Much bigger drop in MPG than expected

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The reduction in fuel economy could very well be weather related. As spring gets closer and temps rise, your fuel economy should go up accordingly. In addition, you'll need a couple more fillups to average it out. Also, check you tire pressure.

 

If you live in a wintery state ,,, grill block ... Tire pressure 42/40 front/ rear

 

and the two tanks combined equal about 48 mpg which is a more accurate reflection.

 

Just wanted to provide an example of how Winter temperatures and driving conditions have affected my fuel mileage. I bought my Prius C last July and averaged between 60 and 65 mpg during the Summer. In September I began tracking my daily fuel mileage (see attached chart) which consists mostly of a ten mile trip to and from work. The trip is 5.5 miles of suburban driving and 4.5 miles on the Merit Parkway, which I drive at about 50 mph. It takes about 24 minutes each way. As we all know, temperatures in Connecticut this Winter have been well below normal. During September, I averaged about 64.5 mpg (as shown on the MFD) on the drive to/from work. During January, it dropped to 48.5 mpg, and in February, it was 49.9 mpg. As cold as it may be, I only use the heater when the engine is running full time on the Parkway. I think a conventional gasoline-powered car would have gotten less than half the mileage of the Prius C under these conditions. By the way, I'm running on the OEM tires and have been operating frequently on snow covered roads without any problem.

 

Do you keep your car clean? I've heard if you wash and wax it regularly it will glide through the air easier and improve your mpg's

 

Nah, mythbusters did an episode where they added mud to a car in a dimple pattern and got better gas mileage from it. Anybody with hail damage concur?

 

You did pretty good for 10 miles commute. My commute is 14.4 miles over Tapan Zee. My car don't warm up until about half way. I got only 25mpg for first half. The other half trip bring my average up to 47mpg, but only if traffic on I87. Last 2 days really cold and less traffic. I barely make 42 mpg. I was crawling in my company parking lot in EV mode to make that number. lol. If my trip is 10 miles like yours, I can't see my C will be over 40mpg.