new and only 25mpg???

Don't panic!
There's a thread on how to maximize your MPG, but keep in mind that a new car needs to break in a bit.
Also, how many miles were already on the car?
You don't know how much gas was actually in the tank when you got it...
New car, new tires, the gas... it all affects your mileage.
Give it a few tanksful. Keep a logbook, and do the math yourself. After about 5 tanks, look at your overall average.

Have fun, and enjoy just driving the car.

Oh, and short trips make for lower mileage.

 

Welcome!

One question, how long are your trips? If they are very short your mileage will go down.

 

and your transmission is in "D" or "B"?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 10 2007, 03:27 PM) [snapback]493753[/snapback]</div>

Hi Callmetuck

Have you reset the mileage yet? The first few miles when the car is moved from the factory to the truck and from the truck to the ship, etc. are terrible mileage. If you haven't reset it, that figures in this tank.

I reset mine on the way home from the dealer and it showed over 70 mpg when I got home. (The reset is in the lower right of the screen) I always reset mine when I refill.

The next tank will be much better. Just drive it and ENJOY!

Allan

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 11 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]493995[/snapback]</div>

Use only "D". There's no reason anywhere in Florida to use "B" ("engine Braking"). Using "B" will siginficantly reduce your fuel economy.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 11 2007, 12:29 PM) [snapback]493995[/snapback]</div>

Here. Read this.
http://priuschat.com/New-owner-Want-MPG-he...rst-t15311.html
Have your alignment checked and make them give you the numbers at the dealer. check the pressure in your tires. To max MPG's use 42 on the front and 40 on the rear tires. It is safe...lots of people here do this. It is below the rating on the side of the tire. understand that the ICE(gas engine) runs if you are going down hill and coasting greater than 41 miles per hour. If you have lots of city driving and short trips understand that when you start your car from cold that the ICE runs until the engine coolant is up to about 169 deg F except in stage 2 about 127 deg F. Read the 5 stages of operation here:
http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=4...amp;hl=5+stages
Go to the HERE link in that post. (not work friendly at my work)
I don't have time to list everything else that would help. Read this site for a month straight in your off time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 10 2007, 07:27 PM) [snapback]493753[/snapback]</div>

My advice is to stop driving like a little old lady. IMO "slow" acceleration produces low mpg over a longer period of time than "brisk" acceleration over a shorter period. I'm not saying to floor it or to be the first off the line but once you pass the point of electric only acceleration get up to spped quickly.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Aug 11 2007, 06:24 PM) [snapback]494086[/snapback]</div>

I agree with this advice, its better to drive the Prius with a little Pep, and accelerate briskly without racing it.
Don't be afraid to drive your prius like a normal car, you can easily achieve 50 + MPG just by driving it normal. My wife has no problems doing this and she doesn't even understand what is different with the car other then the engine doesn't run at stops.

Also make sure you have checked the obvious things,
1) tire condition / pressure (set PSI to at least the recommended on door frame or up to 44)
2) Oil Level (make sure it is in the safe zone)
3) Set A/C appropriately (I recommend auto a/c set at 77)
4) Air Filter isn't clogged (check for debris inside filter, replace if necessary)
5) Quality Fuel (only buy from high volume name brands)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 10 2007, 06:27 PM) [snapback]493753[/snapback]</div>

Can you find a nice, empty shopping center parking lot that you can drive around in for say 30 minutes at a fixed speed? Ideally, 25 mph?

If so, drive to the parking lot, reset the display and see where you fall in this chart:



This is a chart for the 2003 Prius, NHW11. At a constant speed, especially if you can hold it using cruise control, you should get at least as good as that "green" line. If everything the other posters mentioned: (1) oil level 3/4 of full and (2) tires 42/40 are OK, it is time to visit the dealer and ask "What is wrong?"

Bob Wilson

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Aug 11 2007, 09:51 AM) [snapback]494000[/snapback]</div>

Is this a fact? I was told that when in 'B', the generators do a lot more of the braking - thus charging up the battery at higher speeds.

Can anyone confirm this?

dk

 

Daniel's original five-stages document is long gone, but there's
a backup copy here.
.
And everything you could possibly want to know about B mode is here.
.
_H*

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D K @ Aug 14 2007, 11:21 PM) [snapback]495871[/snapback]</div>

Let me guess. You heard this from the salesman.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 10 2007, 06:27 PM) [snapback]493753[/snapback]</div>

I think the only explanation is that you are a troll. My friend was trying to keep up with a Lotus Exige going up Mt. Tam in San Francisco. I've never seen any one drive a Prius as abusively as my friend. He still got 38 mpg! Going up extremely steep hills (anyone who's been to Mt. Tam knows what it's like), and A/C on. On the highway he often does 95 to 105 mph and still gets 38 minimum. I forgot to mention, my idiot friend (I still love'm) also did a couple of donuts in his Prius on the way back down from Mt. Tam.

So either your car is defective or you are a troll. Have you said you get something in the upper 30s, it would have been more believable. Have you said you live on the North Pole, perhaps! Saying you drive like Jeff Gordon, I'd believe ya! But saying you drive like a grandma, live in sunny Florida and get 25 mpg average, that's nonsense.

Call you Tuck? I'd rather call you Troll. Can you explain what a Touring G model is? I know what it is, but I don't think you do. There are no Touring Gs in the States. Nice try.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 10 2007, 08:27 PM) [snapback]493753[/snapback]</div>

Hi Tuck,

Your problem is that you are not driving with the engine in an optimal efficiency range. Unlike other cars, the Prius needs to be accellerated moderately for best fuel economy. There is no fuel enhancment (the battery does that), and the throttle is controlled non-linearly. So, to get the throttle valve to pop all the way open to reduce pumping losses, you need to give it about .4 to .5 accellerator pedal depression from a stop, then back off all the way once you are at your desired speed. In other cars you would get a big puff of black smoke out the back doing this. In the Prius it just scoots right along. Once the Prius is warmed up, lifting the pedal all the way wil allow the car to go into glide, if the speed is below 40.

Short trips will also sap mileage. But this is the same in any car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Aug 11 2007, 11:29 AM) [snapback]493995[/snapback]</div>

Don't waste your time responding to this guy anymore. He hasn't posted anything here at PriusChat since Aug 11, and then the only thing he posted was these two messages in this discussion.

Was he a troll? Was he just confused? Was he sincere but now has his answer? Don't know, don't care, he seems to be gone.