Ask the Car People.SM


Getting the Most Out of the Toyota Prius: Driving Tips - READ ONLY

113 messages,  Last post on Sep 23, 2009 at 8:16 AM

You are in the Hybrid Vehicles - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Lost? Ask the Hybrids Host for directions! discussion.

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!

Messages Page 8 of 12

#70 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [matt1021] by earthmom

Dec 26, 2007 (2:46 pm)

Replying to: matt1021 (Jul 12, 2007 9:25 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?

#71 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [earthmom] by pathstar1

Dec 28, 2007 (1:50 pm)

Replying to: earthmom (Dec 26, 2007 2:46 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.

#72 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [pathstar1] by rpaley

Dec 28, 2007 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Dec 28, 2007 1:50 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 (8:55 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

#74 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [earthmom] by jana6

Jan 08, 2008 (10:04 pm)

Replying to: earthmom (Dec 26, 2007 2:46 pm)
I've found that I have to drive totally different with my Prius to get the best gas mileage. I watch the Energy screen a lot! It is the best way to tell how to drive--the three second delay is a great feedback for all that. I had been told many years ago that, if I lifted up my foot just a smidgen off the gas peddle, the car would go the same speed but I'd use less gas. Now I finally understand that and it does work!
 
I do a lot of coasting to stops. I never have had a heavy brake foot and now I'm even lighter! I slow down way before the stop but not enough to get the drivers in back of me ticked off, if you know what I mean.
 
Also, now when I'm driving and I notice my speed is too far over the speed limit, I lift my foot totally off the gas peddle rather than just slightly--I love seeing the 99 mpg!
 
I do notice that, if I don't pay attention to my driving, I fall back into old habits (not coasting, etc.) and my gas mileage drops.
 
I was surprised to see but it is true, gas mileage does drop in the winter.
 
I hope this helps some....

#75 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [rpaley] by jsarceno

Jan 19, 2008 (3:51 pm)

Replying to: rpaley (Dec 28, 2007 8:55 pm)
I am also looking to replace my tires as i had a flat and had to buy whatever inferior tire was available. Costco has a sale on bf goodrich traction t/a T not H and Michelin hydroedge. my concern is about the gas mileage with these tires. did you buy tires yet? does anybody have advice? thank you.

#76 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [jsarceno] by pathstar1

Jan 20, 2008 (8:59 am)

Replying to: jsarceno (Jan 19, 2008 3:51 pm)
You don't say where you are or what kind of tires you want. I put on Nokian WR tires (true all season) and saw NO mileage hit. Big improvement in traction, dry, wet, and snow.

#77 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [pathstar1] by tiff_c

Jan 20, 2008 (5:45 pm)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 8:59 am)
You don't say where you are or what kind of tires you want. I put on Nokian WR tires (true all season) and saw NO mileage hit. Big improvement in traction, dry, wet, and snow.
 
I've been using Nokian tires for a long time now and just bought a brand new pair for my Civic. Great tires the WR-G2's are the newest of the WR's and they are great! The Prius will be our next car once it's gotten an update and I'd put the Nokians on fro winter over any other tire.

#78 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [jana6] by peakoil

Jan 27, 2008 (9:59 pm)

Replying to: jana6 (Jan 08, 2008 10:04 pm)
I can always tell when the California EPA makes the refiners here in N CA start using the ethanol gas additive to help cut winter pollution: the mileage on my '04 Prius drops from my rest-of-the-year average of about 51.3 to about 48. 6! By the way, only about 3 of us out of the about 10 people I know who have '04 and newer Prius's get over 50mpg. The rest get about 47-48 in the spring, summer and fall.
 
I'm having a right rear brake problem. It sometimes grabs when gently braking at very low speeds. At about 5 mph the right rear wheel can lock. I get some help for a few days by stopping the car with the emergency brake a couple of times, and the regular braking system then works. But I'm sure I gotta bring the car in--I can't keep doing the emergency brake bit. It may not be what's helping anyway, just a coincidence. ABS-- I tried to start the car this afternoon, and it wouldn't, and the ABS check light was on. I finally pushed the power OFF, then back on and all was well for this afternoon's trip. The great car has got to go in for a braking system check.

#79 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [pathstar1] by jsarceno

Feb 02, 2008 (7:30 pm)

Replying to: pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 8:59 am)
I live in the suburbs of nyc. i don't drive far to work, so my mileage in winter is not good if i only go a mile or two. where would i get the nokian wr at the best price? otherwise i think i will get the michelin hydroedge at costco. i like the peace of mind with the road hazard and rotation. thx for answering.

Messages Page 8 of 12

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement