Big difference between 2004 and 2007 mileage. Why?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(greybeard @ Nov 18 2006, 01:11 PM) [snapback]351484[/snapback]</div>

With 2007 Prius, I got 55MPG on the 1st tank and 58MPG on the 2nd tank (car now has 900 Mile). 15% City 85% congested Freeway, I don't have HOV sticker yet... I think MPG will decrease when I drive on the HOV lane.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Nov 18 2006, 08:41 PM) [snapback]351516[/snapback]</div>

My 18 mo 45 MPG average came back after a few hundred miles on new larger wider softer tires. Cooler weather is definately better on fuel economy that hot or cold weather.

 

I've been getting 48-51 and just hit 2,000 miles.

 

50 to 52 mpg in a touring '07

 

hey grey!!


i went from an 04 to an 06 and my summer mileage did drop significantly (about 5 mpg). but i attributed that to break-in. new tires, getting oil settled in the crannies (as opposed soiling up granny...hehe...sorry, couldnt resist) and that kind of stuff.

but so far, my winter mileage is doing better. but we havent had a lot of winter around here yet. one thing you might do is block your radiator.

there is a risk, albeit a small one. so its up to you. i will say that the risk is very very minor of overheating.

what i did is got some pipe insulation, cut it in half and covered up the top and bottom grills. not extremely cute, but effective and easy. others have created a way of closing the opening of the bra to block airflow.


but i think you will see your mileage come back just fine in the spring. you did do the normal adjustments right??? tire pressure, etc

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Nov 23 2006, 10:37 AM) [snapback]353466[/snapback]</div>

I am with graybeard, both in where i live and what kind of milage i get. I have a 2007 touring and am getting about 40.5 MPG, i have 1,800 miles on it. the 40.5 is cummulative but i keep track of tank milage and it is staying right at that number. I am trying pulse and glide, driving responsibly, and yet i cannot build the MPG. Now i do drive mostly in Seattle but i have taken a road trip (i drove to Walla Walla- no thats not a stutter) and did not see noticable improvement. I have not checked my tire pressure and will do that but i made the assumption that the dealer did that before releasing the car. I am still waiting for the "big breakthrough" and really am not being unrealistic and am hoping to get between 45 and 48 MPG.
I must admit I am somewhat dissapointed andwould be very interested in any other Seattle/Washington area driver's input as well as any other. Seattle is hilly but so are a lot of other areas, and i do do my share of short trips. i also had been using the Auto Temp control but have stopped that.
I have noted that the battery level on the energy screen is always below full and the bars are blue, and i have not seen it turn to green which i have heard happens when it is full.
Any input would be helpful

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(squall @ Feb 28 2007, 07:19 PM) [snapback]398145[/snapback]</div>

The tp at factory spec is considered by many here to be soft. 42/40 seems to be the concensus. If your temperatures are under 50F don't worry about blocking the grill. I admit that it took me awhile to become comfortable with the idea and even now it isn't fully blocked. Do it in stages. If the engine gets too warm the fan will start. The engine runs cool so I'll bet you haven't heard the fan start up yet.

Short trips are mpg killers. Expect 25mpg or so for the 1st 5 minutes as the engine warms things up.

There is no big breakthrough. A number of small improvements add up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(squall @ Feb 28 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]398145[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like you are doing good for this time of the year and before the car is broken-in. I am geting 39-42 with lots of short trips. I maintain tire pressures of 42/40 and get in the high 40's-to low 50's when the weather warns up. Let us know how you are doing when you get around 5,000 miles on it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(squall @ Feb 28 2007, 04:19 PM) [snapback]398145[/snapback]</div>

Hi squall

40.5 mpg seems a bit low. I would be getting that but for my radiator blocking, block heater and occasional long trips. But more than that, I want to contribute some perspective.

When I was getting 24 mpg with my former car, that was 4 gal/100 mi.
At 40 mpg you are getting ~2.5 gal/100 mi
At 49 mpg I am getting ~ 2.0 gal/100 mi.

When we get into the rarified atmosphere of the mpg expectations of our Prii, it is an ego thing as much as a real economy thing. A Harley "Hog" is doing well at 35 mpg! You are doing better than that.

I hope you do better as it warms up and you have a few more miles.

 

I live in Camas, WA and dirve in the Portland Metro area.

My new 2007 Prius has gotten as high as 49 MPH on my comute over the West Hills of Portland.

I really appreciate the Tire Pressure suggestion of 40 to 42, because I am used to always using 32 lbs, and I know manufacturers specify 26-28 psi for a smooth ride. I wouldn't be surprised at all if the dealers are instructed to have low tire pressure for a nice smooth and quiet test drive experience.

I guess I'll try the blocking the radiator, but it does worry me.

Someone should create a air bladder bag that blocks the front vents and deflates a little at a time if the motor does get too hot. Toyota, you can use my idea. I know you already thought of this anyway.

 

We've had our 2007 Prius for just over 2 months. Lifetime mpg 48.5, and it's been pretty cold in NW Ohio. Most of my driving has been 13 mile commutes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Feb 28 2007, 08:30 PM) [snapback]398266[/snapback]</div>

I know how you feel. Radiator blocking is an issue.

I bought a ScanGauge and now have a CAN-VIEW so I monitor the coolant temp all the time. Recently I drove over to Vancouver Canada and back in Canada (the pass is higher). It was a 9 hour drive each way and I didn't pause. The temp got as high as 210 degrees for a very short period on the steepest part and very quickly went down when I went over the top. The rest of the time it stayed below 200 degrees.

Because of the pressurized system, 230 degrees is safe. Around town, I never see over 200 degrees if the outside temp is under 50 degrees. Still, I would invest in a device which measures the coolant temp if only for peace of mind. There is a group buy on the ScanGauge right now.

 

seattle is a tough town to get good mileage especially if doing a lot of hills and there are a lot of hills to do.

dont rely on the dealer to set tire pressures because factory spec is 35/33. putting them at 42Front/40 rear will increase your mileage a good 5% and increase your tire life about 25%. you might sacrifice a bit of comfort with a rougher ride(i have never been able to tell) but you will gain stability as well so its a trade off. as far as what your tires can handle, you can safely inflate to 42/40 and still be well within the safety range.