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Hi everyone!

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by thepowerofcheese, Feb 23, 2008.

  1. thepowerofcheese

    thepowerofcheese New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2008
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    Location:
    Long Island NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Hello all, I have just recently purchased my 2008 prius on 1/31 and I am loving it. Took some getting used to and I have to say I have not mastered it yet. As of right now I’m getting around 35 to 36 MPG. I admit I have a bit of a lead foot but I’m working on that. Ether way its over 3 times better then the 2001 ford ranger I owned prior and the prius will just get better with age. This site has helped answer a lot of questions I have been wondering about and I thank you all for sharing what you know and have experienced. I do have a question about the B or Brake position on the shift lever, does this charge the battery more efficiently then costing or regular braking? So far after trying really hard the best I can get the battery charged to is 7 out of 8 green bars. With only 700 miles, is my prius just getting the battery primed? I try not to use the electric motor only so the battery doest dissipate and let up on the gas pedal on take off. I’m shooting to get up to those 4 small top bars, is this something that’s possible or am I just wasting time. The longest trips I take are about 30 min’s. Thanx all!

    P.S. my babies Black and sorry about no pix’s
    John
     
    #1 thepowerofcheese, Feb 23, 2008
  2. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2006
    2,507
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    Location:
    Chicagoland, IL, USA, Earth
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to PriusChat! I hope we can continue to help you, and before you know it you can help others! But to get started, I'll try to answer your questions.

    I assume you know about pumping up the tire pressure to say 40 psi front and 38 back to improve your mileage? Short trips and cold weather hurt mileage also. Otherwise just drive it normally at first, and see what the fuel consumption screen shows you. For more accurate control you can use the energy screen (no arrows is good, arrows from the battery should be avoided).
    No. B is used for engine braking (like going down long steep hills). It does not recharge the battery at all.
    I'd say you're wasting time. The computer will avoid the top bar in most cases, no need for that much in the battery (the battery life is longest when you avoid full charges and discharges, altho this gauge already has a buffer at the top and bottom you don't see). So it's just a case of the computer being smarter than you are :) At first, watching the consumption screen with the five-minute and instantenous mileage readings is more instructive.
    What's your average trip? That's the key number.
     
    #2 nerfer, Feb 23, 2008
  3. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
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    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Welcome to PriusChat, thepowerofcheese!

    Nerfer gave you some good pointers, but I have to disagree on one point. B mode is, as he said, used for engine braking going down hill. You won't need it on L.I. and probably not even in upstate or PA. However, it provides some regenerative braking too, so it does charge the High Voltage battery, just not very efficiently.

    I, too, say don't try to get a full green battery. The car keeps the battery in an optimum charge range. Many people on flat land never see a full green battery and still get good MPG. I live at the bottom of a long hill and see a green battery frequently from braking down the hill, but all that charge gets used when I climb the hill the next time I leave.

    Unless the car is fully warmed up, it's pretty hard to get over 25 MPG for the first five minutes, so the secret for getting good MPG is to not take short trips. But if you have to, don't worry about it. Enjoy driving! :car:
     
    #3 Bill Merchant, Feb 23, 2008
  4. thepowerofcheese

    thepowerofcheese New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 23, 2008
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    Location:
    Long Island NY
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Thanks for the help guys.
     
    #4 thepowerofcheese, Feb 23, 2008
  5. patrickindallas

    patrickindallas Shire rat

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2007
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    Location:
    Vancouver, WA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Welcome to the club!

    +1 to everything they said.

    Jack up the air pressure.

    Cut out the short trips.

    If you have several errands to run, do the one that is farthest away first.

    You will see your mpg soar.:plane:
     
    #5 patrickindallas, Feb 23, 2008
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