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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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Courtney makes good sense.. drive slower, don't accelerate fast - in fact, work on accelerating slowly, and coast whenever you can. Oh, don't pass anyone, and go slower than the posted speed limit. These are all fine points for maximizing gas mileage.. these will be practical for some, not for others. While I am not getting over 50mpg, I'm right at it, like 49.2mpg.. and I drive faster than the speed limit, I do pass slower drivers, I do try to coast when I come to a stop, provided there are not people behind me.. which there usually are - I drive in CA!.. but I do believe given the 'tips' (common sense) stated, I could get batter gas mileage….suppose I don't care to do so at this time. sc |
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I have had my 2006 Prius for 27 months. I have become a safe "hypermiler," definitely driving too slowly, at times. I coast, as often as possible, and also limit my trips, locally. During this summer, I have been able to successfully improve my mileage on successive tanks. Two tanks ago, I was excited to do 450 miles at 54.9 MPG. Last tank was 490 miles at 57.4 MPG. I have just completed a round trip to Brooklyn, NY (from CT), with only one complete stop (3 hour break). Both directions were almost identical in mileage (61 MPG). I generally drove the speed limit or 2 - 3 MPH BELOW (posted speed limit varies between 50 and 55 MPH, but I never would drive below 50). I confirm my mileage on every tank and the monitor mileage is approximately 2% accurate, at all times. (and the error (if you can call it that) is as likely to be inflating my results as deflating). Since I only got into driving this way in the past year, I wondered how northeasterners (or similar cold locales) do in the winter. I previously would have quoted my summer mileage at 50 MPG and my winter mileage around 42 MPG. Now, I am wondering how I will do, this winter, with more aggressive efficient driving.
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Here's a FACT I hope you all consider., There has been a lot written about fuel tank issues, and only being able to put in 8-9-10 gallons in the 12 gallon tank. The gas pump shuts off early, before the tank is full. If you have paid attention when filling, you know it happens. You drive until the last bar is lit, and can only get 8 gallons in the tank whe you fill up.. meaning 4 gallons were left in the tank on the last bar.. does not make sense, right? While the above posts are showing how to make a gallon of gas go farther, at least consider this... You start with a full tank of gas, and you want to figure you gas mileage. You drive 450 miles and fill up again.. you put in 8 gallons. Simple math, 450/8 = 56.25 mpg. The assumption here is that you FILLED the tank. But what if the pump shut off early? What if the tank could have taken 10 gallons, you mileage would have been 45 mpg. Quite a difference. If you have been reading these posts, when my car was new (2008), I did the above calculations every tank. I'd drive my car until the last bar was showing on the gas gauge, fill up, put in 8-9 gallons, and I drive on an average 450 miles, getting a calculated 50mpg in average. This also TOLD ME, I had 2-3 gallons in the tank when I hit the last bar. Wow, I can drive 150 miles when I hit the last bar before I really 'run out of gas'. This, of course, was an error - but I thought this for months. Recently I filled my car, and the pump did not shut off.. the gas actually overflowed out the gas fill hole (whatever you call it!). I drove, and drove, and drove on that tank of gas.. getting 615 miles before I got worried and filled up with gas again. Now imagine the mileage I would have gotten had I filled up the next time and only put in 9 gallons of gas because the pump shut off early.. WOW, 68mpg!! but the pump shut off early, not filling the tank with the full 12 gallons. So, just be aware of this. The Tips in the posts above will help you get better mileage for sure, just makes sense. But when you will your tank, be aware of this post and ask yourself, are you really filling the tank to 'full' when you calculate the gas mileage? sc |
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Replying to: thehowie (Aug 18, 2008 6:41 am) 50-ish mpg up to the GWB. 55-ish mpg in 'normal' traffic across GWB 60-ish crawling down the FDR 35-40 mpg zig-zagging across Manhattan!!! 70 mpg running down Bway/7th Ave and out through the Holland Tunnel at 20-25 mpg |
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Replying to: scottc3 (Aug 18, 2008 8:04 am) Watch out for overfilling though. There are two risks...serious risks, Check PriusChat.com for a more detailed explanation.
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Replying to: scottc3 (Aug 18, 2008 8:04 am) It's a well known fact that calculated individual MPG numbers can be misleading. I was always "skeptical" of posts of calculated individual tank MPGs and want to know what the previous and next tank calculated tank MPG is. This would be the case for any car, but more so for the Prius due to the fuel bladder. There is a simple way to get around it: the MFD MPG is accurate on a tank by tank basis. These are the numbers quoted in my posts. Now I know how much you doubt anything >50 MPG as indicated in a number of your posts. Those of us who track both calculated and MFD MPG have proven that the MFD MPG > than the long term calculated MPG by ~2%. As an example since Apr'07 to now my calculated total MPG is 57.6 vs. the weighted average of the MFD MPG of 58.6. The MFD MPG is > than the calculated MPG by 1.8%. I would say that is not material. However on a tank by tank basis you can have much larger differences for the reason you correctly stated. I think for some reason you're motivated to disprove anyone quoting MPG numbers > 50 as evidenced by many of your posts. You even went as far as doubting pictures of MFD MPG saying it doesn't show the first 5 minute bar ... and the first 5 minutes is always low. When I've a chance I'll post my pictures of >60 MPG tanks and pictures of some of my typical commutes (and just 4 u include the first 5 minutes). If you don't want to learn or apply how to maximize the potential of the Prius you don't need to discredit those who do and please don't turn off others from trying by saying no one consistently can and achieves >50 MPG. Gabe |
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Wow, is this fun or what? Yes, I doubt the 'normal' driver will consistently get over 50mpg. I do believe it can be done if you drive on a flat road, no going up-hill.. not passing anyone, and going the speed limit. I have seen numbers on my car that show this (>50mpg).. but let's be honest, most of us don't drive on flat roads all the time, most of us do not drive at 50mph on the freeway, and there are external factors that prevent most of us from getting >50mpg. I would like to see the 1st 5 minutes shown.. I have been told this is when the cat-converter heats up and the motor runs most of the time. Now, you may be able to shut the car off - after being run, then turn it right back on again and see a 1st 5 min graph in the 50 area.. but I know you would not do that. Honestly, I'm not out to prove anyone's numbers wrong, we all have the same car.. but road conditions vary, as to terrain we drive on / in, as do driving speeds.. so you being able to get >50mpg is great news.. bet I could too if I drove where you were. I would need to coast when you do, basically 'follow you' and I would get the same mileage. Oh, I don't think comments of 50mpg (I get 49.2 'normally') turns off anyone from getting a Prius.. this should encourage them. I do think if a new buyer reads some posts, and thinks they will get >55mpg, they will be disappointed.. and if they think they will get >60pmg.. we are misleading them. In the next 100 buyers, perhaps 1 will see 60mpg.. most will see close to 50mpg however. I hope this has cleared up any Prius Smashing that you may have felt. Scott
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I own a new 2008 Prius and I am getting 47.6 MPG after about 3 thousand miles. We do not baby the car and my wife runs AC all the time. I have been told the MPG will increase after 5000 miles. Have saved about 300 dollars in gasoline in 3 months. 
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Hey.. way to go.. I also monitor my savings.. had a Honda Van and an older (1990) BMW. I was spending $400/month.. now about $150 - and I drive a fair amount. My 2008 Prius is 8 months old, have 11,500 miles on it. I average about 49mpg.. and love it. If you have read these posts, you know others are getting >60mpg, but don't plan on this. I think you always see around 48mpg if you don't change your driving habits - like turning off the AC and really 'baby-ing it' - then you may see 50mpg, but not sure it's worth it - of course, up to you. Welcome to the Prius world.. sc |
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Replying to: rolin (Apr 27, 2008 3:48 am) |
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