600 Mile Club

For those who don't know this, when filling your Prius when the pump auto clicks off at low speed setting,
you can still fill up with an extra 2 gallons of gas until you can see it at the top of the gas tank neck, like Wayne Gerdes does from cleanmpg.com when he is testing cars for true mpg's. This will give you at least another 110 miles which should make a 600 mile tank a piece of cake....

 

I think most people believe that you get a bit more of a fair assessment using the auto click feature, which is why so many follow it. I had one of those malfunction when I was in college and gas sprayed all over the place. So, I stand there and hold the pump until it stops. I know plenty of people fill over that amount, but I don't see the point. Especially these days with the temps in Atlanta being over 90 degrees. Overfilling can lead to evaporation or leaking out of the fuel cap. I have witnessed it first hand when a previous car sat in the hot driveway. Oregon is probably a lot cooler temperature-wise than Atlanta. I have never been there, so I can't judge the differences.

 

A 2003 Prius with 150,000 miles, a work in progress, this photo is about an hour old:

The tank bar is NOT flashing. When it flashes, I typically have 1.2 gallons or about 70 miles remaining. When it starts flashing, I'll carry a 1 gallon spare in the trunk and run it dry. BTW, this is Costco, regular, E10, ~$3.17/gallon.

So this is what the mileage display showed:

BTW, the mileage and miles are ~6% low. The true miles are ~636 miles. I've checked the calibration against both GPS and highway mile markers.

The front tires are ~6% larger diameter than the stock tires, notice the difference in the side walls in the photo:

The tires are described here and consist of:

• Front - Sumitomo T4 195/70R14, 849 rev/mile vs 902 rev/mile stock, improved straight-line stability, probably due to gyroscopic forces. The 6% over-drive effect means the transaxle turns slower, lower stirring losses at equivalent speeds and distances. Also using Type WS transaxle oil instead of Type T-IV, the original.
• Rear - Sumitomo T4 175/70R14, 886 rev/mile vs 902 rev/mile stock

My vanity plate:

Yes, that is trailer hitch.

Driving style:

1. Select routes where the posted speed limit allows 40 mph or lower without bothering normal traffic flow. Less traveled is better, avoid the crowd.
2. Follow the slowest traffic: DO NOT TAILGATE!! EVER!!! NO DRAFTING!!!!
3. Change lanes to let over-taking traffic pass on whatever side they want.
4. 0-50 seconds - accelerate modestly on traction battery to ~38 mph, shift into "N". This is when the catalytic converters are warming up and the control laws try to minimize ICE power by using traction battery energy.
5. 50 seconds -> 70C coolant - slowest speed the traffic allows (25-35 mph), choose downgrade routes, and use "N" when practical.
6. 70C - seek opportunity to go Stage-4 (i.e., stop and let engine auto-stop).
7. Use cruise control to hold speed.
8. Choose two lanes or more in your direction over one lane to let faster traffic pass.
9. Choose flatter routes over hills and grades.
10. Choose fewer stop light routes unless stop light timing for "green just in time" speed is known.
11. Make first leg of multi-stop trip the longest.
12. If the choice exists, accelerate on downgrades and approach stop lights on upgrades.
13. Try to keep ICE rpm < 2,400 rpm but don't make a fetish out of it . . . avoid accidents.

There is a reasonable probability that I'll reach 700 miles indicated on this tank. Another 75 miles and the true miles will be 700 miles. Without 'flash', I'm 75% sure I have enough gas for true 700 miles and about 25% confident I'll reach 700 miles indicated.

Bob Wilson

ps. The reason we do not tailgate or draft or follow closely is the leading vehicle speed changes often means touching the brake to avoid a collision. Worse, trying to accelerate in sync wastes gas. We want to minimize braking and throttle. Even regenerative braking loses some energy that can never be reclaimed. Throttle simply wastes gas as we're trying to get somewhere efficiently, not do some sort of 'formation driving.' At these speeds, aerodynamic drag is insignificant compared to inertial, speed change losses.

 

Bob--
Don't the earlier generation prius fuel systems require a 3 gallon fill before they recognize they have gas after running out?

 

SSSSHHHUUUSSSSHHHH! We don't want him to find out. <grins>

I am pretty sure the minimum gallon addition is just to reset 'flash'. I use the one gallon spare to reach a gas station which is fairly easy in a +52 MPG car. I just reset the "B" trip meter and track how much gas I've burned.

Bob Wilson

 

I did it again and got a new record! Strange how the temperatures are rising in Atlanta, I have had to use the A/C nearly every afternoon on low and yet got my best mpg. ever. Maybe heat is a good thing for something? Traffic has been A LOT worse in the metro area, so I assume that has something to do with it. Anyway, My car took 9.866 gallons. I wasn't much past the zero, but with the latest rain storms, and the resulting traffic, I didn't want to push it with an extra 65 or so miles.

 

Completed 6/18/13
Trip A: 611.6 miles
10.652 gal. Nozzle clicked at 10.15 g. I always add another 0.50 g past the nozzle click.
57.4 mpg / 59.5 mpg computer
Fueling Remarks: Fuel light came on at 9 miles DTE. I drove till 2 miles DTE
1.7 gal remaining according to Scanguage. The Scangauge fuel remaining always seems spot on with the Prius v wagon.

2012 Prius v wagon package 2.


Tires: Stock Yokohama Blue Earth S34 205-60R16's. 48 psi Front, 45 psi Back.

Weather: Temperature in the mid 60's to low 70's for the last couple of weeks with no rain.

Commute:

Drive by myself most of the time

64.5 mile rountrip to work based on my ECO route. The ECO route reduces my trip to work by 1.5 miles and replaces 3 mi freeway with surface streets. This only adds 4 minutes on average to my commute and yields about 5-7 mpg per trip.

Mostly no traffic on the way to work (32 miles). On the way home in rush hour traffic for about 5 miles on I-5 @ < 25 mph for 5 miles.

Techniques:

I drive the speed limit on I-5 (60 mph) and try to glide? (super highway mode?) on downhills while accelerating prior to uphills.

 

Having done the experiment, six times in our ZVW30 and over 40 times in our NHW11:

[WARNING] Running out of gas (Gen III) | PriusChat​

There is a reason why we have one gallon, spare gas cans. In a 60 MPG car, the car can reach a gas station. Just carry the spare can once flash starts.

Bob Wilson

 

Really happy to join the 600 Mile Club with my 'PringV'!
I believe I am the 4th V in this this PriusChat (and probably the 1st V living in Canada) to the 600 Mile Club.
I just completed 1,016.2km (631.4miles) with 4.2L/100km (56mpg) couple hours ago (June 21, 2013). I drove 95.8km (59.5miles) with 3.8L/100km (61.9mpg) after a cruising range became zero. 46L (12.15gal) gas was filled in a tank after I made this record. The information below are some details.

<Basic info>
-Date: June 4-21, 2013
-Model: Prius V (Luxury package)
-Tires: Original (16" Michelin Energy Saver)
-Driving mode: 100% Normal
-Average morning temperature: about 11C (52F)
-Average daytime temperature: about 19C (66F)
-Driving pattern: 60% (9-10km=c.6miles), 30% (5-6km=c.3.5miles), 5% (3km), and 5% (>15km)

<Techniques for a short distance driving>
1. Always starts within the range of EV gauge (not EV mode) and drive very slowly (15-20km (c.10 miles) during the first 30-60 seconds without warming up the engine. Since my my daily driving distance is very short, I tried to save even little bit of oil (While slowly driving, the engine is warming-up, and the vehicle automatically goes with EV mode (not shown in the dash board).
2. Then, gently accelerate until 60-62km (c.38miles).
3. Once the V reached c.60km, try to drive in EV status until the speed goes down to 50-54km (31-34miles). Try not to use full EV range. Use c.2/3 of EV range so that you can save lots of battery power.
4. Repeat no.2 and 3.
5. Make sure that your battery should be maintained around 3-4 (not below 3 and above 4).
* I often used cruise control (c. half of my driving). I don't find a significant difference between cruise control and my own foot control.
* When I started this journey, I filled up the tank about 3.3L more after the first nozzle click.

<Factors influencing fuel efficiency>
-Weather: Low morning temperature severely decreases fuel economy, especially while driving in a short distance.
-Distance: If you drive in a very short distance everyday (<5km=c.3miles), it is unlikely to achieve 5L/100km (c.47mpg) unless you are a super best PRIUS driver or temperature is always around 24C (75F) without a bad traffic.
-Information of a route

<Tips>
1.Fill up the tank c.3L (0.8 gal) more after the first nozzle click. (You can fill up 1 or 2L more, but it is a bit dangerous for the vehicle)
2.Courage and belief on PriusV: Anybody can drive at least 80km (50mile) after cruising range is zero. If you maintain your driving record to 4.0L/100km (c.59mpg) after 0 km on your cruising range, you can drive at least 100km more.

***I am so happy now because not only I accomplished this record, but I can finally drive my V with Power mode! My challenge for 600miles is done now until this fall, and I will enjoy driving my PringV during the summer. Hope this info helps someone who need better fuel mileage in a short distance. Thanks!

 

Hit the 600 Mile Club in September of 2012 but am just now posting.

• - 620 miles
• - Actual MPG was 57.7
• - No special techniques, other than to follow basic good practices for obtaining high MPG.
• - Probably drove 40 miles or so after the low warning fuel light
• - I never fill up beyond the initial turn-off of the fuel dispensor
• - OEM 15' wheels and tires (Goodyear)

 

Would have made it into the 600 mile club, except for the better half yesterday. 560 miles on 9.75 gallons. Pick your battles in the end.....

 

Words to live by!!

 

Done.
This was my biggest variance so far in calculated vs displayed.

601.3 Miles
Calculated MPG: 55.8
Displayed MPG: 59.3
Miles: 601.3
Gallons: 10.776
Price: $3.810/Gallon

 

used mostly cruise control on the freeway plugin probably helped me to to 600+ miles on this tank

speed range from 65-75 on the freeway
8/8 to 8/15 2013
How long you ran on the blinking low-fuel warning light maybe 200 miles wasn't really tracking this
Wheel and tire setup: 15 inch bridgestone ecopia 42f/40r

 

Have a new work commute this year that is much more MPG friendly.

Work commute round trip Mon-Fri breaks down to:
13.10 miles - Streets
99.56 miles - Freeway
Was able to top my previous best of 46 mph with a new record for the 600 mile club, 47mph

And lastly, yes I always top off my tank

 

new to prius chat. been lurking for a few months, trying to learn from you guys- pulse and glide and airing up my tires and such. Thought it only appropriate to join the 600 and 700 mile club first.


this was done in mostly highway, 55-60mph, with probably 200 miles of city thrown in. I have cheap milestar touring se tires that the used car dealer put on before I purchased the vehicle. but I do keep them at 50psi. this tank was not overfilled but was stopped on the first click and filled up to 9.6 at the click, so 62.9 actual. this seems to be the trend with my car over the last 3 months since I bought it. I seem to get anywhere from 3-7 more than the reading on the dash. the last pip started flashing at 558.8, and the dte was zero at 591.3. temperatures for this one were pretty warm, last Sunday's tank, and temps were 90-100 degrees. I start off in EV mode to 24 and then go eco. I coast as much as I can to the point of annoying traffic then I speed up to 5-10 over speed limit and coast again.

 

I have done 2 fillups when the light started blinking and each one filled up at 9.1 gallons so that leaves me with 3 gallons right? I think the manual said 12.1 fuel capacity. So if I am at 480 miles and am averaging 54-55 mpg should have no problem getting 600+ mpg?

 

Hi all, I'm wondering if this is the place I should post. I should be hitting 600 miles on one tank tomorrow. I've been over 580 4 times now . Should i post my pic tomorrow in this thread for my lexus?