First Tank mileage reporting ...

not bad for your first tank! I remember getting about 400 miles on my first one, and it felt so good - compare that to my old car, which would only go 270 per tank (every time too, regardless of driving conditions).

Anyways, don't make the mistake many new owners make - fill up! when the last pip starts blinking, you probably have less than a gallon of gas (maybe only enough for 10-15 miles...), so it's better to be safe than sitting on the side of the road!

 

Just finished first week with my 2007 black pkg#5 Prius. Here's what the computer told me for mileage:

Day 1, ~ 20 miles, 40.4 avg mpg
Day 2, ~ 80 miles, 47.5 avg mpg
Day 3, ~ 100 miles, 49.8 avg mpg
Day 4, ~ 100 miles, 52.9 avg mpg
Day 5, ~ 100 miles, 53.1 avg mpg
Day 6, ~ 100 miles, 52.6 avg mpg
Day 7, ~ 100 miles, 48.3 avg mpg (first full day on new tank of gas, hmmm.)

Days 3-7 are pretty much identical driving - my normal commute, mostly highway with some secondary road and very little stop and go. Temperature's been between 45 and 60F.

Anyone think it's possible that the extra weight (~ 70 lbs.) of a full tank of gas could actually lead to a noticeable reduction in mileage?

Great car. I'm very happy with it so far.

 

New 07 Touring, first fillup at about 450 miles, computer said the average was 47, calculated was 46.

I dirve back roads and some highway commuting. Doing 65 mph certainly boosts the milage vs 70. Makes me wonder when I see a Prius blowing by me like I am standing still why they bought a Prius......

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(danatt @ Nov 11 2006, 09:42 AM) [snapback]347441[/snapback]</div>

For some odd reason, I find that my 06 will be more likely to register my first day (130 miles) on a new tank at the highest mpg for the tank. After day 1 on a new tank, I'll be in the 55mpg range on the mfd. The next day, somewhere close still, but down...

By the end of the tank, 52 or 53... seems to trail off as I get to the bottom. This is noticed over about 40 tanks as a trend. I've often thought the same logic as you mention... extra weight, as I lighten the load, it should get better by a hair.

When I put 2 or 3 extra people in the car, it rides heavier and the mpg goes down as expected.

 

the full tank theory is interesting, but i have seen the opposite. i started my current tank at 56 mpg and have slowly declined to now 53.5 mpg. the weather has turned to heavy rain, so that is part of it, but at the same time, the weather has been this way for nearly all of the tank.

i do think that the extra weight does play a factor. i notice that with my SO in the car. she is twice the weight of a tank of gas.

 

50.0 mpg on my first tank in the 2007 touring - very pleased with that
Filled up early, so 380 miles. Second tank was 50.5 - creeping up....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveinOlyWA @ Nov 14 2006, 08:09 AM) [snapback]348717[/snapback]</div>

Just curious. I know Seattle got snow yesterday. Did Olympia?

Cheney has snow on the ground and the current temperature at 4:48 pm is 12 F. The expected low tonight is 0 F.

My mileage has dropped to below 45 mpg. The only reason it hasn't dropped much lower than that is that I already have 200 miles on this tank. I haven't blocked the radiator yet, but will tonight if I get the time.

Dave M.

 

we got about a ½ inch. got an average of 3-6" north of us and 5-6" just to the south of us, so we missed it all. still enough to make everything an icy mess like everywhere else. ... temps will be in the 20's tonight. drove around all day today, did about 90% of my christmas shopping today. temps ranged from 30-34º

one thing about this kind of weather. saw a dozen accidents today. with the exception of one car and a van, every single vehicle was a 4 wheel drive. i did some testing of the skid and traction control on the Prius and i must say, i am very impressed