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Warm winter? Everyone: better MPG?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Jack 06, Feb 3, 2006.

  1. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    We've had little or no winter in N CA. It's been 64-66 the last few days, even with a shower here and there. Flowers blooming, grass growing, a month earlier than normal. I notice on the TV weather map relatively warm temps all over the US most of the time, except for one Arctic blast about two weeks ago (daytime high of -29F in Fairbanks).

    This should be translating to higher-than-usual MPG for most folks---though the first-time owners of '06s won't "know" that until there's a real cold snap.

    Just thought I'd check with owners for whom this is their second or more winter:
    enjoying better MPG?
     
    #1 Jack 06, Feb 3, 2006
  2. EricGo

    EricGo New Member

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    I was thinking it was my improved technique :rolleyes:
     
    #2 EricGo, Feb 3, 2006
  3. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    <bump>
     
    #3 Jack 06, Feb 4, 2006
  4. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    54.6mpg for the month of January is, by far the best January of the 3 I've had my Prius...it's higher than my lifetime MPG of 52.7.
     
    #4 efusco, Feb 4, 2006
  5. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    no one besides me think the flash had anything to do with it?
     
    #5 DaveinOlyWA, Feb 4, 2006
  6. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    That really is incredible, even for a warm winter.
     
    #6 Jack 06, Feb 4, 2006
  7. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Haven't had it done yet. Waiting for my 40k oil change.
     
    #7 efusco, Feb 4, 2006
  8. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    geez louise... how warm is it there?

    GO SEAHAWKS!
     
    #8 DaveinOlyWA, Feb 4, 2006
  9. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    Evan are you still using the umbilicle cord? aka block heater?
     
    #9 Frank Hudon, Feb 4, 2006
  10. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Yes, but I've apparently got a short in it so I don't know if it's working at work when I plug in there. At home I have a Kill-a-watt meter so I can tell if it's drawing or not. But for most of Jan. I've used it religiously.

    Avg. temp in this area was around 40 degrees for January.
     
    #10 efusco, Feb 4, 2006
  11. Jack 06

    Jack 06 New Member

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    Do you attribute your Jan MPG increase to the block heater?
     
    #11 Jack 06, Feb 4, 2006
  12. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    that would probably account for some of your mileage gains. I've used mine as well, for the whole winter and I managed to use only one tank for the whole month of January, my miles travelled are average so the slightly warmer January and BH are contributing to the bump. I'm still using the "lips" to block off the grill and on a 200 mile trip on friday the ICE was averaging 87-97C, 87 on the flats 97 on that nasty 11% grade for 3/4 of a mile "hill". OAT was about 7C at the start 3C out of town, snow was about 200 meters up the mountain sides. MG temps running at about 80C for the whole trip. First block dropped at 173 Kms. I love this car. Saw Norm and got a little hardware mod done on the CAN-View for the wifes car.
     
    #12 Frank Hudon, Feb 4, 2006
  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    In part, I think the OAT being so high is the major thing though.
     
    #13 efusco, Feb 5, 2006
  14. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i'm sorry, but... :lol: kill a watt... did it die of electrocution?

    :lol: i'm sorry, it's late, everything's funny.
     
    #14 galaxee, Feb 5, 2006
  15. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    http://search.ebay.com/Kill-A-Watt-Meter_W0QQftsZ0

    Look at that...then go to bed! ;)
     
    #15 efusco, Feb 5, 2006
  16. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    i thought it was a brand name... but no...

    :lol:

    sorry i'm not really trying to hijack this thread!

    edit: ok ok so it is a brand name. i'm still laughing at it. :D
     
    #16 galaxee, Feb 5, 2006
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's higher but I don't know if it's the temps or my driving technique. Last winter I was around 5.2-5.6L/100km. Now I'm at 4.9L/100km.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Feb 5, 2006
  18. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    that is a pretty cool item. i wish i would have had that when i had my electric scooter. would have loved to know what my cost per mile was on that thing.
     
    #18 DaveinOlyWA, Feb 5, 2006
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