Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Toyota Prius MPG-Real World Numbers
768 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 6:12 AM
You are in the Toyota Prius Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer
|
Replying to: vanderhorstg (Aug 06, 2009 9:04 am) |
|
|
|
|
As my 2010 Prius2 nears 3000 miles, my calculated FE is 58MPG combined. The fuel consumption gauge continues to read higher than the calculated mpg,i.e. gauge shows 62MPG for 300 miles,59MPG calculated. I still find the improved highway FE to be the major improvement with the 2010 prius, where I used to limit my interstate cruising speeds to 60MPH, I now travel at 65MPH for most of the trip. The EV mode switch is a step in the right direction but needs much improvement-of course that won't happen until better batteries are developed. I like to use the EV mode in parking lots but find that most of the time it won't function in that mode for 2 or 3 minutes after the engine is started, so I wind up using it when entering, but not exiting the lot. My car won't operate in the EV mode at more than 25MPH so it is of very limited use for street driving. Driving at 25MPH or less when other traffic is present is a no-brainer.
|
|
|
Replying to: cheryl06prius (Aug 13, 2009 9:59 am) 45 MPH is the maximum electric-only speed for STEALTH mode. Since it's automatic (no button) and the engine is stopped (zero RPM) just like with EV, that really doesn't matter. The real benefit of EV mode is telling the engine to shut off sooner, which was a big deal with the prior generation but not as much any more. |
|
|
|
|
I found that I needed to alter my driving habits to maintain 50 MPG. In driving around town under 45 MPH, no problem maintaining 50 MPG, but there is quite a lag when accelerating after turning a corner, and even modest hills bog the Prius down if you try to keep the hybrid system indicator out of the power/red zone. Highway driving is harder to maintain 50 MPG. Using a short steep uphill on-ramp and trying to get to highway speed quickly to merge into heavy traffic, is doable, but the MPG takes an immediate hit. Long steep inclines and anytime highway speed acceleration is needed while not on a decline, also hit the MPG. Anytime I can maintain the same speed in city or highway, even on modest inclines, I get great mileage. But as soon as I have to slow drastically, because someone cuts in front or just heavy traffic, accelerating back up to cruising speed really eats into the MPG. I'm still on my first tank of gas. Hopefully as the Prius gets broken in, and I get better at adapting to driving a Prius, my mileage will improve and it will be easier to achieve 50 MPG or better! |
|
|
Cheryl, John and Prius2007 thanks for responding to my prior post. Do you three or anyone else here know the answers to the following : I cant achieve the 52 MPG EPA figures. I am get most the time MPG figures in the 40s. I am following the rules of fuel efficient drivng but that's just not working. Maybe there is a rule I dont know? Brake slowly, accelerate slowly, keep speed at constant levels, use "B" going downhills, tires are a bit overinflated...and still I am just not getting it.  Anyways I know I am doing something wrong or maybe I am doing everything right but Toronto traffic disallows me from reaching my potential? Does anybody maximize their mileage by driving on EV mode? In my particular case with my 2010 Prius the fast battery discharge on EV mode negatively affects my mileage to the point where I find Eco mode as being the only mode that maximizes my mileage.
|
|
|
Replying to: dewey (Aug 18, 2009 6:22 am) |
|
|
Replying to: dewey (Aug 18, 2009 6:22 am) That harms MPG. By engaging engine-braking, you are taking away from the regenerating opportunities. Basically, the only time you should ever use it is when driving down a mountain and you prevent the brakes from overheating. >>accelerate slowly That can be counter-productive. If you aren't allowing the Eco-Meter to rise into the RED zone, you are probably causing lower MPG when accelerating. Seeing the power rise to that level isn't bad for efficiency. The point of the meter is to allow you to KEEP IT BRIEF. .
|
|
|
Replying to: john1701a (Aug 18, 2009 10:02 pm) That harms MPG. By engaging engine-braking, you are taking away from the regenerating opportunities. Basically, the only time you should ever use it is when driving down a mountain and you prevent the brakes from overheating. Not exactly how it harms MPG unless you want to gain speed so that you can go further once you start uphill before you need to apply the throttle. I never used it but after reading comments over on PC I tried it. It appears that in "B" mode you do get regeneration (I don't think my TCH reacted like that). You also get regeneration from the cruise control which does a real good job of holding speed down steep grades, unlike my TCH which would cause me to use my brakes to stay reasonably close to the speed limit. |
|
|
Thanks for the responses. I will definitely start driving the car more normally. I hardly ever hit the PWR red zone on my eco-meter and that can explain why. THe "B" mode seems to work for me as long as there is no uphill after a downhill otherwise using "B mode" slows down the car to the point where I have to re-accelerate in order to climb another slope. |
|
|
I bought my 08 Prius in Dec of 07 - love it. I monitored the gas mileage daily for about 6 months- and I was saving lots of money on gas - as I should, over my old car, which got 20 mpg. I read this forum daily to see what others were getting.. some claimed 60mpg (+/-).. others said they could only get 40 mpg. The guys claiming 60 were traveling 50mph on the freeway, going downhill, coasting up to every red stop light - even if they caused a traffic jam behind them.. accelerating so slowly people would pass honking the horn.. look, we all have the same car. We are all going to get about the same mileage - given the same driving conditions. My sister got a Prius the same time I did - she's in Torrance - up and down hills all day - she gets about 35-40.. and so would anyone else driving on the same roads she does. Don't worry about trying to meet or beat other 'claims'.. you have a great car.. enjoy it. sc |
|
You are here:
Forums
Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius Toyota Prius MPG-Real World Numbers
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Toyota Prius
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
