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Mileage still sucks...302 to a tank...all city driving

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by Tony Habanero, Jul 29, 2013.

  1. Steve terry

    Steve terry Member

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    Anyone names habanero is already hot. But I drive 3 to 6 mile trips in town, small town only 10 miles long enbd to end. and some days I get 32 some I get 50. Central Oklahoma, Cooler this year only low hundreds. I do use the AC. On the highway I drive 37 miles each way to work. At 0600 in the morning I get 47 mpg , dash reading and on way home 2200 I get 50 mpg. Only had the 2013 prius 3 about a month and love it to death.
     
  2. W5JCK

    W5JCK Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply. From what I'm reading here I think you are probably correct on the AC being a factor right now, but I got the same mpg throughout winter when H/AC was used minimally. I'll check the tire pressure. I had the dealership inflate them with nitrogen to lessen the variation of pressure due to our extreme temperature changes here in North Texas. I think they inflated them to 35 lbs, but I'll check.
     
  3. Drdiesel

    Drdiesel Active Member

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    I run 42 PSI in all 4, but I sometimes have luggage in the hatch. Otherwise, I would run 42-F and 40-R
     
  4. W5JCK

    W5JCK Junior Member

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    You don't have any side effects with the tires inflated 10 lbs over spec? It is so hot where I live I need to be cautious with the tires. Does it make your Prius ride rough? I noticed a difference from 32 lbs to 35 lbs in that mine seems to absorb less bumping on the road.
     
  5. Drdiesel

    Drdiesel Active Member

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    It's only 7 PSI over the recommended setting. Yes, it feels rougher than a lower PSI, but that's the compromise for better MPG.
    I live in a climate that rarely reaches over 80° in the summer and is usually around 72°.
    My tires wear very even and flat @ 42 psi. I rotate and balance every 5K miles.
     
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  6. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Bump them up to 40 and you should notice a difference in MPG without a difference in ride quality.
     
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  7. minkus

    minkus Active Member

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    Max sidewall for mine is 51, and I also have mine around 42. Ride is a bit rough on bad roads, but I don't drive over many of those.
     
  8. MustangConvert

    MustangConvert Junior Member

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    I live in the Texas Hill Country. There have been no side effects for me with all 4 tires at 40 psi. The improvement in gas mileage is definitely noticeable.
     
  9. W5JCK

    W5JCK Junior Member

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    I took a short trip this weekend of 157 miles round trip, mostly highways, and I got 48.4 mph! I guess all my short drives around town are causing the previous low mileage. BTW, my tires are at 34 psi and I bounced around quite a bit on some of those bumpy rural Texas highways. I don't think I'll increase the psi any more.

    On another note, any one else find the navigation system to be rubbish? It is way too difficult to add waypoints and the directions are not always timely, clear, or correct, especially in town. My Garmin is much better.
     
  10. Bingee

    Bingee Member

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    Tire pressure ??
    I read much about tire pressure I have ended with 44 front 42 rear
    Yes makes a difference. And winter time in michigan. ..... We block
    The grill. Hugh difference with cold weather
     
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  11. Steve terry

    Steve terry Member

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    I am running 38 psi in all 4 tires and made a 400 mile trip in oklahoma and averaged 44 PMG. On my daily trip to work I went37 miles at 75 mph and got 42 mpg then next day went 65 mph and got 56 mpg. But I normally drive to and from work at 65 mph and get 48-50 mpg. Some reason I got 56 mpg today. Hope it stays that way.
     
  12. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    Yeah, you get better highway mileage in your liftback... rub it in why don't you. :)
     
  13. Steve terry

    Steve terry Member

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    :) Your 53.6 looks pretty good to me.
     
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  14. ztanos

    ztanos All-around Geek!

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    My turn to rub it in... :) My trip is mostly city or hwy at 55 mph... that's where the C excels. :D
     
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  15. VirgilCane

    VirgilCane Junior Member

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    I just got my 2013 Prius C 2, though I call it the IC for inner city because that's where I drive all day long. I have never before even liked or cared about a car. It's just been a necessary evil. I am so in love with this car. My wife says I might love my Prius more than her, not true. I am posting 63 to 68 MPG on most of my trips during the day which range from 3 to 20 miles per trip and around 4 to 5 five trips into the IC per day. I have completely change my driving style however from a lead foot to a great great grandma. I tell people never to get behind me. I don't pull out in front of other cars,and wait for everyone to speed by before pulling out from a stop sign. I also stay in the right lane where possible so all the speeders can easily pass me. I had to get used to people being frustrated tailgating me but I figured they can get over it, slow down or simply pass me.
     
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  16. Tony Habanero

    Tony Habanero Junior Member

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    Not trolling...whatever that is. We're to help/support each other not rag on each other. I'm dealing with cancer of a loved one so caring for him consumes my time! The car still isn't getting the mileage it should. The air is always on "lo" and I use Sunoco 87 gas. Short trips.
     
  17. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    It's not any one thing, it's everything you do while driving that saves gas. 1) Search the term "pulse and glide". It will teach you how to maximize mpg. 2) Most PriusChat owners prefer tire pressure of 42/40 (you always want 2 pounds extra pressure on the front tires). It actually improves tire wear and traction. I've had tires that allowed 56 ppi and the ride was just fine. Try 38/36, if you must. 34 is just too low and costs you a 2-4 mpg 3) Brand of gas makes absolutely no difference. 4) Short trips (under 7 miles) kill mpg and costs you 10ish mpg. 5) ac and heat cost 5-10 mpg. 6) Lead foot/power driving can take another 5-10mpg (see first note about "pulse and glide"). It won't take you more than a few weeks to get the hang of things and is certainly worth the effort.
     
  18. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    I get it, but, sorry, my OCD kicked in... What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
     
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  19. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Is this a cheese shop?
     
  20. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Either you are trolling or ignorant of basic physics and maths. You do everything in your power to decimate your average fuel economy and then still get 40's which is pretty damn good for any vehicle.

    If you drive a 20mpg car with the AC on max all the time around the city you will be lucky to get 16mpg. Only a 4mpg difference right? Well 4mpg is 20%. Get in a 50mpg car, and the same 20% means you get 40mpg. The way you drive, you won't get anywhere near the rated mpg in any vehicle. The Prius family will net you the best you can without going to a pure electric, but then you would probably ignore efficiency there and get stranded on the road because the estimated range didn't count on your driving style.
     
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