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Had Prius for a month now... here are my techniques and results.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Don Hinkle, Nov 17, 2012.

  1. Don Hinkle

    Don Hinkle Junior Member

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    I am a total newb... here is what I am doing;

    I have tried several different techniques and for city driving, this seems to be doing great.

    From a stop - I put the car in EV mode.
    I then accelerate modestly keeping the car in EV mode until I get thrown out at around 25 or so (depending on incline, load... etc). The ICE kicks on until 35 or so and then goes back into
    EV (not engaging the EV button, I mean that the EV light comes on indicating that the ICE has turned off).
    SO yes, I am putting it in EV at every stop light/sign and 85% of the time, there is enough battery power to allow it.. however a few times it has said "battery is too low" to go into EV... even though when I took off, the EV light was still on indicating that the ICE was off.


    My last several trips around town have been;
    5.4 miles 80.5 mpg
    23.2 miles 76.6 mpg
    5.3 miles 85.1 image-1.jpeg image-2.jpeg image.jpeg mpg

    my indicator only shows 56 for the tankful which is at 450 miles because I had 200 miles of highway driving at the beginning of this tank full.
    Getting ready to fill up tomorrow because I have a 100 mile round trip tonight.. GRRR!!!
     
    #1 Don Hinkle, Nov 17, 2012
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Try to keep you highway speed at 60mph and lower and you should be able to maintain 60mpg or more on your tank total. :)
     
    #2 F8L, Nov 17, 2012
  3. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I hope you are on a 4-lane road so folks can go around you as you start up :)

    Your results make sense to me. Where are all the folks who say that EV is so inefficient?
     
    #3 CaliforniaBear, Nov 20, 2012
  4. countrygirl

    countrygirl Junior Member

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    How slow are you going on these roads. I try to take off slow and do easy acceleration, but most of the time the traffic is just to much for that. I just try to quickly accelerate to good speed then back off and take it as easy as possible to maintain speed at speed limit. My best mpg usually shows anywhere between 52 and 55. Got 59 once or twice.
     
    #4 countrygirl, Nov 20, 2012
  5. seckwielen

    seckwielen Member

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    I too am a noob with the Prius. Been consistently above 50 mpg since I got my Prius back in September. Even broke the 600 mile barrier on my last tank.

    Just traveled from Florida to New Jersey and ummm let's say my worst tank yet.

    Now to the quote above. I don't believe that it's inefficient to use EV mode to start as long as you have time to drive above 40 to allow the battery to recharge. What I do believe is the undesired result is that that does put unnecessary stress on the traction battery, shortening its life. There is a reason that the normal mode does not allow acceleration that strong above the half way on the hybrid display. What you are doing by switching into EV mode is allowing a MUCH higher current draw from the traction battery. (Your big acceleration). I have found that every limitation and feature of the Prius driving experience has its reason. (Wether we like them or not)
     
    #5 seckwielen, Nov 20, 2012
  6. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I use "Pulse and EV" where the speed limit is 45 or less. This may not be as good as Pulse and Glide but it pretty much keeps up with the traffic and gets around 60mpg if there aren't too many red stop lights. Works great on slower country roads too.
     
    #6 CaliforniaBear, Nov 20, 2012
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    They are in the top 20 mile per gallon record holders thread. Ask your question there. :)
     
    #7 F8L, Nov 20, 2012
    markabele likes this.
  8. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I know "where" they are. I was just wondering if they were going to comment here :)
     
    #8 CaliforniaBear, Nov 20, 2012
  9. CaliforniaBear

    CaliforniaBear Clearwater Blue Metallic

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    I don't use the EV mode selection for my Pulse and EV. I usually have it in the ECO mode for more convenient response to the accelerator. I assume if the Prius computer selects EV as I maintain my speed on level roads, the battery usage is reasonable.
     
    #9 CaliforniaBear, Nov 20, 2012
  10. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    So you are wanting said people to prove you wrong? There are threads and threads on this subject already.
     
    #10 markabele, Nov 20, 2012
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