Averaging 31.9 mph, How to increase?

you can't tell mpg this way. start with a full tank, drive until it beeps, refill, calculate mpg by dividing miles by gallons and get back to us. are we talking imperial gallons?

 

correct. as an example (forgive the u.s. units) if i drive 540 miles and pump 10 gallons, 540 / 10 = 54 mpg.

 

just a current drive reading which can be very misleading. to get a good idea of the health of the car, you really need to average 4 or 5 tankfuls together.

 

The UK Prius does not have the bladder in the tank so refills of fuel are much more consistent than the US version. The MFD consumption readout is about 3 to 4 mpg optimistic, "meaning the OP is only getting about 28 mpg on UK gallons" but it is consistent, and will give a good guide to consumption. His fuel consumption is less than half of the expected UK figure for the time of year, and should be easily in the low 60's.

First reset the mpg to zero on the bar graph display screen then drive the car normally "as you would any other automatic car" for about 25 miles. Then check the reading again and report back here. Try to avoid lots of short runs when doing this, rather do one 20/25 mile run.

John (Britprius)

 

I'd also be curious as to the type and condition of the tyres and the condition of the 12v battery.

Then see what the mpg's are after the trip computer has been reset. You don't know if it's been sat on idle for extended periods causing the average to drop.

Then a service might help

 

I've found with mine, the longer I have it, the better the mpgs!

A number of reasons for this:

1. My driving style - I'm much better at achieving higher mpgs as my skills improve. A Prius does not drive like every other car

2. Tyres and tyre pressure - high pressure in good low rolling resistance tyres, in my case, Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance

3. Maintenance - regular oil changes, circa 10k miles with filter. I've also changed the gearbox oil and keep the air filter clean. Plugs were changed also, probably prematurely, but did them anyway as wasn't sure if they were ever done. I also replaced the 12v battery just after I bought it

There's a few v good threads on here which you need to read regarding gen 2 fuel consumption

 

Oh and that reminded me.

Op, do not think you can out smart the Prius by using EV mode or 'forcing' the car to stay in electric longer than it likes. You might think you're doing the best thing but actually you're not. Just drive the car gently and let it work out when to use electric or not. It really is programmed well and does know best - seriously.

If you don't the car just runs the engine longer to try and top up the HV battery, using much more fuel in the process. It is counter intuitive but just let the car work itself out.

EV mode is for showing off to your friends or moving the car very short distances such as out of your garage and onto your drive etc.

 

It's time to unplug the 12v for ten minutes then start your mpg's watch, Well, it wouldn't hurt to replace the 12v if it's 4 or 5 years old, clean the cabin air filter and check the ice (internal combustion engine) filter, check that the emergency brake cable isn't tight and dragging the rear brakes.

 

My thinking on this relates to the very low millage for the year "41,000 in 6 years" suggests the car has done mostly short runs. If the mpg readout has not been reset to zero the figures could be a lot better than than is being reported. This especially as the car was recently purchased and many people could have been on short test drives knocking the figures down even more. So doing a test run starting from zero will give a more accurate mpg figure.
Unless we know what that true figure is we are possibly chasing shadows.

John (Britprius)

 

The UK gen2 Prius does not have the same brakes as the US version. The rear brakes are discs "rotors" for the normal foot brake, and small drums for the parking brake. This means the parking brake rarely needs any adjustment as the wheels are not rotating when the parking brake is in use, and the brake shoes are not used to slow the car as the US version this being done by the disc "rotor" pads.

John (Britprius)

 

Hi Salman Khan, how's your Prius T Spirit now? I also have a 2008 Gen II T Spirit, as has John (Britprius).

What type of tyres are installed on your car? If they're not LRR (Low Rolling Resistance) type tyres, that might partially explain the unusual reduction in mpg that you're experiencing.

Make sure you reset the Average MPG counter each time you fill up with fuel. Fill your tank right up, it'll take at least 42 litres of fuel from when the "Beep" goes, and you're on reserve fuel usage.
Remember, you don't have to put Super Unleaded or VPower Ultimate fuel in this car. No need for 98 / 99RON Fuels. The T Spirit is designed to run on 95RON standard unleaded fuel. Driving in London, I have achieved as much as 66.5mpg @ 628 miles out of about 44 litres of petrol (The tank takes 45 litres max).
Driving it "like you stole it" in the city / urban environment should get you no less than 55mpg - and even then you'd be seriously hammering that accelerator pedal ALL the time. I've been doing a bit of that lately during my commute - from a fresh tank of fuel, and I've got a lowly 61mpg right now - I repeat, that's me experimenting with pushing the car harder than I'd normally do - two days of "Warp Speed" to work in the mornings. Whoever said the Prius is "slow" definitely needs their head examined. Remember you're using 2 engines while accelerating hard - petrol + electric; the latter delivering 67hp (petrol engine is 76hp). It's almost like "Spaceship Two" when flying uphill - if you dare!! I don't do this often though. Guzzles fuel that way....but it can!

If you always drive with the A/C on, DON'T use the Automatic A/C function. Instead do it manually - set temp to between 16 - 18c (I'm on 18c right now), and the fan on the lowest setting. Direct the flow of air at you through the vents - you'll feel chilled like that.

Cool your vehicle down on a hot day by winding the windows down and driving for a while to expel all the hot air, then wind up and A/C on.

Your driving style also matters a lot - do you do lots of very short journeys? Take advantage of coming down hills by NOT pushing hard on the throttle, but instead feathering it, you'll see 99mpg coming down not just steep hills but also roads with shallow downward elevations.

You'll need to learn the art of "pulsing and gliding". Did you know you can travel distances along a downward incline using NO fuel or electricity at all? Yes you can! And you'll soon learn to do it all the time too.

Get up to speed quickly (speed limit of course ), foot off the throttle, reapply very faintly so that you seem to be just caressing the pedal with your foot, and you'll see your mpg rise significantly. Hold your speed. No need for racing style throttle ups and heavy last second braking. Take advantage of regenerative braking by applying the brakes well before you come to a halt. This just recaptures energy, recharges your HV battery.
That power then gets used getting you back up to cruising speed quickly.

Don't drive at 90mph - you'll burn fuel heavily. Don't go more than 70mph - I stick to 65mph and cruise in the "slow lane" - my choice, but I get well over 60mpg for my troubles - and have a very relaxed and quiet journey.

The key to high mpg in a Prius is driving with a very light foot when cruising, and planning ahead at all times while driving. Utilise the momentum of the vehicle to keep moving where possible - the vehicle is a natural road going glider.

Lastly, the Prius is as much a "spaceship" as a car. The same principles of motion apply. Thrust, main engine cut off, momentum, retro braking manoeuvres (regen braking).....yes, I'm partially tongue in cheek about this, but, while some say "Just drive it", I'd say, adapt, relearn how to drive and take advantage of this amazing futuristic vehicle with it's "out of this world" drive train. You'll soon realise this is no ordinary car.
I say you don't drive a Prius.....you fly it.....because you pay more attention to your driving regime, much like an Airbus pilot might do when flying THAT plane.

Lastly, get it serviced by Toyota. Not some third party hack. Seriously. The prices in London are very competitive and I know for sure Jemca Toyota (Edgware Road) do a fantastic job. I'm very impressed with their service. Good luck Mr Khan, and welcome to PriusChat

 

And often the local Toyota dealer will price match a service quote from elsewhere. Or at least it doesn't hurt to ask them

That way you get the correct parts, recall checks, service bulletins (important) and software updates.

 

I chose the 2008 Prius T Spirit over the equivalent Mercedes A or B Class, Audi A3 or BMW 3 series from the same year, based partially on both reliability, amazing real time fuel economy and a very good Toyota Dealer Service Support with very good pricing. You are not liable to be financially gouged like....say, Mercedes might do you for example.

It's comforting to have a dealer network that seems committed to ensuring that their customers vehicles are well taken care of, and treat their clients with respect. This has been my experience so far. I was only ever going to take my "Spaceship" to Toyota for servicing and MOT's. They built this road going spacecraft / aircraft / road glider / futuristic transport system, so who better to ensure it runs within design parameters? At least in London anyway. I know it's different in the US.
I've had 15 months of trouble free motoring so far - and I'm very, very impressed with my 2008 Toyota Prius T Spirit.

Spending £70 on fuel a month, commuting, where a standard vehicle of the same size would have cost me at least £210 (and likely a good bit more) per month really is the icing on the cake here. It's like my Tube Train on the road going where I WANT! With it's myriad extras onboard, the whole package just totally blows my mind!

p.s. I don't work for Toyota - I'm just an average IT Nerd with automotive "good taste", and knows a genuine technological bargain when he sees one

 

Try to be consistent when you fill up, so the averages will have less fluctuation. For example, choose to fill up when there are 2 bars left (or whatever you want), and stick to this. If you fluctuate the fill ups (5 bars, 1 bar, 3 bars, etc), your averages will have some big swings.

NO unnecessary junk in the (vehicle) trunk/boot too.

 

i think salman swam downstream.

 

He doesn't have to be concerned about problems with fill-ups like we do in the US does he since he doesn't have a bladder in his tank does he???

 

You're right, our gen2 didn't have a bladder. But the comments about averaging fill ups still apply.