Solid 48 MPG'ers!

I have had my Prius for the same time with half the mileage on it you have done, but also getting the same result with a little highway mileage on a short commute (10 miles). There's 2 good graphs in the Fuel Economy Section, MPH Versus MPG Graph Curve that show consumption at different speeds, most informative and from my viewpoint about right to what I'm doing right now.

 

I don't have quit the miles on my Prii as you do but I am also avg. about 48 "mpgers". I have seen an increase in MPG as the temps here in NC have gone up.

 

It's in how you drive. I don't have near the mileage that you do, but I'm already thoroughly convinced of that.

Admittedly, I don't have alot of terrain to deal with, and the temperature is always over 70 F, but that really doesn't matter. I could drive the car and get 40 mpg, or I can continue to drive it albeit a little conservatively and get 53+. That's my choice, not the car's.

No, I don't do anything extreme; I'm generally around the speed limit or a little under, but never over unless it becomes a safety issue. I also try not to "rush up" on anything, i.e., I drive defensively, trying to anticipate the things that might happen around me and acting accordingly.

The Prius doesn't drive "differently" than any other car I've ever had left-seat time in. However, while it does its level best to not embarrass its driver, it doesn't tolerate egotistical drivers well.

Does that mean that someone who's not beating the EPA numbers is driving it wrong? No, it doesn't. "Right and wrong" are relative. If you're getting 48 in a place that's as flat as S. Florida, well, that's nothing to sneeze at, but you might do better (it's up to you and what you want). If you're doing 48 in hilly or mountainous terrain, then that's pretty good and you should be proud.

The important thing is that you and the rest of us are actually thinking about what we're doing and made deliberate choices to do something a little different. That's how real change happens, one small step at a time.

Peace

 

I've been getting right around 50+ for the 1600 miles or so I've had the car. My commute is 85 miles roundtrip, some city, mostly hilly 1-lane country roads. I use cruise control as much as possible, and don't shy away from using the heat or A/C. I was getting 53-55mpg until I took off the trim rings, not sure yet if that's a coincidence or not. Switching to Amsoil 0w-30 in a couple weeks, hopefully that will make a difference. 50 mpg is great mileage, but I'm getting greedy, so I want 53.

 

Other than winter (when something is done to the gas that cuts the mpgs by about 5), I am consistently getting 48-49 with a 70% highway (~speed is 70 mph) drive cycle.