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PIP shorter cruising range compared to Prius, is that even possible?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by JamesKFChiu, Mar 18, 2016.

  1. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Hello guys, Happy Friday!

    I am an new owner for a CPO 2012 PiP who came from same 2012 Prius Hybrid
    Decided to switch mainly for the green sticker for solo HOV access in CA, so far I'm pretty happy with this PIP, which seems to have better handling, better weight distribution/balance, and the EV mode is awesome.

    However, there's one thing bothering me a lot, which is the available cruising range car tells me.

    On my old car, I averaged 52MPG and every gas refill gives me over 480 miles.

    For the new PiP, I got free first tank of fuel free from dealer, car told me I got 271 miles available, but I got 370 miles until I filled up my yesterday with 3 bars and 78 miles left.

    Now car tells me I got around 415 miles available with full tank of gas, which is a lot less compared to the old one, first thing I can think of is maybe PiP's got smaller fuel tank. Or car still using the accumulated data from previous owner's record to calculate cruising range?

    I averaged out 48MPG for now, which is probably due to the non-eco Nexen tires dealer put on, but I got quieter, more comfort ride with better performance and shorter brake distance compared to Michelin ES AS on old car so I am good with the few MPG drop.

    Anyways, I am still very happy with this PiP, amazing car and I enjoy driving in HOV solo a lot!!!
    Thank you guys in advance for the feedback!
     
    #1 JamesKFChiu, Mar 18, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 18, 2016
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  2. HybridBull

    HybridBull Junior Member

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    To answer your question, I believe the pip has a smaller gas tank. About 2 gallons or so. Should explain the lower range (although for people that can plug in at home and work, probably not an issue)
     
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  3. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Well, one issue that I alway avoided is to have a gas tank full of gasoline if my needs where electric driving.
    You do not need to gas to the max.; It will increase your MPG
     
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  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    The Prius has an 11.9 gallon tank and the PiP's is 10.6.
     
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  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    One clarification is PHV stands for Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle so PiP is a PHV.

    Yes you have the smaller gas tank with PiP, so you need to plug-in to recover some of that range.

    Another slightly controversial point is MPG in gasoline mode. Because the PiP weighs more you could get get slightly less MPG with PiP, if you are not plugging in. However, many PiP owners report they are easily able to get better gaso MPG than the hybrid version by using the bigger battery in the PiP to generate more EV miles.
     
  6. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Thanks for the quick response guys, smaller fuel tank makes sense for the shorter cruising range.
    One main reason I ask is because of my long commute, 450 miles per week, with this slightly shorter range, I will have to fill up more frequently nut no big deal since I still love this car so much.
     
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  7. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I owned a 2010 Prius and traded it in for one of the first 2012 PiP's. I track mileage by resetting the odometer when I fill the tank, then on the next fillup, I take the miles on the odometer and divide it by the number of gallons I've added. I've done this for years. There have been long periods during which I didn't plug my car in at all. The PiP consistently delivers higher mileage than I obtained with the 2010 Prius. It's Lithium Ion battery can capture and release much more energy than the much smaller battery of the ordinary Prius.

    I do not rely on the mpg indicator on the dashboard; it is by design inaccurate.
     
  8. Wolfie52

    Wolfie52 Senior "Jr" Member

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    I am just curious as to the difference you have noted from your fill up and divide method, vs what the MPG dash indicator. Is the difference significant?

    I am one that likes to note approximate mpg I get and generally don't care to do the manual method. I grew up driving wise, in the 60's and 70's and used to carry a special notebook and calculator to figure this out... talk about work! Anyway, thanks.
     
    #8 Wolfie52, Mar 19, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2016
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  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Are you not plugging in? My PiP shows the same range as you but I can average 700 miles per tank.
     
  10. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    There's an app called GasTracker+, from Fuelly, which many of us use to track mileage.

    The Prius dashboard mileage meter is usually 2 mph high. But the error is because it measures gas as it's consumed. I've never experienced a wildly inaccurate result, but it's never been perfect, either.
     
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  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Yes, this is a contributing factor.
     
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  12. Redpoint5

    Redpoint5 Senior Member

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    I average 700 miles per tank because most of my commute can be accomplished in EV mode.

    The MPG indicator shows 2 MPG high compared to a hand calculation, so it's about 5% optimistic.

    I can go another 100 miles after the fuel warning beep and the last fuel bar begins flashing. The estimated distance to empty is extremely inaccurate, leaving much more range available. I wouldn't even have the distance to empty displayed in your info screen, as there is much more useful information available.

    The math to determine how much further you can go is easy in the PiP because it has a 10 gallon fuel tank. Take your MPG, and multiply by 10. If you're getting 50 MPG, you can go 500 miles until empty. Always reset your trip meter when you fill up, and you will be able to accurately estimate range.

    Supposedly we have a 10.6 gallon tank, but I usually run out around 10.1, and that's starting out with a very full tank. I'd be curious if anyone has been able to get more than about 10.3 gallons into their PiP.
     
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  13. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Yes, not having any chance to plug in my PiP yet, charger at work charges $1/hr but it only accepts Tap and Pay which I don't have :(
    I filled up last week (6.86G), trying to operate this car just like I did on my Hybrid Prius, will see how many miles I can get until warning beep comes up.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats on your new pip james, all the best!(y)
     
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  15. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Thanks bro, I really love my PiP. Btw, it's kind of sad to realize that we are now "Gen 1 Plug-in Prius" not the one and only anymore...
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i know! but now we have the 'classic'.:p
     
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  17. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    "Classic" Pips are a real bargain now since many of the people that paid full bull for them when they were new are now trading them in.

    With your commute, a used Prius is about the only thing that makes sense....and getting to bypass the "HO" in HOV is an added benefit.

    Good Luck!
     
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  18. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Yes, I like the way you interpret it... 'classic' :)

    Exactly, PiP is now in a very affordable price and that's why I decided to pull the trigger. Plus, Can't express how happy I am when bypassing other drivers suffering in regular lanes...just like I used to be.
     
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  19. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    Nice upgrade! You'll enjoy the HOV benefits. At times it seems like it doesn't help much during peak rush hour, but overall it's a great benefit. Hopefully this one had floor mats (y)
     
  20. JamesKFChiu

    JamesKFChiu Member

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    Thanks buddy, with the HOV access, I can save about 25 minutes on average day and makes my commute less stressful… I believe a 30 minutes of stop-and-go-LA-traffic makes you more worn out than an easy 3 hour interstate drive :)

    P'S: yes this one has carpet for all 4 seats and even the trunk mat :)
     
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