1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

37 - 43 MPG

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by kcoruol, Mar 2, 2014.

  1. kcoruol

    kcoruol Junior Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2007
    18
    0
    0
    I own a 2007 Prius and have at the most gotten 43 MPG. I'm reading here people are getting 55+ MPG. That's fantastic but what am I doing wrong?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,525
    8,428
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    43 isn't bad, I believe most average around 45 with mixed highway and city driving. 55 is really better than what most would expect.

    SM-N900P ?
     
  3. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,557
    10,324
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,104
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    kcoruol,

    Learn about hypermiling if you want better mileage than what you are getting now. Information on that subject is listed in my signature below.

    Your numbers are not BAD, just not as high as they could be in "optimum" conditions. There are a LOT of variables involved. Driving technique is one of them, climate control usage, tires and air pressure, oil in engine and so forth.

    Not sure of your location, but if it is winter time where you are, you are doing great. Summer MPG is generally better than Winter MPG in all vehicles along with the Prius.

    Best of luck to you. YMMV
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    do you drive like your pants are on fire?
     
    cwerdna and hill like this.
  6. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    20,182
    8,355
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    Worse yet, some drive like pants on fire, and they can't even acknowledge that. Most people will never get 60 or 70 mpg in their Prius. Then again most people will never earn a doctors degree, or bench press 400Lbs or become part of the top 15% wealthy or run a sub 4 minute mile. It takes more work than most are willing to commit to. Getting 50mpg is much easier than any of the above. Work at it. If you try - it'll happen.
    .
     
    cwerdna likes this.
  7. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,104
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I do agree if you want 60 MPG, you definitely have to work at it. Just driving the Prius won't produce that kind of MPG.

    I haven't updated my fuelly in a while as I am burning fuel stored in gas cans, but I will update this month when I can finally fill the tank with a gas pump. My MPG for the last few tanks has been close to and above 60 according the MFD. I estimate upper 50's for actual figures at the pump. To achieve that I have to apply hypermiling techniques as well as keeping the tires pumped up along with other items known to enhance MPG in the Prius.

    EDIT: After finally filling up and allowing for the extra fuel burned from the cans I see the Prius is delivering overall approximately low 50's at this time. This is common for the temperature here at this time and my driving techniques. Remember YMMV
     
  8. Kishore

    Kishore Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2013
    21
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I get average of 39-42 mpg if I drive 3 miles to office only :notworthy: (Short commute will be no good for MPG). For much longer drives I get average of 47 (have hit 55+ based on drives). Not great but not bad.

    Besides P &G driving technique, check tire pressure (big difference and impact if you fill 42/40 or greater as mentioned in this forum) and battery charge. I might have to replace my battery (though it was given clean bill of health) since the no load/load readings are less than recommended.

    Regards,
    Kishore
     
    CTitanic likes this.
  9. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2011
    1,686
    340
    0
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    kcoruol, also fill in the location in your profile, as that makes a big difference in the sort of advice that can be offered.
     
    cwerdna and dorunron like this.
  10. Kishore

    Kishore Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2013
    21
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have improved my 3 mile commute from ~40mpg to 48-50mpg. Here is what I have done
    -Driven fast to 40+ mph as quickly as possible and then go slower or glide
    -Changed to K&N air filter (started seeing bump of 2-3 mpg)

    Longer drives I average 52+ (usually 55+)

    I cannot wait to swap out my battery (Optima on the way) and also add in Plug in Supply conversion extra battery...

    regards,
    Kishore
     
  11. dbcassidy

    dbcassidy Toyota Hybrid Nation, 8 Million Strong

    Joined:
    May 13, 2008
    1,581
    290
    3
    Location:
    Middlesex County, MA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Your mileage is typical for cold weather (<30 F). Mine jumps to 52 - 53 mpg when the temps moderate to the low 50s.

    DBCassidy
     
  12. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,104
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Okay, I have to ask this question.

    What is it about the Optima battery that makes you want to purchase it? Also, is your car a base model or is it one that has SKS on it and a higher package than a base model?

    Inquiring mind would like to know your reasoning for the "Optima" battery.
     
  13. CTitanic

    CTitanic Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    153
    21
    0
    Location:
    South Florida, FL, US
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    If you are driving less than 3 miles to work in the city I would say that 43 mpg is not bad. If I do not play attention to my driving that's around what I get in that same distance (City). Trying to stay our of the Power Zone in the ECO scale can improve my MPG to 46 ~ 47. Accelerating quicker and after that gliding does not work to well for me.

    To get more than 50 MPG many things have to happen: temperature, tire pressure, driving techniques, state of mind, 12V battery condition, road conditions and distance.
     
  14. Kishore

    Kishore Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2013
    21
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A

    I have Prius touring #6 incl SKS. My choice of new battery was more conservative choice for improving MPG- on battery tests (display/flash light) idle/no load on I have been regularly seeing 11.9/11.2 or 11.1. Also I have noticed energy consumption issue battery keeps getting charged more often (long drives)..than on my friend's prius.

    Ok I think I spoke too soon :oops: about consistent 48-50 MPG- :( (n) I left earlier than usual today from my office at 6pm and in back to back busy traffic I got 44 MPG door to door.

    I wholeheartedly agree with Ctitanic's post above- qualifiers apply for MPG claims (y)

    Regards,
    Kishore
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i also can't wait for you to add the plug in supply conversion battery. please let us know how it goes, you will be the first.
     
  16. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,104
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hmmm. Maybe I did not make my post clear.

    What I really wanted to know is why you chose the "Optima" brand for your 12 volt battery replacement.

    Thanks for the reply.
     
  17. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,557
    10,324
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    For best results, delete the two highlighted words. Brisk acceleration does not mean hard acceleration. While the engine produces pretty good efficiency up to substantial power levels, that doesn't mean all the way to full power.
     
  18. Gorilla97

    Gorilla97 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2013
    110
    9
    0
    Location:
    Edmond, OK
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm loving the warmer weather, had my best fill up yet at 47.6 mpg! Also just installed some new Road Hugger GT Eco tires so we'll see how those do for my MPG's.
     
  19. Kishore

    Kishore Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2013
    21
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Optima was one of the recommended batteries when I browsed on here and online, and I could get it for less than $150 :)..If there is an alternate or better recommendation, it will be good for us to know :cool:
     
  20. Kishore

    Kishore Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2013
    21
    3
    0
    Location:
    San Diego
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I look forward to your feedback on the tires...I will need to replace my stock Touring tires soon.

    Regards,
    Kishore
     
    Gorilla97 likes this.
  21. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2013
    1,333
    317
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Here is my suggestion. Call Michelin at (800) 847-3435. Tell them what is important to you in a tire, then buy the Michelin tires you decide on. Can't best Michelins.
     
    Kishore likes this.