Wow, you're getting better mpg's in the CT than a lot of people are getting in their C's. Well done sir.
Thanks ztanos, very kind of you to notice, sir! I noticed when I started out my MPG trials when I first got the CT that it takes a smaller hit to mileage when changing speeds. While the Prius C saw a 5 to 10 mpg difference per 5 mph increments, the CT only sees 2 to 5. In my Prius, going from 55 mph to 60 mph lost me roughly 8 to 10 mpg, but in the CT, I lose only about 2 to 3 MPG. That's one bonus. So unlike with my Prius, where I drove 55 mph all the time, I now drive 60 mph on highways. That's the only difference I made to my route driving style, and so I get about 8 to 10 mpg less than my Prius overall, doing 5 mph faster on the highway. Small sacrifice for what I get out of having the CT over the C. The best I was able to do was about 54 mpg doing my route with 55 mph highway cruising. Not worthwhile when I can do 60 mph and get up to 52 mpg. Beyond 60 mph I take a bigger hit on mileage. 60 mph seems like the sweet spot for economical highway driving on the CT. This is probably why most people get a lot less out of the CT. It gets hit harder on MPGs when driving the usual 70-80 mph most people do on the highway, which I usually do not.
Just to keep these all in one place: From this thread: Prius C-3 hits 100,000 Miles | PriusChat As of February 2015: Carrollights has 101,000 mi. Raidin had 141,000 before selling Frontroe has 250,000
While I'd be interested in seeing how long it can go on the original oil, I plan to keep both cars long term. Since I have been convinced about the safety of changing of the fluid, I decided to do it on both cars. My Lexus is now on new transmission fluid with a magnetic drain plug for both engine and transmission. The C will get a transmission change when the oil change is due, and also get magnetic drain plugs for both. Sorry pilot. Maybe someone else will report a C that has gone without a transmission fluid change. Prius C is nearly at 142,000 and my CT is now at 47,500.
I think I'm going to hold on to it as long as I do this job, possibly forever. I'm hoping to turn this into a record car in terms of mileage.
I am a little disappointed in the accuracy of the on-board mpg indicator. It consistently reads 5-6% above the actual mpg, as calculated at the pump. Unless all the gas stations I have gone to decided to short-change me .. jk .. it's the on-board indicator that I suspect.
^True; and, of course, gas pumps cut off not exactly when the tank is "full". I drove a leased Explorer as a company vehicle for 83K miles and sometimes I did compare the trip computer readings with the real-life figures. The difference between the two was much smaller, and the deviation was in both + and - directions, so over time errors averaged each other out pretty nicely. As for Ms. Mila, she consistently exaggerates her true mpg by 5-6%. Perhaps its a feel-good feature Toyota came up with to keep the nerdfolk happy
^^^ In the end, it's possible the Explorer (being a far lower mpg vehicle) was off further in terms of "gallonage". Car and Driver: Mileage? No, it's Your Gallonage that Really Counts | PriusChat
I have attempted to read the "mpg vs. gallonage illusion" article . Math is fascinating, as it is confusing sometimes. What I am noticing, however (which is an entirely different subject, I'm afraid) is that the relative high mpg Prius owners report is to a great extent the result of the driving techniques that many hybrid owners adopt - voluntarily or otherwise. I think one major factor is that the hybrids' power transmitting algorithm simply doesn't allow you to accelerate the way you may want to. Harvesting the kinetic energy while coasting to a stop or going uphill may be secondary. When I drove the Pleasantly Plump Mila as I would normally drive a 100 hp subcompact (some small city, some 40-55 hp country roads, some 65-70 mpg interstate, some sitting in the near-Beltway jams, accelerating when I needed and coasting when I could), I saw the mpg lingering around 35, climbing up when stop-and-going in the city traffic, and plunging like a brick when (desperately) trying to go uphill. Compare it to the bare-bones 2007 Accent 5-speed manual: 32 avg. on the same circuit. I am fairly sure a more modern, US-market subcompact with CVT or 6-speed manual would get into high 30's - low 40's without much trying. I am not even talking about the European diesel market, where 35 mpg would bring contempt upon the driver. But, it is what it is. Mila is bought and paid for; she's going to be a good baleboste for as long as she can, and then we shall live and see.
We made a quick stop at local Toy dealer last Saturday to check a new Highlander as a next car for my wife. I was driving my PC2 and sales rep insisted on giving me a "great" trade in offer. My PC2 has 71K miles and it's front passenger door is dented ( someone just hit and run on a parking lot ). The trade in offer was $7.2K, which was an "interesting" surprise for me. Not as I am planing to replace my PC yet, but I am puzzled now if this is just a typical lowballing part of a "great CT Toy dealer experience" or this price is close to a real. And what is a real market price for 2012 PC2 with 70K, 100K, 125K ( that's where I will most likely will be looking for my PC replacement ). And how this translates into 5 year ownership cost, which is my typical car ownership cycle. So, should I pick something like a new corolla next time instead of hybrid, cause it is more economical choice for me? It will be really interesting to see a good 5year ownership estimate for PC and compare it with Corolla? I guess 25K or 30K mile per year can be used as an avg for a daily commuter car.
Thanks, but as I said , I am pretty happy with my PC2. In May 2012 I payed MSRP for my PC2. Something like $23K( including CT sales tax and dealer fees). So this translates into $14K-$16K current price depreciation for less the 3 years of ownership. I am not trying to hijack this "high mileage" thread. I also understand that my PC cannot continue to depreciate at the same rate. I am just wondering if someone can calculate and confirm that PriusC indeed is one of the lowest cost to own cars for a high mileage usage.
My guess would be that back in 2012 the gas prices were so high (and the excitement with hybrids was definitely at its peak) that the sellers didn't feel they had to move off the sticker price to make a sale. The real-life, mixed-cycle fuel economy may be one of the factors. I am somewhat amused by the fact that my PC2 gets 10% lower MPG than the EPA estimate, while all the gas-only automobiles I'd driven in the past 7-8 years delivered 10% higher MPG than the EPA figure.
-2005 Prius -284,281 Miles ODO -1000 Miles Per Week -Average 45 MPG @ 65 MPH ( Mostly Flat Highway ), Can still get 50+ At 55 MPH (non Winter). -Bought used at 120,000 Miles ODO. -New wheels were on the car when I bought it. -Installed Factory Fog Lights (with Synthetic Clear Covers or they Crack in Winter 10$ ). -Best Winter car I have ever had. -Great A/C for hot days. Maintenance: 2 Wheel Bearings, Replaced Brakes (w/ Rotors and Drums), Recharged A/C Myself once 1 Can, Exhaust 1 Time (Partial), Struts (Springs), LED for Brakes and interior, Replaced Halogen Headlights (Sylvania Ultra), Burn About 1 QT a Month (4000 Miles), Michelin Defenders (90,000+ Tread Wear, I love These), MOBIL 1 Syntehetic (Walmart 5 Quarts - 25$ ) Changed Every 20,000 Miles, Tinted Rear 3 Windows, Washed At least 3x Weekly, all engine/cabin air filters replaced every year, lubricate everything yearly (White Lithium Grease) Doors, Hatch, Rear Seat Hinges and Latches (Will Squeak), Rear Rubber Hatch stops can squeak to (Small Piece of Duct Tape on them stopped this), Hood Latch, Gas Cap Release, Seat Rails, Engine Parts that need it. http://i.imgur.com/V92c3YE.jpg http://i.imgur.com/yS7kflM.jpg http://i.imgur.com/ftxlxoy.jpg
Personally I like the move. People that do it every 5k are totally wasting money and 10k is most likely a bit of a waste as well.
Good synthetic oil in benign driving conditions can probably survive 20K miles, but aren't you supposed to get all kinds of check-ups done every 10K miles? I'll be definitely taking her to the garage every 5K miles for as longs as the dealership pays for it (I think it's 25K miles?), and then probably go to 10K miles.