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

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#74 of 113 Re: Unexpectedly Low Prius Gas Mileage [earthmom] by jana6 Jan 08, 2008 (9:04 pm)
Replying to: earthmom (Dec 26, 2007 1:46 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.... Replies to this message: peakoil (Jan 27, 2008 8:59 pm)
#75 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [rpaley] by jsarceno Jan 19, 2008 (2:51 pm)
Replying to: rpaley (Dec 28, 2007 7:55 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. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 7:59 am) tiff_c (Jan 20, 2008 4:45 pm) jsarceno (Feb 02, 2008 6:30 pm) tiff_c (Feb 02, 2008 10:21 pm)
#76 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [jsarceno] by pathstar1 Jan 20, 2008 (7:59 am)
Replying to: jsarceno (Jan 19, 2008 2:51 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. Replies to this message: tiff_c (Jan 20, 2008 4:45 pm) jsarceno (Feb 02, 2008 6:30 pm) tiff_c (Feb 02, 2008 10:21 pm)
#77 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [pathstar1] by tiff_c Jan 20, 2008 (4:45 pm)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 7:59 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 (8:59 pm)
Replying to: jana6 (Jan 08, 2008 9:04 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 (6:30 pm)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Jan 20, 2008 7:59 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. Replies to this message: tiff_c (Feb 02, 2008 10:21 pm)
#80 of 113 Re: Replacement Tire Suggestions for a Prius [jsarceno] by tiff_c Feb 02, 2008 (10:21 pm)
Replying to: jsarceno (Feb 02, 2008 6:30 pm) 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? Nokian has a website and a toll free # and they will give you the name of all the dealers near you. I get free rotations with my Nokians every 5,000 miles. We have had heavy snow, wintry mix, slush and 2" of sleet! My driveway was not plowed so I drove in the sleet with no problems. The Nokian WR is a tire you won't regret buying. If our winter was any worse i would buy Nokian RSi's. I bought those before and they were awesome in snow and ice but terrible on dry pavement. The WR's are good in snow and ice and excellent on dry roads. http://www.nokiantires.com/en/DEFAULT.ASPX This website should help you find your answers.
#81 of 113 Question about battery life when stuck in traffic by luvmyredprius Feb 25, 2008 (5:26 am)
Hi there, I just bought my first Prius 3 weeks ago. I love it. I was recently stuck on a typical Southern California freeway for an hour and I became concerned as I watched the battery going down, down, down. When I say stuck, I mean that it took 50 minutes to go about 2 miles. Should I be concerned? Was my mistake that I was watching the "energy" screen? It went down to about 2 bars. Thanks for any help you can give me. Replies to this message: stevegold (Feb 25, 2008 3:26 pm) luvmyredprius (Feb 25, 2008 6:11 pm)
#82 of 113 Re: Question about battery life when stuck in traffic [luvmyredprius] by stevegold Feb 25, 2008 (3:26 pm)
Replying to: luvmyredprius (Feb 25, 2008 5:26 am) You can watch the screen if you'd like. It means little. A full battery gives you 2-3 minutes of power assist, an empty battery requires 2-3 minutes to recharge. A Prius is a well designed small car with an UNDERSIZED engine that uses the battery/motor to assist when you need to accelerate quickly or drive up a short steep hill. That arrangement provides good economy for normal driving (90+% of the time) and good performance for the other 5%. There are a lot more fine points but that's the basic reason you get good economy and good performance. I have a 2004. It is the best car I've ever owned and the most fun. My wife's Highlander Hybrid sucks except it's a 4WD which we need when it storms here in Colorado. Good luck. Replies to this message: luvmyredprius (Feb 25, 2008 6:11 pm)
#83 of 113 Re: Question about battery life when stuck in traffic [stevegold] by luvmyredprius Feb 25, 2008 (6:11 pm)
Replying to: stevegold (Feb 25, 2008 3:26 pm) Thanks very much. I thought I was just obsessing. I absolutely love this car and the advice available in this forum.