2 easy rules for better MPG

As I slid into the right turn, running the light because I was not using the brakes, I remarked, 'Hmm, this may be a ugly accident, but look at my MFD! I'm averaging over 65 MPG!'

 

sounds like you accelerated to too high a speed and didn't do a good job of anticipating that corner OR the light!

 

I think rule 1 should be:
never use your accelerator pedal.


And then you have it... infinite mpg because the earth is moving through space

 

You're right on target, IMHO. And these aren't Prius-specific. I am convinced that anyone can quickly pick up 10-20% improvement in fuel economy just by doing what the CleanMPG crowd calls DWB -- driving without brakes. Or more accurately, driving as though you have no brakes. If you knew you had no brakes, I guarantee you'd be babying that thing! And that's a major part of anticipatory driving -- watching the lights and traffic, planning your slowdowns, and using available kinetic energy to its fullest.

The no-left-turn thing is part of the broader topic of route planning -- choosing a route that allows for maximum fuel economy (but not at the expense of greater overall fuel consumption, of course) and, for multi-stop trips, carefully planning the stop sequence.

 

How will I get out of my neighborhood?

 

Better to coast to stops and never accelerate too briskly.

Drive just under the speed limit, including and especially on the freeway.

Those are non-Prius as well.

 

What about those who live in UK, Japan and Australia?

 

Back out.

Tom

 

Don't tailgate the person in front of you, leave a buffer zone. Biggest thing you can do for fuel economy.

 

sigh. I need a deal on keyboards by the gross!

 

I disagree with the moderate acceleration brigade.
I think left turns are preferred where I live however if you time your turns across traffic you may be able to get around without stopping, pick the gap.
Coast rather than slow on overrun throttle
overrun throttle is better than light braking
light braking is better than heavy braking
heavy braking is better than crashing

Constant speed is better than slowing down.
Timing the slowdown to avoid needing to stop is better than stopping.
Try to arrive behind stopped traffic so your speed is maintained as traffic moves away from in front of you.
Leave a big gap, 2 to 3 seconds and be cool if someone moves into the gap, they pay tax too. Just back off to open the gap. I bet the guy who move into your gap will soon move out.
Drive your own drive, don't let the clown in front determine how you drive.

Ignore my post if you currently get better than 59mpg.

 

i'm qualified to ignore, but i won't. the last point is the best point. i can also add don't let the clown behind you determine how you drive!

 

Oh, I thought that went without saying.
Good point, the only way I let tailgaters dictate how I drive is, the closer they get the bigger the gap I need in front so I don't need to brake hard. Braking hard is dangerous when a fool is trying to get his toy truck in the back of your Prius.