Getting the Most Out of the Toyota Prius: Driving Tips

113 messages, Last post on Sep 23, 2009 at 7:16 AM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Hatchback

Do you have a technique for getting the most out of your Prius? Share it here!

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#64 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [gardener3] by pathstar1 Jul 21, 2007 (1:55 pm)
Replying to: gardener3 (Jul 21, 2007 10:11 am) I believe the Prius uses the fuel injector open times to measure fuel flow. Your mileage is not abnormally low. Try a little more pressure in your tires. I'm getting 48 MPG US, but I don't use the A/C much. I run 40 PSI front and 38 PSI rear. The mileage is supposed to improve when the car is "broken in" as well. That can take 10,000 mi or so. Mine is still new as well (not a Touring). Finally, the Touring tires are supposed to drop the mileage a bit, perhaps 5-10%, but are better in wet etc.
#65 of 113 Long term hybrid owners by pf_flyer HOST Aug 21, 2007 (4:09 am)
If you are a long-term hybrid owner, our Senior Editor, John O'Dell, would love to hear from you! A short email with your maintenance experiences and concerns would be great. Please send to John at jodelledmunds.com by close of business Wednesday, August 22, 2007. Be sure and include your Forums username. Replies to this message: stevegold (Aug 21, 2007 5:29 am)
#66 of 113 Re: Long term hybrid owners [pf_flyer] by stevegold Aug 21, 2007 (5:29 am)
Replying to: pf_flyer (Aug 21, 2007 4:09 am) I have a 2004 Prius since 12/30/03. I myself change the oil and oil filter twice a year and the inside air filter once a year. I keep the tire pressure at 40/38 and bring the car to Toyota only for TSB's which are at no charge. The car is great. I get 45+ MPG. On two occasions I had a dead 12V battery, once early in 2004 and again two weeks ago. I must have left something on overnight. My only continuing problem occurs rarely when climbing a long, steep, straight mountain pass, I run out of electric boost after 5 minutes 80 MPH. Short or curved passes are not a problem because I can't go that fast and the ICE is adequate. An electric turbo or a big battery with more capacity would solve that infrequent complaint.
#67 of 113 Just the kind of stuff he's after by pf_flyer HOST Aug 21, 2007 (12:43 pm)
Please send an email to John at jodelledmunds.com by close of business Wednesday, August 22, 2007. Be sure and include your Forums username. Your long term ownership experience is the kind of feedback he's after. Thanks!
#68 of 113 How long can car be idle w/o over draining hybrid battery? by nw_viking Dec 19, 2007 (11:41 pm)
I have a 2006 model with 22K miles. I'm going on a long vacation, so the car likely won't be used for about 26 days. Is this too long? Manual says one should drive the car for 10 miles or operate for at least 30 minutes once every "several" months. I know I've seen posts in the past on this question, but I don't recall the specifics. I do have a friend watching the house that can take the car for a drive if needed, but I don't want him to bother if not necessary. Any opinions or experiences??
#70 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [matt1021] by earthmom Dec 26, 2007 (1:46 pm)
Replying to: matt1021 (Jul 12, 2007 8:25 am) I started out averaging 42mpg on my 2007 Prius. When I complained, I was advised by the Toyota mechanic to use only brand name gas. I did this and it boasted my mpg to 48-49 for about a month, then it dropped to between 32 to 42mpg. I am getting no help from my Toyota dealer or mechanic. With this last fill, I was getting 36mph. I was getting that on my Corrolla!! I always fill at half a tank and never overfill, turn the gas tank cap 3 clicks. What else can I do to get better mph? Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Dec 28, 2007 12:50 pm) rpaley (Dec 28, 2007 4:33 pm) jana6 (Jan 08, 2008 9:04 pm) peakoil (Jan 27, 2008 8:59 pm)
#71 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [earthmom] by pathstar1 Dec 28, 2007 (12:50 pm)
Replying to: earthmom (Dec 26, 2007 1:46 pm) Well, I doubt that you got that mileage with your Corolla in the winter. You haven't posted where you live (city or area), but cold weather drops the mileage on all cars. We notice it more on Prius because we expect really good mileage, and we have a readout to tell us the good or bad news. I had a rental Suzuki last winter and it only got 19 MPG (this time of year)! It was smaller than a Corolla. 1. Make sure your tires are inflated properly. I use 40 PSI front and 38 PSI rear. Many use even more. This will noticeably improve mileage. It also improves braking and handling. Including in snow. 2. Use regular gas. Your mileage may decrease in winter 2-3 MPG due to the ethanol or other oxidizers they put in. 3. Cold weather is a mileage killer. We just have to live with that. Don't let the car sit idling to warm up. If you drive it warm-up will occur in just a few blocks. 4. Short trips are a mileage killer. This is especially noticeable with the Prius, as when cold it can't use its' designed in tricks to improve its' mileage. Try to combine trips. As long as the car doesn't cool off between trips mileage won't suffer. Replies to this message: rpaley (Dec 28, 2007 4:33 pm)
#72 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [pathstar1] by rpaley Dec 28, 2007 (4:33 pm)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Dec 28, 2007 12:50 pm) I am really surprised that so many words and so much concern are STILL being expressed regarding mileage. I have a 2004 with about 34,000 miles on it; I live in MD, just outside of the beltway around D.C.,I am not a particularly gentle driver, and here are my experiences: (first, remember that some or all areas of US must change gasolene reformulation for winter and summer conditions - this in turn changes the mpg measurably). I routinely keep the tires at 35 and 33, whatever is stated on the door jamb plate. Where and how I drive happens to fall into 2 distinct categories: o about 1/3 was at high speed on highways with speed limits of 55 & 65, where I drove about 9 mph over the speed limit, with the air conditioner on most of the time, and the windows closed; the car had 300 pounds of passengers and about the same in luggage; the time of year were generally NOT in the winter, but were in the other 3 seasons. - I routinely got between 49 & 51 mpg based on hand calculations. I was and continue to be very pleased. o about 2/3 of my driving was what many people wrote to be the worst conditions - short drives of 5 - 15 minutes(maybe up to 30 or 45 minutes, but rarely more), in traffic, stop lights, etc. - here I get around 43 [winter] and 46 [non-winter] mpg. All in all, I am very pleased. The only two complaints I have are: o it is frustrating filling up the gas tank fully - I find that once the auto pump stops the first time, it helps to rock the car back and forth a few times, then fill it up another 1/2 to 1 gal more; and o the car (I think it is the tires) is quite noisy at highway speeds, to the point of needing to turn up the radio/CD player quite high in order to hear them. When I get new tires I will look for quieter ones. Enjoy the car and don't sweat the gpm so much.
#73 of 113 Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius by rpaley Dec 28, 2007 (7:55 pm)
Hello all, hopefully someone can recommend replacement tires for this wonderful (2004) car. I have about 34-35K miles on the original "Integrity - 185/65 R15s. As I wrote above, I have not liked this tire. It is very noisy on highways, and at 35/33# of air pressure, it gives a pretty hard ride on local, bumpy streets. Yesterday I called up my Toyota dealer and was surprised to learn that they the Prius comes with either a 185/65 R15 OR a 195/65 R15 tire. Perhaps the 195/65 is what some have written as the "Touring" tire. Here are my questions: 1) can I put either sized tire on my same (original) rims? 2) does either size cause a noticeable change in mpg, or noise? 3) my research (Consumer Reports + various tire sites on the web)seems to indicate that the Yokohama AVID H4 and the Michilin Pilot EXALTO A/5 tires were the best overall (particularly in wet and dry traction, rolling resistance and noise Replies to this message: jsarceno (Jan 19, 2008 2:51 pm) pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 7:59 am) tiff_c (Jan 20, 2008 4:45 pm) jsarceno (Feb 02, 2008 6:30 pm) and 1 more...