now have their own cars, so it's rare that all six of us go anywhere together any more).

Up until now I averaged in the 48MPG range over most of the first year (lower in the dead of winter when CO mandates oxygenated fuels). I had an occasional 50+ MPG tank full, but not very often. I did take it to CA back in September and the mileage dropped drastically at highway speeds, and with the oxygenated fuel in CA; down to only 42MPG for the 2000+ mile round trip.

But the last month or so I've been experimenting with driving technique. Coasting down hills and then keeping a very steady foot on the climbs back up. Trying to get more out of the battery by faster accelerations, and then letting my foot off the gas as quickly as possible after stops or slows. Keeping the "AUTO" feature off on the heater/air (I turn it off all the way, or keep it on the lowest speed). Slowing down to the speed limit and sometimes below, where I usually drive 5 MPH over). Etc. (but still experimenting.)

The drive to/from work is along the foothills of the front range, and my drive is a roller-coaster most of the way. (BTW, when are they going to put the altimeter in the Prius computer so I can also see elevation gain/loss!!!). It's about 70% highway at speeds of 55 to 65 MPH (some interstate, some just 2-lane highway with a stoplight every mile to 5 miles), with 24 total stoplights, and probably 10 or so miles of "city" driving.

As I've been learning to drive it different, my first tank with the new techniques went up to 52.4 MPG on over 500 miles of driving (with lots of wind, snow, and "weather" to deal with on that tank). Then I went up to 56.2 on my last tank (some rain but not as much wind), with 567 miles on the tank to the last bar just starting to flash. That fill up was yesterday afternoon in Boulder. I then drove the car at rush hour to downtown Denver for a stop on the way home, and was at 62.2 MPG when I parked downtown (about 29 miles). Then home later (climbing out of downtown Denver into the foothills where I live) and I was 57.5 MPG and 19 more miles. Finally, I've finished out the round trip (and I'm unfortunatly at work now), so another 33+ miles, and I'm at an astounding 62.6MPG with 82 miles on the odometer! I'm really excited!!!

FWIW, I've used Mobile 1 as I've changed the oil, and my tires are getting to where they need replacement, as I'm at almost 30K miles.

 

Yes, I take 93, and also go from Morrison up C470 and over I-70 and back down into Golden where 6th becomes highway 93.

The winds do buck the little car around, and with 50 to 55 MPG normally, ANY wind seems to affect things. I get pushed around, but it's not to the point where it's uncontrolable. On 93 I usually hit cross winds, but I also have more headwinds than I like.

MPG definitely drops on those days. Bars on the 30 minute display drop well below their normal; probably in the 10% range or more depending, of course, upon how hard it's blowing and which direction. But it always disappoints me to see my MPG drop.

BTW, I should clear up a statement I made in the first post. I usually on startups or after slowdowns now, when allowed by traffic, try to use the ICE as little as possible. Many times, especially getting into my neighborhood going home, or dropping down into Boulder and heading to the office on the way in, I can feather the pedal and stay on battery for quite some time or even for very long stretches, even past lights and stop signs. It's only once I feel or see the ICE kick in that I then accelerate up to a speed where I can quickly let back off again and go back to where the MPGs are up, and where I can maximize them for the longer stretches until the next slowdown. Is that clear as mud?