My Prius only getting 35mpg

Bob:

Haven't had a wheel alignment, tires seem to be wearing evenly. Actual mileage on her car is 16,000. Could this still be a problem?

It seems peculiar that the MFD doesn't vary more than a few tenths from 44.6 MPG average, no matter what, and actual measured MPG shows an average of 43.9 after averaging eleven fillings recently. The regional tech says the programing is a different version, I don't know what that has to do with this kind of a problem.

Also, we have taken several trips of over 200 miles round trip to the mountains in Arizona, in formation, with the same results. I would think that sure eliminates most of the variables.

Arnie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(arniesalsared @ Jul 7 2007, 11:56 PM) [snapback]474952[/snapback]</div>

Yes. "After eliminating the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, is the truth" - Sherlock Holmes.

However, another alternative to an alignment is a 'hill rolling test.' Find a shallow hill that ends in a flat. Warm-up both cars and then starting from the same spot with the cars in "N", let off the brake and see how far both cars roll. If one rolls further than the other, especially after three tests, one of them needs to have everything from the tires to the transaxle checked out.

The first step would be tire air pressure followed by alignment and finally, checking out the transaxle. In neutral, both cars should roll the same distance. Now if they do have the same "N" rolling characteristics, the problem lies in the engine side and/or some subtle operation mode not yet 'normalized.' But let's start with the hill rolling test and eliminate rolling drag as a problem.

If you are coming up on a tire rotation, be sure it includes getting a hard copy of an alignment test.

Bob Wilson

 

THANKS NERFER!!!


I have tweaked my driving habits around your advice and it has helped alot. I filled up for the first time at 386 miles (8 gallons) the MFD screen showed 48.2 MPG. I let my brother drive down to my aunts house (30 mins Highway) from Coon Rapids to Eagan and he destroyed my MPG brought it from 49 down to 45-46. Using your tips I drove it back on the way home and was between 50-70 MPG. I took a picture on my Cell. Now I just got to figure out how to upload it.

[attachmentid=9547]

P.S. Now on my 2nd tank of gas MFD is showing 51 MPG

Thanks Much!

Peter

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Neicy @ Jul 1 2007, 07:38 AM) [snapback]470965[/snapback]</div>

Check the tire pressure I would bet that the left side is underinflated in comparison to the right.
Whatever you decide to put your tire pressure to Preferable 44 front, 42 rear they must be the same on both sides.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Jul 9 2007, 07:52 AM) [snapback]475424[/snapback]</div>

I can't believe most of the responses to the poor mileage concerns. The Prius is an automobile, meant to be driven as any other car, not "coasted" like a skateboard. I can't imagine how you can enjoy the driving experience when you coddle the car to stretch your mpg. I've put 2000 miles on my new 07 Touring edition since Apr and I've never gotten better than 41 mpg. I don't accelerate quickly, but i do drive fast. I love my car but am disappointed given the epa estimates.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FrankB @ Jul 9 2007, 08:08 AM) [snapback]475428[/snapback]</div>

You just have to drive normal and you will get 50 MPG, my wife doesn't do anything but drive my prius normal (no need to confuse her with radical driving techniques) and even when she uses it for her 90 mile round trips to school she averages 50 on the highway driving at 70 MPH.

You are probably too aggressive of a driver, chances are that if you were in a regular car you would have a hard time cracking 20. Now I understand that some people have terrain issues and overcrowded metro areas to deal with that will lower your numbers. And again if you have less then 36 PSI in those tires you might as well throw out an anchor.

 

That's exactly how I drive the car, and that's exactly what I get.

I get anywhere between 42mpg (very hot days, AC on heavy, short trips/in town) and 53mpg (all freeway, light AC use, but going 70mph).

I refuse to drive the car any differently than I drive, or have driven, any other car. You don't have to. If you're forced to change your driving habits just to get more than 35mpg, something is wrong with the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FrankB @ Jul 9 2007, 07:08 AM) [snapback]475428[/snapback]</div>

I am a speeder. I go 65-70 to and from work/school. On roads with posted limits of 55-65. I am managing 51 MPG through simple easy-to-use techniques. The biggest change to my driving was accelerating slower at higher speeds.

I dont see how Gliding down hills is not part of normal driving. I am by no means a hypermiler. But most of this techniques I used with my 90 Accord.

Standard Driving Techniques:

Dont Jackrabbit
Glide to the stoplight/sign
Speed up a little before going up a hill
Coast/Glide down hills
Dont take alot of short/cold trips

New Techniques:

PnG: Speed up 5-8 mph faster then you were going and glide back down. (Not very complex)



The only time I would say I ever "Coddle" my new car is when I am cold starting it in the morning and weaving my way through city/town roads to the freeway. I am sorry I dont need to speed or even go 30 (sometimes) through my neighboorhood so I can hit some poor kid chasing a ball.

 

Vadercar & FrankB, block the upper grill (yes, even now) for a couple more mpg.

FrankB, what is your daily commute?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FrankB @ Jul 9 2007, 05:08 AM) [snapback]475428[/snapback]</div>

Some folks do enjoy stretching their mileage, like this guy http://www.motherjones.com/news/feature/20...ypermilers.html and these guys http://hybridcars.about.com/od/news/a/100mpgrecord.htm (well, the first guy was one of these). Besides these folks, there are some more at http://www.hybridfest.com/2006HF.htm.

If you inflated your tires a little above the recommended pressure on the driver's side sticker and adjusted your driving habits a little, I bet you could get a few more mpg.

Since you mention the EPA mileage "estimates", do you know how they're derived? See http://priuschat.com/index.php?autocom=art...rticle&id=3, http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml and http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fe_test_schedules.shtml if you're curious. I suspect you drive above 60 mph and average 48 mph on the highway... Well, the old (MY 2007 and earlier) highway test max speed was 60 and the average 48.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(morpheusx @ Jul 9 2007, 05:25 AM) [snapback]475432[/snapback]</div>

I diasgree w/the above, esp. w/California gas (CARB RFG) in conjunction w/keeping up w/the flow of traffic here. My lifetime avg. is ~45.7 mpg after almost 20K miles. Even w/slightly overinflated tires, I can only manage above 50 mpg if I keep my highway speeds below at or below 70 mph as much as possible. On the highway I usually take, the speed limit is 65 mph, but at 70, you get passed constantly. Even at 75, you get passed fairly often.

See http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&show...st&p=367477 for what I'm talking about regarding gas blends.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Jul 9 2007, 08:46 PM) [snapback]475882[/snapback]</div>

Nah, blocking the grill doesnt help.... I hand painted racing stripes on my car with my little brother's water color set.

 

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No, he's not.

And it's THAT wrong-headed attitude that actually weakens Prius sales, and makes the car seem like some sort of freak show that people are scared to get into.

The driver is ALWAYS getting the benefits of HSD. No car, no Toyota even, will get 42mpg in the city without HSD.

You plainly don't understand HSD and Toyota's concept here.

The fact that you CAN drive weirdly and EXTEND the mileage is a benefit of HSD. But it's not REQUIRED that you drive weirdly just to get the main benefits of HSD. Drive it like any other car, and get huge benefits right away.

Where do you come up with this crazy idea that it's REQUIRED that you drive the car in some special way just to get the benefits of HSD, that otherwise you're getting the same mileage as any other car???

 

The thing with the Prius is that if you drive it exactly like any other car, you will get better FE in the Prius.

If you drive the Prius as you would a GTI (or other sports compact), you'll get poor MPG, but still better than thos sports compacts (but not as much fun as the Prius is not a sporty car).

If you drive the Prius economically, the same way you would drive any other car economically, you'll get great MPG. I don't think you be far off the EPA estimates.

Then you can go for the hypermiler techniques to get "extreme" MPG. And then you can go all the way like the Japanese hypermilers to get "ridiculous" MPG.

Bottom line is: You don't have to drive the Prius differently from other cars to get great FE, and almost always better than other cars, but to get "extreme" MPG, you must let yourself be one with the Prius.


Stein

 

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<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FrankB @ Jul 9 2007, 09:38 PM) [snapback]475428[/snapback]</div>

Frank,
if you drive fast and brake hard you would be disappointed with the EPA estimates for whatever you drove. The EPA figures aren't tested like that, each manufacturer does what they can to get the best mileage for their product when testing. The EPA rate is a comparison tool only. I guess you need to compare with the fuel use of the vehicle you replaced with your Prius. How does it compare to that? What was the EPA estimated consumption for the car you replaced with the Prius? Were you happy with that cars mileage?

I get a great deal of pleasure from driving for economy just as I did as a youth driving for speed. Driving for economy in the Prius doesn't mean slow, I don't mess about getting going but it means once I'm up to speed I drive differently and I look ahead and plan. I managed as good as 7.5L/100km from the 2 litre Camry I replaced with the Prius and I have managed 4.2L/100km from my Prius while showing off the performance of my "funny little half electric car" as my sister called it. I had 4.6L/100km average on the display then, I have 4.4L/100km on it now so I can't wait to check my mileage on next fill up.

Quick edit, I need to add that all my driving is in metroplitan areas and city driving with only 5 kilometres of motorway driving each day on a normal commute round trip of 70km.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(catgic @ Jul 12 2007, 08:19 PM) [snapback]477410[/snapback]</div>

It is not compulsory for anyone to drive in a special way if they are prepared to pay for the fuel. No idea why a person who isn't concerned with mileage would buy a Prius but each to his own.

Sorry Catgic, you might not think you drive weirdly but as you are in a minority among the motoring population you do drive weird if you "drive my fuel-sipper with a Hybrid Zen Mastery. When I drive, "
the vast majority don't do that.

The concept of Prius is you can drive it like any other car. There are ways of getting exceptional economy and you can use some or all of those techniques if you choose to but it isn't a requirement to get a benefit from HSD.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DreamcastDC @ Jul 1 2007, 01:48 AM) [snapback]470945[/snapback]</div>

Turn on the screen which displays instantaneous MPGs and watch it out of the corner of your eye. After a while your fuel economy will improve.

 

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You plainly chose to twist things around to make yourself sound good, but only to yourself and to those who didn't read your words.

Go back up and re-read what I said: "No car, no Toyota even, will get 42mpg in the city without HSD."

You responded about a 15 year old car you used to have that got 45 on the highway.

In other words, you responded with a non sequitur in the hopes that people would gloss over what you said and think you were actually being responsive and that the "45mpg" would stick in their brains.

Don't ever twist things around like that again.

And yes, you choose to drive the car weirdly. Fact.