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snow tires vs mpg

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by bass laker, Mar 5, 2012.

  1. bass laker

    bass laker New Member

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    2011 Prius
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    III
    I have a 2011 Prius, and have gone thru my first winter. Last Nov. when I put on my snow tires, I noticed my gas mileage went from 51+ to around 45. I read on here that that was normal because of getting the engine heated, the enterior heater, winter gas formula, etc. I just switched from my 4 Nokia winter tires back to my original tires, and the mileage immediately jumped back to 50+. It is still relatively cold here ( northern MN. -8 this morning). Can winter tires alone cause that much of a difference? Maybe the "knobby" winter tires with soft rubber just don't roll that easily? Anyone else notice this?
     
    #1 bass laker, Mar 5, 2012
  2. brewcrew9

    brewcrew9 Member

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    While I am sure you lost some to the winter tires, you probably lost as much to the winter alone.

    We live in Madison , WI and both of our 2011 Prius cars went from 51 summer average to 45-47 winter average. It's funny because when it was really cold we just got 45MPG, however the last weeks that mainly stayed in the 30's we have been averaging 47 to 47.5 MPG. Oh, we also kept our factory tires on all winter. Hope this helps.
     
    #2 brewcrew9, Mar 5, 2012
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Snow tires can easily cause that much of a drop.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Mar 5, 2012
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Plus gas is reformulated in winter (to prevent freezing?), and this reportedly drops mileage.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Mar 5, 2012
  5. tv4fish

    tv4fish Member

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    Location:
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    You REALLY think Winter is over up here :) -- j/k.
    March IS our "snowiest" month, ya' know :smow:
     
    #5 tv4fish, Mar 5, 2012
    CalgarypriusV likes this.
  6. bass laker

    bass laker New Member

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    northern mn
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    2011 Prius
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    III
    I suppose you're wondering why I took the winter tires off so early with a very snowy month still to come. The reason is I'm very close to trading the Prius I have for a Prius V. I have a cabin I go to a lot during the summer, and I could use the extra room in the "v" for hauling. I'm worried about the "v" dropping into the 30's during the winter, when I'm so use to getting in the 40's and 50's.
     
    #6 bass laker, Mar 5, 2012
  7. CalgaryPriusv

    CalgaryPriusv Junior Member

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    Location:
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    2012 Prius v wagon
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    N/A
    Up here in Alberta I've been getting what I calculate to be about 42.6 miles per gallon with snow tires on my new v. My daily drive is a combination of city and highway driving. I expect that when temperatures get back above freezing and I put my low friction tires on, the mileage will increase considerably.
     
    #7 CalgaryPriusv, Mar 6, 2012
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