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Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Toyota Prius MPG-Real World Numbers
767 messages, Last post on Sep 28, 2009 at 9:21 AM
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Replying to: scottc3 (Aug 13, 2008 12:01 pm) I'll persist more this time. Thanks!
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Replying to: scottc3 (Aug 13, 2008 12:01 pm) I regularly drive 75-90 but have taken that down to 70 in an attempt to get good mileage (heck, I'll take the epa estimates at this point) like I see in various forums. I now have to keep over to the slow lanes as I'm getting passed by even those idiotic Smart cars. Maybe there's a bunch of extra smog crap our illustrious socialist government in Sacramento has forced upon the cars in this state that is ruining the mileage? Oh well, I have already put my deposit down on an Aptera. If that actually gets delivered to me early next year, it's sayonara Prius and good riddance! I'm not green by any means, this is purely an economic decision. I'm just trying to save money for jet-a fuel! www.aptera.com
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Replying to: jimrey28 (Aug 13, 2008 1:33 pm) You are driving in "D" ... correct? ... and not "B" ... which is for braking while going down steep hills. Using "B" will kill your mileage.
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Replying to: Gutsy (Aug 14, 2008 4:07 am) Always in "D" yes. I live in Chicago and it's as flat as a pancake! But thanks for the question since I have been known to do other things backwards! Jim
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Replying to: jimrey28 (Aug 14, 2008 7:27 am) Darn ... thought I found the reason!  You may want to consider posting your mileage issue on Prius Chat http://priuschat.com/forums/ (Select the Fuel Economy forum). They have extremely knowledgable members there who can help you pinpoint the problem so that you can achieve the mileage you deserve. In my case, I'm consistantly getting in the mid 50's no matter where I drive. Good luck!!!
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Replying to: Gutsy (Aug 14, 2008 8:53 am) Jim |
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Replying to: mfarmer1 (Aug 13, 2008 11:14 am) If we lived close I'm sure if we switched vehicles for a week we'd find that yours got 48 mpg on average. I've driven well over 1000 different Prius' and there has been next to no variation in performance and fuel economy given the same driving characteristics. And I DON'T drive like a grandma. I punch it at every light and get right up to speed....then I let off the pedal and coast as long as I can without disturbing traffic. Then I punch it again. |
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Replying to: mfarmer1 (Aug 13, 2008 11:56 pm) It really begins to click in at 75+mph. Check the EPA website and other sources for this effect. 55 MPH on the Highway will get you into the mid-50s easily. 63 MPH will bet you around 50 mpg. 70 MPH will get you about 45 mpg. Then you have to factor in wind, rain, cargo, passengers, tires and terrain. Driving 80 MPH into a strong wind may lose you as much as 30% from a nominal 50 mpg rating. That's just life. Being under 40 mpg in such a case is very very likely. But then every other vehicle on the road is similarly affected. 20-24 mpg in a standard 4c Camry for instance instead of 30-32 mpg. |
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Because of our backward system of measuring fuel usage/'economy' we can't see the real effect of what happens when we drive less efficiently. The term 'fuel economy' is a gross misnomer created by the auto industry and perpetuated by the US Govt. You are not doing anything 'economical' by burning petro-fuel to get from one place to another, you're consuming. But that aside.... Using the more accurate metric of Gallons per Distance Driven ( Gal / 100 mi or Gal / 1000 mi ) the difference between various vehicles and driving conditions can be seen precisely. The case above where conditions cause two drivers to lose about 20% efficiency due to high highway speeds and a strong wind in front or from the side. A Prius might drop from a nominal 50 mpg to 40 mpg A Camry might drop from a nominal 33 mpg to 25 mpg The Prius takes it on the chin apparently. But viewed from a usage pov using a GPC metric ( Gal Per 100 mi driven) the story is entirely different... At 50 mpg nominal the Prius uses 2 GPC At 40 mpg actual the Prius uses 2.5 GPC At 33 mpg nominal the Camry uses 3 GPC At 25 mpg actual the Camry uses 4 GPC. To go the same 100 miles in bad conditions it cost the Prius an extra 1/2 gal. It cost the I4 Camry 1 full gallon. Another way of stating it is that in optimal conditions the Prius saves 1 gallon for every 100 mi driven over the Camry in the same conditions. In worse conditions the Prius saves 1.5 gallons for every 100 miles driven as compared to the Camry. 2.09 GPC after 33 months and 85000 miles. 
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Replying to: scottc3 (Aug 13, 2008 12:01 pm) To all the doubters and those who are interested in some simple non-technical advice and inspiration read this: I just read this post from Courtney that you may find inspiring and useful: link title Good luck and have patience, Gabe BTW: Cabot, "no babying or "pi??ing" of people involved. |
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