Prius Mileage

great records... interesting that you calculated how much money you saved by driving the Prius verses your old car....

i thought about doing the same thing but i cant count that high

 

Our new 2005, albeit only has about 85 miles now, has been getting an average of 38 mpg IN TOWN and only slightly higher on the freeway (oddly enough about 43mpg). I am no led foot, but I also dont believe in holding up traffic in order to eek out better milage. I go with the flow. I think Toyota GROSSLY MISREPRESENTED the milage stats. Don't get me wrong, I love the car still, but I am somewhat put off by the misleading advertizing. Even the dealer leveled with us that the stats were B.S. Should Toyota be held responsible for this?

 

Sorry, but making the assumption that the big numbers on the window sticker represent what you will actually get (under all circumstances) is the problem.

Read the actual detail... http://john1701a.com/prius/images/Prius_Wi...ndowSticker.jpg

Notice how that is more realistic. Of course, it still assumes you are using summer-formula gas and the temperature is warm.

 

The carmakers in the US are legally required to only advertise the EPA numbers. Blame the EPA. It should be noted the advertised mileage numbers are also liable to be high for conventional automobiles as well, but, unlike the Prius, those cars typically don't tell the driver what mileage they're getting.

 

I almost always average slightly less or slightly more than the EPA figures without making anyone angry with me. I drive the speed limit. My avatar shows my normal mileage although I am currently at 57.7 MPG for the past 370 miles and climbing. Not bad for February, where our temps have been ranging between 40 and 70 degrees.

 

sorry I offended you. Yeah, the car is new and perhaps I was expecting milage like was advertized... I should break it in (like 500 miles) before I cast a judgement... right? OK... will do.

 

Nice article. Thanks for the link.

 

Toyota wanted to advertise "realistic" mileage but was not allowed to. only official EPA stats can be stated. they actually looked to get an exception because they felt it applicable because of the vast differences in the way true hybrids operate. the EPA didnt feel the need to enlighten the public, so they disagreed.

obtw... the mileage figures are obtainable as many in this forum can attest

 

I have always been fuel conscious. I am by no stretch of the imagination a lead foot. Actually, my OTHER car is a 95 Honda Civic VX. When the speed limit was 55, I actually drove 55 on the freeway to work (at the time it was about 35 miles each way) for the entire tank and got .... drum roll please.... 51mpg! I still have the car (even though my wife trashed the rear end) because as of this time it still gets the best milage of any car I have ever had. I do have high expectations for our Prius though, and we love this car.
We moved closer to work and now the commute is a measly 5 miles. I heard that the Prius does not perform at its best until it is thoroughly warmed up, but I am afraid that my average commute now may not give the engine a chance. If nothing else, this car DOES burn CLEANER than ANY CAR I have ever had. I will NEVER buy another 100% gas car again if I have the option.

 

Tony, I agree. I have actually already noticed this, but have not put it into play yet. I'll get it a try.

 

A quick check of our last 4 gas reciepts showed any where from 47 to 49 mpg average for our Prius, with combined highway and stop-n-go driving. With over 28K on the car, it is definitely broken in and running well. Cruise control is used only when we are traveling on interstates and for long periods of time.

I have noted (and my kids will back me up on this) that when my wife drives the car, the average mileage goes down, while it tends to go up when I drive the car. I figure it is technique, as I tend to back off the gas pedal in areas where I know I can coast. I have been able to get the average from about 45-46 to over 50 just by modulating the gas pedal (vs. holding it steady). It seems that when we use cruise control, it holds the speed so steady that the display will show a flat line for our 5 minute averages.

 

There is definitely a sweet spot on the pedal at any given speed or road condition. I can change the MPG so dramatically while maintaining the same speed, wary in as much as the reliability of this readout may be. Im can make a difference of 20 or 30mpg with a VERY subtle easing of the pedal. This may not be unique to the Prius, but the display right in your face certainly drives home an awareness of driving technique. The Prius, in a way, gives you a cookie for being a good-dog. Already when I drive the OLD Cherokee (now and then) I feel like I am comandeering a bolder down the road.

 

I am still surprised at the number of people who still regard the gas mileage on the window sticker of a new car to be accurate. It is best used only as a relative figure. A car that has a 26 mpg label will usually get better gas mileage that one that has a 21 mpg label.

I paid most attention to Consumers Reports figures. They rated the Prius at 44 mpg for a mix of city and highway driving. That is closer.

I have had my 2005 BC Prius for a couple of weeks now and am on the 2nd tank. The first got me 50 mpg on a variety of roads and the second tank looks like about 48 mpg right now.

My only problem was in getting gas into the tank when I refueled it. I knew I would have to use the slowest detent on the hose but even that didn't work. I had to barely crack the hose and old it. It kept cutting off. At 9 gal. it popped off again and I assumed I had given it too much pressure. I tried again and it puked about a cup of gas. Think I'll try another gas pump next time and will be leary at 8 gal or above.

Love the car, though.

 

Does anyone has detailed explanation as to why Prii have such poor MPG for the first 2 miles (or first 5 minutes)? The difference is quite dramatic compared with a pure ICE vehicle. My daily commute is about 16 miles one way. I have been getting 46mpg. Not complaining. However, the first 2 miles or 5 minutes is always around 30mpg. I do have a BMW with on board computer that gives MPG numbers. It is not as dramatic when it is cold.

One possible explanation I have is
- the energy used to quickly heat up CAT to reduce emission

Anything else? Please educate me.