1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

MPG is really good, but I want better...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by BEATLZ, Apr 29, 2013.

  1. BEATLZ

    BEATLZ New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2013
    3
    3
    1
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have been averaging close to or at 55mpg. I currently have "Low rolling resistance tires", K&N filter, and run full synthetic oil. What more can I do (cheaply) to get better mpg?
     
    CharliePrius likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,533
    48,842
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    throw all the provisions overboard to lighten the weight.:p welcome to priuschat, all the best!(y)
     
    danboy, BCP and CharliePrius like this.
  3. CharliePrius

    CharliePrius New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2013
    16
    12
    0
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I'm new to the Prius myself so i'm sure that others can offer more driving-style related suggestions, but i'm inclined to go with bisco ... if you're REALLY serious then cut some weight. Take out everything that doesn't have to be there.
    If your interest is a little more casual then turning your car into a rolling shell with just a driver's seat and a center console, i'd wait for someone else to pipe up. :)

    Best of luck on your mpg quest.
     
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,021
    10,004
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Go to CleanMPG.com and learn how to hypermile. Adjusting the nut behind the wheel will gain more than changing anything else.
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,795
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Go on a diet.
    Every pound you lose, is a pound The Prius doesn't have to move.

    Seriously, there is a point IMO of diminishing returns.

    You're welcome to embrace any number of additions, subtractions and driving philosophies into action.

    But personally? What I would do would be happy with a 55 mpg average.
     
  6. css28

    css28 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2012
    1,566
    442
    3
    Location:
    Suburban Detroit
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I'd put the stock air cleaner back in.
     
    dorunron likes this.
  7. Ardentity

    Ardentity Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2013
    15
    9
    0
    Location:
    CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yah, I haven't had much luck with K&N air filters... With the same driving habits, MPG has pretty much remained the same. Only (negative) noticeable difference is increase in engine noise.
     
  8. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,103
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    fuzzy1 revealed the secret to get the BEST MPG. "Learn to Hypermile". I can easily get 50+ just driving the Prius easily around town. But if I hypermile, the numbers definitely go higher.

    I am not a hypermile freak. In other words, I don't do it 100% of the time. However, I do it when it is practical, and advantageous.

    Also, for the OP if you have not pumped up your tires to max pressure yet give that a shot.

    FWIW, 55 is VERY good if that is your true average over several tank fulls. Good luck to you and welcome to Prius Chat.

    Ron
     
  9. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
    645
    179
    0
    Location:
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    I
    My wife drives mostly around town the same way she drove the Explorer and gets 45-47mpg. I can drive it mostly longer distances on the highway, never over 55 mph, use the cruise, let off the accelerator long before the need, feather the brake when slowing to get more charge in the battery and I will get 55 mpg. My teachie son sees it as a competition, never goes over 50 and mostly 40-45, rarely uses the brake, and routinely gets 60-62 and has gotten 67mpg over 30 miles in the country. Driving style makes the biggest difference in mpg after the basics are in line. LRR tires, clean carb, good 12V battery, and all mechanicals functioning properly.
     
  10. Agent J

    Agent J Hypoliterian

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2010
    294
    111
    0
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    congratulations on getting 55mpg early on. Some people move up fairly quickly climbing up the numbers, some people don't. I suggest reading through the Top 20 MPG record holders thread in the Gen III forum and you'll get lots of tips and links to hypermiling threads there. Or just search for hypermiling.

    Like what others suggested and in order of cost, i'd start with the free and easy modifications first. All it takes is time and commitment:

    1. raise tire pressures to 42/40 (that's what i use currently)
    2. more comfortable driving shoes (thin soled)
    3. learning how to read the MFD and understanding what exactly goes on in the HSD system.
    4. knowing the prius stages by heart.
    5. training your foot to be sensitive to pedal pressure and getting that muscle memory thing going.
    really important for gliding by feel, without looking at the MFD.
    6. learning and applying mild hypermiling techniques
    7. reduce unnecessary weight of car, driver, and passengers


    Improvements that involve some cash:
    8. grill block (in winter)
    9. proper maintenance (12v battery, oil, throttle body, plugs, alignment, brake adjustments)
    10. engine block heater (EBH) - a big help. I use it all year round
    11. LRR tires
    12. OBDII scanners like Torque / ScangaugeII (really helpful and a good investment)

    Other improvements that may help MPG a bit but will greatly improve road handling and feel.
    13. underchassis brace
    14. strut brace, under brace
    15. upgrade rear sway bar
    16. upgrade front sway bar
    17. lowering springs or coilovers

    Extreme aero mods to help MPG
    18. side mirror deletion
    19. wheel covers and fender covers
    20. kammback installation
    21. chassis smoothening

    best of luck on your quest! :)
     
    F8L likes this.
  11. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2012
    716
    95
    0
    Location:
    Grand Forks BC Canada
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Warming up the ICE is hard on good FE. Short trips are out. In other words short hops and continual warm ups hurt your FE. So plan the use of your Prius. H
     
  12. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  13. BEATLZ

    BEATLZ New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2013
    3
    3
    1
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Lots of helpful tips! Overall I am VERY pleased with how this car runs, and the MPG I have achieved so far. The money it has saved me already is staggering! I currently put around 160-175 miles per day with my work commute. I have been a life long Honda guy and I felt like a traitor to the "H" badge, but I think I have been fully converted now after only a few months. Thank you all again for the tips! I will continue to strive for better and better MPG, but I don't think I am going to get too extreme with it. After all averaging 55mpg in a car rated to get 48mpg it pretty darn good.(y)
     
    dorunron and F8L like this.
  14. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    1,686
    337
    0
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Your car is probably OK, but a low rolling resistance car like a Prius is sensitive to proper alignment. If you get a chance, it might be a good idea to have it checked. If, that is, you are the curious type.
     
  15. MK500

    MK500 Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    92
    41
    6
    Location:
    San Francisco, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Make the wife/husband get out and push at lights so you have a rolling start.
     
    BCP likes this.
  16. magnumrtawd

    magnumrtawd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    305
    71
    0
    Location:
    Toledo,Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    My 2010 has 75,000 miles with Firestone non lrr tires. 140$ vs 400$. Great traction and braking! I drive it normally and achieve avg 46 in the summer and 43 in the winter.:):):) I've tried all of the Mileage tips and find it better (for me) to just drive it and enjoy a great engineered and a pleasure to drive little car:)
     
  17. magnumrtawd

    magnumrtawd Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 2013
    305
    71
    0
    Location:
    Toledo,Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Oh, It also has to original 10 year old 12 volt batt.!
     
  18. Tekken

    Tekken Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2019
    250
    74
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, California
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Want better MPG, remove all the seats, take off the spare tire for light weight.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,533
    48,842
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    and the engine :whistle: