As a result of the fuel-saving tips provided by our resident Prius forum gurus, I aired up the tires (to a "conservative" 40/38), filled the tank with ethanol free gas, and followed the recommended fuel-saving driving tips. As a result, my '08 ("Elaine") went from 45.5 mpg to 50.6. Thanks y'all.
Where do you live??? I have a 08 and this currant tank is at 24mpg. short trips and temps in the teens!!
Gulf coast; but 24 mpg doesn't sound right for a Prius; from reading the forum it seems that if your mpg is not what it should be, check the tire pressure (some go with 42/40 psi), engine oil level, and 12v battery. Snow tires and non LRR tires can take a toll on mileage, as can a weak 12v battery and engine oil being overfull. And of course, short trips. (did I get that right, guys/gals?)
...hope you mean 42...I opened this thread just to see if Elaine08 lived in warmer area...sounds like yes. Good work though Elaine08.
Yes, sorry... didn't previously specify.... hurricane country/no snow. Perhaps some of that increase can also be attributed to driving while needing neither heat nor a/c ? Turned the heat on this week and it seems to have gone down about 1.5 mpg.
Here we go. 2008 prius touring with 93,000 mi. It runs great. New 12 volt Batt. last week.. LRR tires at 42/40.. Fresh correct oil just below the full mark. K&N filter..Grill blocking in place. Pulse and glide used all the time. I drove about 35 mi. today and the mileage increased to 27 mpg. The best this car has done in the summer with no heat or A/C is 46 mpg. all city. But these short ( 4 mi. ) trips with temps in the teens are killing me. Oh, the car is kept in a garage at 40 to 50 degrees. This is about the same mileage as my wifes 2012 Camry XLE 4 cyl.
You might want to consider an engine block heater. There is some discussion as to whether that will actually reduce your overall energy consumption, due to the kwH used in the heater. But running the car in such short urban trips in the cold is the limit case for low MPG. I would see if it improves after a complete warmup into stage 4.
Thats most of the problem. It never gets to stage four under 10 mi. And I discovered I cant get up my sons lightly snow covered driveway. I might as well drive the Camry. That way I can have heat,comfort and traction with the same milage.
