owned prius 1 year- my average MPG is around 34 :(

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 07:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

It amazes me that the same car, driven by a variety of different people, will report different fuel economys.
In all my cars, I drive "like there's a tomato under the gas, and an egg on the hood".
Have the basics checked out by a certified dealer tech, then if nothings wrong (i doubt there will be) then you need to change your driving habits. <_<

Find the post titled " Reached the Magical 60 MPG"

 

I can not imagine MPG so low...about 8 of my firends all have preii and the lowest we get (even living on hills in san francisco is 41. I get between 44-48 depending on how often I go up hills. My best was 52 in city only no hills (200 plus miles).

 

The short commute definitely hurts overall MPG. It's still warming up for most or all of that time.

Wheel upgrade is probably hurting you too, especially if you have "sticky" tires.

What's your driving style like? I've found I get much better city mileage if I take a soft, smooth, conservative approach to accelerating and braking instead of the really aggressive approach that is so common in my area. If -- and I'm just saying if -- you're lead footing it, I highly recommend softening up. Funny thing is you'll probably get to your destination just as quickly and might even be a little more relaxed when you get there. Worked for me.

35 MPG is definitely on the low end for a Prius. Shouldn't be too hard to find ways to improve that. Even with the short commute, I'm guessing you should be able to get well into the 40's with good driving habits, especially with your favorable climate.

Good observation about the relative mileage. You're still getting more than double what either of the other cars delivered. It all adds up in time!

- Justifyd

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 03:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

Hi sc trojan

You may have confused your speedometer/odometer by the change of tire/wheel size. As a result you may not be getting accurate mileage readings. Do you have "speedometer check sections" on your freeways? They are measured miles for the purpose of deterining the accuracy of your speedometer. When I check mine, I turn to a trip odometer becauase they register tenths of miles and I drive the full five miles. I then figure the percent difference between the indicated mileage and the measured mileage. That tells me if my car is right on or how much it is off.

If such a section is not available, you may have mile posts in the freeway. They are not as accurate but are probably close. If you can drive ten miles it is better than just one mile.

If that is not the cause of the low mileage estimates, I would wonder if the traction battery is working like it should. The known failures have been connected with persistent low mileage. However, the most like cause is driving habits. I just drive mine and average almost 50 mpg overall since it was new.

 

First thing is that the tires will drop your mileage. BTW did they adjust the odometer for the larger tire? I am not sure if the MFD can also be adjusted to reflect the change. You may have to do the calculations by hand.

Also the larger the tire the more the drop. Softer tires will stick more also reducing MPG. The shorter the trip the worse the mileage especially at a higher speed. My one way commute per day is 10 miles but I avg about 35 MPH and it takes me about 25 min to get to work. I am currently getting 78 MPG (MFD).

Driving the rural route lets me coast to stops and relax a little before heading in and from work. I catch up on the news (XM Radio).

I have std 15" tires inflated to the max (maybe a little over)

You should read some of the other posts about getting better mileage. I think it is your driving style since those other cars should be getting around 21 MPG. I suppose you are also using A/C a lot which will hurt MPG. Every efficiency is eeked out on the car so every thing will impact the MPG more. Are your windows tinted? This will help reduce A/C usage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tadashi @ Aug 21 2007, 08:48 PM) [snapback]500042[/snapback]</div>

Looks like you are on track for a new Best Tank! I've gotten close, but still have yet to have a BT of 60. I did have a best short trip (30 miles) of 84 mpg in ideal conditions.

PA P

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 06:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

If you don't mind sharing, I have some questions:

1) Do you typically use the A/C?
2) What brand, model, and size tires do you have on the car?
3) How many stop signs and stop lights on your regular commute?
4) What are the speed limits on your regular commute?
5) Is your regular commute pretty flat, or rather hilly?
6) Do you have any other modifications to the car other than the wheels?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

Deep down, your car must be a UCLA Bruin.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 08:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

Hi Trojan,

Here are a few things you can do driving in that enviorment. I am guessing its jam packed with cars, stop light to stop light, and you just follow along with the line of cars. There is no regeneration or stealthing from speed below 7 mph. An electric car is probably the best technical solution for the particular service you require from a car.

First off check your oil level and rear brakes. The oil level should be 1/8 to 1/4 inch below the top dimple. The rear brakes seem to become over adjusted when the brake is not released during a back-up, some people say. Have you ever had to really push on the gas pedal to get the cars go backwards? Check the rear brake temp.

A real good test to check if your car is funtioning properly would be to get out on a uncrowded relatively level highway, set those big tires at least 38/36 psi and set the cruise control at 62 mph. Reset the mileage meter, and run the car for an hour steady. You should get at least 50 mpg. If not more. If you get anything less than that its either blowing head on very heavy, its raining cats and dogs.

If that checks out, here is what is next. Try to find a road where you can cruise continuously at 35 mph for the first 5 minutes of the commute and drive it normally, without tail gating, and trying to time the traffic lights. This really helps the mileage, as it gets the battery up in SOC (State of Charge), and the engine and catalytic converter warmed up.Which then gives the driver all sorts of driving options.

In heavy traffic, or starting back a few cars from the light, pause slightly when the light goes green to give a good gap , and then use a 1/4 to 1/2 accellerator depression to get up to speed. This will get the car to open its throttle valve all the way, for short burst of engine power. You will quickly catch up with the car in front. Pull your foot all the way off the pedal, and reapply to keep up with traffic. Depending on speed, the car will glide, stealth (driven by electric power only) or keep the engine running but at a minimul power output.

When the first car at a light, do the accelleration a little more heavily, accellerate quickly when the light goes green and repeat the foot work once up to speed (lift completely off the pedal and reapply). The other cars will eventually catch up, but that will allow you to run more efficiently until they do.

I am sure there are more experienced heavy traffic drivers who may comment. I usually do not drive in heavy city traffic, but am commonly in slow and go conditions, although on an Interstate highway.

 

Hi SC Trojan: I live in the San Fernando Valley and average around 45 - 48 MPG driving on both the freeways and surface streets. However my wife can barely manage 38 MPG when she takes the car. Feather feet vs lead foot!!!!!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Justifyd @ Aug 21 2007, 07:05 PM) [snapback]500021[/snapback]</div>

I'm surprised you're the only one who nailed it. A 9 mi commute in the city at say 30 mph avg is 18 min. My 1st 5 min in the morning is always pegged at 25 mpg. 35 mpg seems about right. Take the long way to work, getting in some freeway slow and go and watch that mileage climb. Or try one of the block heaters available elsewhere on the site.

 

Mileage will improve if you release the parking brake while driving.

Seriously, just put a full cup of cofee in the cupholder and drive with the lid off. Once you get used to not spilling you will see your mileage improve dramatically!

Also, with your short commute, you would benefit greatly from a block heater, and from accelerating very gently (try not to let the engine rev up) for the first 1-2 minutes.

The single biggest thing someone can do to learn to improve thier mileage without slowing thier commute is to time stoplights. Look WAY ahead of yourself, if the light is red let off the accelerator... if you are getting closer and it still hasn't turned green, it's time to start braking. The idea here is to never stop moving.

I got 72MPG on my last tank. My wife used to get around 40, but she is up to 47 with the red light tip.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sc_trojan @ Aug 21 2007, 04:42 PM) [snapback]500007[/snapback]</div>

Wow. It's hard to imagine having a car for 15 months and never taking a road trip or getting out of LA.
On our 04, my wife's commute was 4 miles. We only had a couple tanks below 40MPG the first 6 months and we averaged around 45MPG. She was usually able get it into stealth mode on the drive home (a mile with no stops) and consistently got a couple bars in the 80-100 range.
Before doing anything else, drive up to Santa Barbara or someplace to see what you average on the open highway (assuming the right time of day). If you can't get something in the 40s (even with 17" tires) then I'd see what the dealer has to say.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Justifyd @ Aug 21 2007, 08:05 PM) [snapback]500021[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RonH @ Aug 21 2007, 11:24 PM) [snapback]500096[/snapback]</div>

Hmmmm... I don't think he nailed it at all... I drive two miles less at only 7 miles each way, in a colder state, and do a absolute TON on short 1-2 mile hops to fast food restaurants. Doing that, I have averaged almost 46 MPG over almost 20,000 miles. No, I think something bigger is going on here.

I think Allannde may have actually been the one to first nail it. 17" wheels? Less rotations per mile... Good test: Driving 60 MPH, do you get exactly 1 minute between mileage markers on the highway? Less rotations per mile would make the car think it isn't going as far as it is, hence lower perceived mileage.

Of course those who say aggressive driving and other factors can kill mileage ain't wrong either, but I suspect tires may be playing a bigger part here.

By the way, congrats on only 5500 miles over 15 months! And I thought I did low mileage at 10,000 miles a year!!!! (Hmmmm... another symptom...?)

 

You mentioned that you upgraded to scion 17" wheels, but didn't mention your tire size. If the upgrade involved changing the tire diameter, then your calibration for the speedometer and odometer will definately be off. I changed the tire diameter from 30" to 31" on my old Toyota pickup truck and the speedometer thereafter read 5 MPH low. Off course that threw my MPG calcualtions off accordingly.

If that's the case with your Prius, then you need to have your computer reacalibrated and you may find that your MPG isn't so bad after all.

 

My daily commute is 6 miles one-way. Flat roads and 3 stop lights. I use the AC set at 74 degrees since I live in FL. I average 44 MPG for that commute and am very statisfied. The ICE barely get warm. I'm fine with that mileage considering what I have to deal with in terms of conditions. When the car get3 a better workout, I avg. between 45-50 MPG. The best I have ever done was 50 MPG for a tank.

Considering all the factors list, I'm very please with my MPG. Especially in light of the fact that my last car got 22 MPG.

Dont' worry, be happy.

 

Most aftermarket wheels WILL dump mpg and that's why the stockers were chosen by Toyota in the 1st place. Heck, even different rubber chemestries will dramaticly change mpg. Then, as others said, if you didn't recalibrate? Did you ever check mpg by dividing gallons into miles driven? ... or are you just reading the MFD.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Wayne @ Aug 21 2007, 11:06 PM) [snapback]500108[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like my driving, and I get 42 - 45 MPG in the summer, around 35-36 MPG in the winter. My question: How hilly is it where you (and the original poster) drive? Where I live would make a pretty good roller coaster.

So, another 10K a year driver, eh? Next week is my one year anniversary with my Prius, and I just got my 10,000 mile oil change (although I'm a hair under 10,000 miles). Of course, part of those miles is from a 500-mile-each-way and a 300-mile-each-way roadtrip.

 

I'll throw my hat into the "bigger tires are throwing off your actual mileage" camp. I take several short trips as well and i have only averaged less than 40mpg on a tank 1 time and that was the dead of winter with new tires. Oh, and I drive it pretty much like any other car.