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Mileagae this winter is worse than ever

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014.

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  1. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    What with the reformulated winter gasoline and the burden of heating up the interior, winter mileage has always dropped (for me) from 52 to 42-43 ish mpg. But this winter I am getting 35-37 mpg!!

    I can tell that even in Eco mode, the slighted push on the gas pedal gets the Hybrid System Indicator zips past the center to "engage the IC engine" zone.

    I hope this is not an indication of the traction battery condition deteriorating w age (as it is apt to do so, eventually, if not now).
     
    #1 alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Well around here, we're having an exceptionally cold winter, so I went to grill blocking again. Give it a try.
     
    #2 El Dobro, Feb 8, 2014
  3. Canard

    Canard Member

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    I caved this winter, and use heat every day. 20 km one-way commute to the work, with a block heater and grill blocking... my nice 4.6 L/100 km average is being tarnished by 6.0+ tanks!

    -Iain
     
    #3 Canard, Feb 8, 2014
  4. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    I used to forgo interior heating (fan off) until 10 min into the drive, to give the engine a chance to warm up. But decided that it was dumb self-flagellation when others in my family, driving an Odyssey and CR-V are merrily enjoying driving with their 18 mpg vehicles. At least I'm still getting twice their mileage!!

    Time to stop feeling guilty and start enjoying (whatever is remaining of) life.
     
    #4 alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014
    Merkey, hybridbear, Jin and 1 other person like this.
  5. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    If the battery is really cold, it won't let you draw much power from it, which is why the engine seems to kick on sooner. I bet if you drive it for a while or leave it parked in a warm garage, the "problem" will go away.
     
    #5 vskid3, Feb 8, 2014
  6. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    I'll find out when spring is finally here. I can see a step increase in mileage when they switch to summer gasoline in late spring (and reverse in late fall).
     
    #6 alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014
  7. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    Here in MN it has been colder than usual and the snowfall events have quite often fallen immediately before rush hours.
    The combination has affected hybrids, gas and EVs.
    It is just that people who pay attention notice the change. Those driving EVs and hybrids are more likely to be paying attention.
     
    #7 Zythryn, Feb 8, 2014
    Merkey and hybridbear like this.
  8. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Your change in heater use combined with the colder weather is year account for it entirely in my opinion.
     
    #8 css28, Feb 8, 2014
  9. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    What kind of drop in mpg have others in the cold-belt seen this year?
    Mine went from 52 to 35 mpg. I haven't made any physical modifications to the vehicle
     
    #9 alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014
  10. Fore

    Fore Don't look back!

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    Welcome to the club of (lower MPG's during winter)
     
    #10 Fore, Feb 8, 2014
  11. alokeprasad

    alokeprasad Member

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    I expect the drop. It has always happened in past winters.
    Just want to make sure that I'm not an outlier because the drop is much more this winter (which has been colder than the past ones, for sure).
     
    #11 alokeprasad, Feb 8, 2014
  12. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    My theory is it's a global balance. While your winter has been exceptionally cold. Our West Coast winter has been unusually dry and warm. My usual winter mileage drop is nearly non existent. So I guess my 10 mpg drop has been transferred to you.

    Sucks for everyone because we're going to have one of the worst droughts in history come summer without the snowmelt.

    iPhone ?
     
    #12 mmmodem, Feb 8, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you probably need a new 12 volt battery.
     
    #13 bisco, Feb 8, 2014
  14. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    My Prius is less than a year old. First winter.
    No garage.
    Forced to park outside.
    No Grill Blocking.
    I use the heater/defrost as needed.

    My MPG have fallen this coldest part of the winter to the 37-40 ish zone.

    I'm just considering this normal. And I'm happy.

    Again...with a Prius in the coldest of weather, I'm still getting at it's worst, what most vehicles champion as being GREAT during ideal weather.

    How am I going to complain about that?

    This spring, summer...fall...if the MPG's don't return to the 50+ rate....then maybe I'll worry. Otherwise...I consider it good..and normal.
     
    #14 The Electric Me, Feb 8, 2014
  15. Jimi1976

    Jimi1976 Active Member

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    I drive about 50 miles each day.....northern suburbs of Chicago (hello polar vortex!).

    With factoring in warming up your car....mpg is crap. After car is warmed up, and ready to drive, I reset one of the trip counters. This winter, I have been getting anywhere from 40-55mpg.
    Summer...I have seen 72mpg during my daily commute


    iPhone ?
     
    #15 Jimi1976, Feb 15, 2014
  16. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    My PIP is down to 73mpg for Jan from the high of 113mpg for August.
    Average about 1300 mi/month.
     
    #16 ny_rob, Feb 15, 2014
  17. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Has anybody noticed, during the cold weather, the home heating bill has gone up ?
     
    #17 BZzap!, Feb 16, 2014
  18. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    It's far more than RFG and heating the interior. See Why mileage gets worse in winter | PriusChat.
     
    #18 cwerdna, Feb 16, 2014
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    On the bright side, everyone in the "polar vortex" side of the country is getting worse fuel economy. :)
     
    #19 F8L, Feb 16, 2014
  20. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    In my G2, even with a 99% grill block upper & lower, the use of a block heater AND LRR snow-tires, I struggle to get 43.5mpg right now. And every .1 of that 43.5mpg was a fight!!

    Better than the 39.7mpg average I scored a few tanks ago though, when our daily temps were -15f with -40f windchills. It was like the block heater wasnt even making a difference.....
     
    #20 PriusGuy32, Feb 17, 2014
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