Another New Owner Post

After four months of reading here and priuschat.com and greenhybrid.com, I made the decision to purchase a brand new 2006, Barcelona Red, Package 7, Toyota Prius on 30 June 06 (well it had 1 mile on it). Well it turns out they had one in stock.

To combine many thoughts from different threads. I got it at a $1000 under MSRP from Priority Toyota in Chesapeake, VA. They had two more on the lot at the time. By the way, Checkered Flag Toyota was willing to go $1000 under MSRP too (eight week lead). Carmax in Laurel Springs?, MD is selling that at $1000 under MSRP too (about eight week lead). I couldn't believe it after reading many posts on long waits; maybe I should have played the lottery that day I bought mine.

Many thanks to efusco, DanMan32, and john1701a, ken1784, hobbit, Darrell the electric nut, and others, for all the information in your posts.

I have torn myself away from my 2001 BMW M5 to drive this car; and other than being able to corner like its on rails and go 60 mph in less than 5 seconds, the prius is truely an amazing vehicle. The navigation system is so clear. The split screen option is amazing. I still need to learn more about the navigation and get a bluetooth phone.

Observations:

1. It really is a bigger car than one would think.
2. I thought I would have to travel on 25 mph roads and stealth all the time to get the best city mileage.
3. #2 is so wrong others will understand. Constantly using the battery without letting it charge wasn't so good for the MPG numbers. So far (1st tank, 302 hybrid miles, 302 miles on car) I get the best mileage when I can use a dead band pulse and no arrow glide on a 35 mph speed limited road (when there is no traffic is behind me). I drove 57 miles yesterday in surbaban city traffic, 85 F, 70ish % RH, flat terrain, moderate to light traffic, tires 42/40, oil full, 250 miles on car, and got about 64 mpg. I used the MFD numbers to report that, so +/- 2-4%.
3. The battery really gets charged at speeds over 42 mpg and it doesn't take that long.
4. I can undstand how some people get 35-40 mpg. They need to listen and apply information from this and other websites.
4. My friends/coworkers are sick of hearing me talk about clean emmissions and mpg numbers.
5.

Questions:

1. I can dead-band accelerate 90% of the time above 23ish mph? Is this normal? Why not at 15 mph?
2. This one is touchy: Can I switch to synthetic at 1000 miles. Yes, I know some will say to just follow the maintenance plan. I may just do it for peace of mind. No dinasour soup for me. he he. Is it too early to switch. Does the engine need more break in time. Yes, some will say that after 600 miles, you have reached the end of the mfg's break in periord.
3. MFD #'s only (1st tank). I can forsee gettting 55 mpg or more during the current environmental conditions (summer). Is it fair to say that if I drove my car in the same type of environmental conditions when it has 5000 miles, 10000 miles, and say 20000 miles on it, that I would see 10% better gas mileage overall? Can someone quantify their experiences. I am trying to get a handle on car break in. This has been discussed many times, I was looking for actual experiences with MPG.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to learning so that I can answer new owner's questions in the future.

I know I need to either create a profile, or update it, including uploading my data for mpg, etc.

Thanks,

Chris

 

Thank you for the replies. I used to be one of those 80-90 mph freeway drivers, one that would dart in and out of lanes to save myself 14 feet at the next light (quickly and dangerously passed another vehicle).

Now, I enjoy the ride, I don't worry about speeding tickets, I am sure my blood pressure is below 200/120 when I drive in traffic, I save gas, $, and overall on emissions, and can't wait to go somewhere to drive my car. I thought people that talked to things were crazy until I started talking using voice commands.

Maybe I need more hobbies, becuase I can't wait until next summer after my car is broken in and my technique improves. How strange is this: I don't look forward to driving on the highway as it will bring down my MPG?

Thanks again,

Chris