Toyota Prius: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

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#21 of 711 Re: An Invitation to all owners of the new PRIUS [well_informed #20] by tempusvn Jun 18, 2004 (8:27 am)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 6:28 am) Well, your post belies your name, since no Prius has a Manual Transmission, hehe. But for the record, I just passed 5K miles in my '04. It's my everyday every-errand car, as well as every day commuting in Washington DC. I live downtown, and my mileage is probably 1/3 'city' and 2/3 'highway'. My current lifetime MPG is 52.5, but my last 5 tanks have all been between 57 and 62 MPG. Since it's so young and the breakin tanks were lower (Lowest tank ever was 46 MPG), I have fairly high hopes for it in the long run. It's only getting better as it matures Replies to this message: linda1 (Aug 19, 2004 8:13 pm) stevedebi (Aug 20, 2004 9:03 am) linda1 (Aug 24, 2004 9:54 pm) and 4 more...
#22 of 711 Re: Hybrid MPGs [well_informed #19] by tempusvn Jun 18, 2004 (8:29 am)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 6:23 am) Well Informed? Um, the EPA Combined rating for the Prius is 55 MPG. The 60 you quote is the 'City' Rating.
#24 of 711 by well_informed Jun 18, 2004 (9:09 am)
"But for the record, I just passed 5K miles in my '04. My current lifetime MPG is 52.5, " That makes sense, and it is quite good. That is th efigure that people should use for accurate MPG stats. the fact that you live in a warm location, in the DC area, helps. Still, it is well below the 60 city and the 55 highway EPA estimates. If EPA was acurate, and given your mix, you should have 58.3 mpg. maybe you would do better if TOypta offered a manual transmission, like Honda does (hence my freudian slip.. not dueto misinformation) I have fairly high hopes for it in the long run. It's only getting better as it matures That is true for all cars, both their performance and the MPG improves a little after a year or so. See Car and Driver long term tests. Replies to this message: tempusvn (Jun 18, 2004 9:18 am) well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 9:43 am) usbseawolf2000 (Jun 19, 2004 1:14 pm)
#25 of 711 Re: [well_informed #24] by tempusvn Jun 18, 2004 (9:18 am)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 9:09 am) >the fact that you live in a warm location, in the DC area, helps. Still, it is well below the 60 city and the 55 highway EPA estimates. If EPA was acurate, and given your mix, you should have 58.3 mpg. The EPA City is 60, Highway is 51, Combined is 55. So by your math I should be getting 54. Since I've been exceeding that every tank for the last two months, shouldn't be a problem. As you say, it may be different in Winter, but, remember the EPA test are done in 'warm' conditions so thats the same for every car. >maybe you would do better if TOypta offered a manual transmission, like Honda does (hence my freudian slip.. not dueto misinformation) The Power Split Device (Prius doesn't really have a Transmission per-se) is the core of the whole HSD system. Given the way the Toyota system works, a Manual transmission really isn't possible, or desirable. Replies to this message: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 9:43 am) usbseawolf2000 (Jun 19, 2004 1:14 pm)
#26 of 711 Re: [tempusvn #25] by well_informed Jun 18, 2004 (9:43 am)
Replying to: tempusvn (Jun 18, 2004 9:18 am) While I was almost joking about the manual, and it is true that one can design an automatic that can be as fuel efficient as the manual on the highway, for example, usually that will mean that the car will have poorer acceleration and performance. A manual allows the driver to get good mpg and have performance when necessary by downshifting. I guess manu-matics that allow you to shift the auto manually can produce the same effect. I'm due to my dentist at 2 pm for a tooth cleaning, but I'll be driving to the DC area myself on monday, part of a 4-day business tip on the East Coast. My old Accord coupe 5-speed is rated 31 highway. but I routinely get 32-37 mpg. Even if i am the only person in the car, it still beats all alternatives, even rail and discount airfares, by a mile if you drive. Plus you do not have to be packed like a sardine, as on planes, but relax comfortably, put it on cruise at 75 mph, and hear some good book on tape or music. Replies to this message: usbseawolf2000 (Jun 19, 2004 1:14 pm)
#27 of 711 Re: An Invitation to all owners of the new PRIUS [well_informed #20] by eprupis Jun 19, 2004 (12:44 pm)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 6:28 am) I live in SC and have 4K miles on a 3 month-old Prius. With mixed city and hwy driving plus a 1000 high speed trip to Va I have a real life mpg of 51. The Prius is livelier than my '98 Catera and the smart key is awesome but navigation destination is too difficult to program and directions are not always the best. The GPS and accompanying map have proved useful on occasion. eprupis
#28 of 711 Re: Hybrid MPGs [well_informed #19] by usbseawolf2000 Jun 19, 2004 (1:01 pm)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 6:23 am) "Instantaneous MPG's are almost meaningless." 85.7 MPG is the average from driving 967 miles, obviously not instantaneous. The person who achieved it drove at suburban speed. This is not how most people drive but the result speaks for itself what the car is capable of achieving. Dennis
#29 of 711 Re: [well_informed #26] by usbseawolf2000 Jun 19, 2004 (1:14 pm)
Replying to: well_informed (Jun 18, 2004 9:43 am) "A manual allows the driver to get good mpg and have performance when necessary by downshifting. If you have to downshift and wait for power delivery, is it still considered performance? Why even have a transmission? Go back and ask yourself the question why a transmission was even invented? Wasn't it to overcome the engine's inability to delivery "suitable" power to the wheel in most driving situations? HSD powertrain in Prius can contiously vary power output in a great range that it does not need complex traditional multi-gear shift(disturb) transmission. The result with HSD is shiftless undisturbed power delivery to the wheel at all time. I will not repeat the explanation again and again because some readers get annoyed. I am going to have to forward you to usbseawolf2000 "Honda Accord Hybrid vs. Toyota Camry Hybrid" Apr 17, 2004 6:08pm. It has a full explanation of the design difference between Honda IMA and Toyota HSD as well as transmission or the lack of it. Dennis
#30 of 711 Thanks for the honest comments (not ready for a hybrid) by tedinaz Jun 25, 2004 (2:04 pm)
Terribly sick of my 2003 Camry XLE V6 (very jerky auto tranny, way under powered, illegible clock, odo, fancy mpg data, etc) I was about to trade for a Prius. any comments on Mazda Tribute? Replies to this message: gagrice (Jun 25, 2004 5:55 pm)