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62mpg 20 Miles mostly freeway

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by dwillem, Mar 21, 2021.

  1. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    is the displayed 62 MPG for a 19 mile freeway trip (Newhall, CA to North Hollywood, CA) accurate? I read enough on this site to expect a few MPG less than displayed, but 62 MPG? its a 2012 C2 with 70K. That seems way high for this car.
     
  2. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

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    It's "close". But the mileage isn't too high. My C showed 61.7 mpg on my way home from Indy yesterday. Had the wind to my back. On the way up, it was showing mileage in the mid 50's.

    The only way to find out the true mileage of course it to start recording your fuel purchases & doing the math Or you could go to Fuelly - Track and Compare your MPG , make an account and add to the data there. You can also view typical mileage for your model (or others) there as well.

    That being said, the Prius C on fuelly.com shows about 47 mpg as an average. That is lower than what I get....
     
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Maybe but probably not.

    What was your average speed for the trip ?
    Doing 75 on an open freeway is QUITE different than doing 55 when it is congested.
    Also, is that trip going "downhill" or up ?

    I have been able to get numbers like that with my C.......but ONLY when cruising around 50 MPH.
     
  4. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    I'm not sure what my average speed was. Maybe the display tells me that when shut if off, I'll check next time. I'd guess 65. I was being easy for good MPG. Windows were up with Auto A/C at 72 but it was not hot outside. big hill right when I got on the freeway so of course was stepping on it but then it was downhill afterwards probably making up for it and then mostly flat. I was just curious, either way this car is getting great MPG. I just got it, so I'm learning the car still. When I go to work only 4-5 miles, flat city, light traffic driving mostly 30-45 (sometimes it goes into EV), the display tell me like 57-63 MPG for the trip. that seems so high for a short trip on a cold motor but not complaints, even if it's somewhat close.
     
  5. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    I think I had the wind behind me too. My MPG on the way out in the opposite direction wasn't nearly as good. I promised myself I wouldn't start measuring my fuel consumption when I got this car but I don't know if I can resist. It's sort of addicting watching the MPG and stats. It's funny, I worried this car was going be under powered but I find myself being pretty light footed to get better MPG. Nothing crazy, and I take into account if somebody is behind me...
     
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  6. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    I am about to make two 260 mile round trips from CA to NV and back so that will help me get a feel for the car a bit. Maybe I will measure my actual fuel consumption.

    Not Nevada, my mistake. Los Angeles to Barstow,CA and back. Twice. Meeting somebody half way....
     
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The downhill hill then flat might’ve made up for it.

    that 260 mile round trip will give you better average. That said, the Prius c is capable of high mpg.

    FAEDD194-0A07-4476-831B-A4648A358D88.jpeg

    This was my trip summary from LA to Torrance with some driving around LA prior to the highway stint back to Torrance.

    The round trip from Torrance to LA and back (including sightseeing up Beverley Hills, down Mulholland Dr.) was 55.0mpg over 80+ miles.
     
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  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    That is a bit misleading.
    At speed, the C never really uses only the batteries for propulsion more than a few feet.
    I think that is really showing that it is coasting with the engine OFF......and therefore is in EV mode by default.
     
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Google shows elevations of 1373 feet for Newhall, 643 for North Hollywood, a net drop of 730 feet in 19 miles. If those elevations are close to the actual start and end points of your particular trip, then for that mild net descent (0.73% grade), that MPG can be accurate. But you'll pay it all back on the ascent side.

    For my Gen3 Liftback, I have a crude rule of thumb that 10,000 feet of elevation change is worth about 1 gallon of fuel, both climbing and descending. For your 19 mile trip, if the car would get 50.0 mpg on that 19 miles as a flat trip, then it could get 61.9 mpg on your descent, or 41.9 on the ascent.

    The route doesn't have to be uniformly downhill to get this boosted result, it can do so even with mixed climbs and descents, if the hills (especially descents) are mild. But there are numerous conditions that mess this up, so you won't see this much boost on all downhill routes. But you will always pay on the uphill direction.

    Downwind also helps. Unfortunately I did a cross-state trip yesterday into strong headwinds, getting only 43 mpg on a route that can beat 50 in better weather.
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Mar 22, 2021
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2021
  10. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    Thanks for all the info guys. I completed one 260 Mile round trip (doing another Easter Sunday) from Los Angeles to Barstow and back. The Trip summary reported 54.6 MPG, I calculated 51.245 MPG. I refueled at the same gas station but different pump (because somebody decided to park their car at the pump). So it's pretty close to the trip summary display.
     
  11. dwillem

    dwillem New Member

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    Hey I lived in Torrance for about 10 years. I see very similar results driving around town in LA. I often finish even short trips at 50+ even 60+ MPG reported on the trip summary. This car seems to do really well between 25-45mph, even with moderate stop and go, as long as I am easy on the gas. I guess that's why the C stands for city.. On the other hand, I discovered I can drive it around town in a more spirited fashion, and still get 40+ MPG. I'm pretty happy overall.
     
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