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Toyota Prius MPG-Real World Numbers

982 messages,  Last post on May 17, 2013 at 10:15 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan

Messages Page 93 of 99

#921 of 982 Re: MPG [prius2007] by bdubya2008

Aug 29, 2011 (7:06 pm)

Replying to: prius2007 (Aug 27, 2011 6:16 pm)
My wife's commute is 15 to 20 minutes one way. I think that may be the biggest factor. I've read that it takes nearly that long to 'charge' the battery system so that it may take over more often and save gas. Does that sound correct?

#922 of 982 Re: MPG [bdubya2008] by bobw3

Aug 30, 2011 (4:13 am)

Replying to: bdubya2008 (Aug 29, 2011 7:06 pm)
No, the battery system will be charged pretty quick. The main factor is the type of driving on the 15-20 minute commute (speeds, highway, city, style of driving, etc).

#923 of 982 Re: MPG [bdubya2008] by prius2007

Aug 30, 2011 (5:28 am)

Replying to: bdubya2008 (Aug 29, 2011 7:06 pm)
You're on the right track. 15 - 20 minute drive is fairly short and your first 5 minutes will drag your average down. Typically your first 5 minutes is ~25MPG (unless you prewarm your car with an EBH). The battery should not be a factor. I typically end up with a low battery at the end of the day but able to charge it back up in the first 5 minutes. I figure this is a good method as the car is warming up that the battery charges at the same time.

#924 of 982 Re: NEED HELP! [bdubya2008] by killianag

Sep 07, 2011 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: bdubya2008 (Aug 25, 2011 7:40 pm)
What I did for my 2008 Prius with 100,000 miles:
   1. Increased tire pressure to 42 PSI in 51 PSI tires
   2. Use the recommended octane
   3. Use a top tier gas (see http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html)
   4. Use full synthetic oil
   5. Use a K&N air filter (lightly oil it)
These are in order of least to most improvement. Items 1-4 were made this year.
 
Best results thus far with all 5 changes:
   • 57 MPG driving 55 MPH
   • 56 MPG driving 65 MPH
   • 55 MPG at fill-up with a mix of city and highway driving
 
I use cruise control for most of my highway driving. I have no results for any speeds over 65 MPH.
 
The basics of my city driving:
   • Normal acceleration from a dead stop to get to the speed limit.
       I do not baby it, but I do not hot rod it either.
   • Use the Consumption monitor to know when to ease up on the gas pedal.
       I want to get the best MPG and maintain speed.
       This applies when NOT driving up a hill.
       MPG is pretty much out of your control when going up a hill.
The purpose of using the Consumption monitor is to cause the ICE to stop running and the electric motor to take over, or to at least enable the ICE to get the best mileage possible.
 
A word on tire pressure... I believe low rolling resistance (LRR) tires are the better option. Consider LRR tires when you need to replace your tires. You should do some research to find good tires. I found where some tires marketed as LRR actually hurt the fuel economy (http://www.inautonews.com/test-best-low-rolling-resistance-lrr-tires).

#926 of 982 Best mpg by jayrider

Sep 10, 2011 (7:55 am)

Always travel with a tail wind and avoid going up hills.

#927 of 982 Re: Best mpg [jayrider] by killianag

Sep 10, 2011 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: jayrider (Sep 10, 2011 7:55 am)
Plan your trips according to wind direction.
 
Only choose routes that are downhill.
 
Drive towards the equator to reduce the pull of gravity.
 
Follow sarcastic people to take advantage of the vacuum they create.

#928 of 982 Re: NEED HELP! [killianag] by killianag

Sep 10, 2011 (9:03 pm)

Replying to: killianag (Sep 07, 2011 8:43 pm)
Failed to add this
 
• 71 MPG city

#929 of 982 mpg in 2011 model by hansjh

Oct 30, 2011 (10:31 am)

I have driven about 6300 miles sofar and kept stats.
1. According to Toyota, (i keep one trip meter without ever clearing it) I am averaging 53.1 mpg.
2. I reality i have driven 6301 miles and used 124.249 g. That is 50.71 mpg.
3. Using the Toyota stats, i should have used 118.663 g. Difference of 5.6 g. Who is right? Either the gas stations are ripping me off or Toyota is measuring fairly inaccurately!
 
Another note: The dashboard indicators show an indicator gauge from 0 to 100 labeled mpg. Are they kidding? Do they know what mpg means? 100mpg is easy to do on that dial but how do they know it is not 1000? Would be nice to have meaningful labels!
 
Still i love this car.

#930 of 982 Re: mpg in 2011 model [hansjh] by dmathews3

Oct 30, 2011 (5:57 pm)

Replying to: hansjh (Oct 30, 2011 10:31 am)
I think it is all about when the pump or you shut it off. On my car I can get another gal. of gas in before it is full even though I don't do this as they say it can cause troubles.

Messages Page 93 of 99

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