Terrible MPG: What am I doing wrong?

No snow (yet) here today, but yesterday my Prius tires were down 4 pounds since this set was put on in warmer weather a couple months ago.

 

Just up the road from you, we got our first snow overnight. Not looking nice though, a slushy mess this morning, temp at -1C.

 

I have to amend my original comment now that I have driven my Prius for a while in cooler temps. My mileage has taken a hit to the low 70's.

My driving habits haven't changed so the lower numbers are definitely due to the gas engine having to run longer when the car is started cold and it seems the engine runs more in the colder temps.

Temps have been moderate so far so I expect even lower numbers in the dead of winter when the temps are frigid.

 

Don't shift to B, my preference is set to eco mode.

My commute is 30 miles, so I use what I call hyper-heating.

Wear a good coat, gloves, use the seat heating.

Start with the heating system set to max heat, max fan, but shut off.

When you approach a hill or a rise in the road that you know that will require ice, turn the heat to maximum blast.

When you hit the crest, shut the heat off.

When the engine coolant gets to 190F, use the heater as normal.

 

You guys are confusing me all to heck, lol. You do mean "engine" for "ice" right?

 

Agreed!
When talking about winter driving, there is a big difference between ice and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine).

 

Internal Combustion Engine, to separate it from the other engines I suppose.

 

Cargo cult...

 

The Prius has only one engine though, along with two motor/generators. Some people tend to confuse
the terms engine & motor, though.

 

Best solution:

Don't concern yourself with the darn gas mileage! Don't even keep track of it. Just drive the car!
Don't become an "obsessed" Prius owner. Your Prius will do just fine, regardless of how you drive it.
Lots of Prius guys are paranoid about their mpg, yet they probably blow all kinds of money and our wasteful in other aspects of their life.

Anything over 40 mpg is great mileage, for any car. Just drive it.

 

Very good advice. Although despite being cold in London today, my dash showed 94mpg (UK) after a 6 mile drive up to 40mph speed. The engine was already warm though from an earlier drive with an almost full battery. I ended up sharing a pic of the dashboard computer with my friends on social media lol

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Most of my trips are on major roads wherever possible and at max speed. Only at 40 and below in traffic control areas and towns, but then, you do live in a fairly big town!

 

Yes, confusion is common.

Individually, all three of them legitimately fit definitions for both 'engine' and 'motor'.

Collectively, as a single overall system, they still fit the definition of 'engine'. And maybe even 'motor' too, but the later is more debatable.
Engine | Definition of Engine by Merriam-Webster
Motor | Definition of Motor by Merriam-Webster

 

I was going to say you should use the Oxford English Dictionary but its definitions are no clearer.

 

I always think of engine as gas, motor as electric. But watching Poirot, recall someone talking about "motoring".

 

In my area the wind and rain has been really bad....I have a short commute to work and my gas mileage has dropped to 39.8 MPG....It has been very cold and I use heater all the time. I do have a cover for my car so she stays out in the cold....I am sure with warmer weather my mileage will improve.....I hope

 

It will. I promise!

 

It's been very cold in Seattle for the last 3 or 4 weeks. I use the heater all the time set for 70-72 and I boosted my mileage as high as 49.6 overall with just under 800 miles on the ODO. I expect to be at 50 MPG overall within a day or two. Things like braking recharge the battery in addition to regenerative braking which I only use on steep hills. When you brake you can see the blue meter dip below into the charging phase. If you learn to brake evenly and long watching the braking recharge the battery. You can boost your mileage. When you do this enough you learn to break by feel without looking at the braking meter. The other thing is slow and even starts. Once you are up to speed it's not as important to be easy on the gas. Always look at the power band and try to stay in the eco mode range which is in the middle. Repetition relying on the display over time leads to learned driving behavior.

I think I will be able to attain 60 MPG during the summer months without much effort.

 

42 is the answer to all things in life. Put the car in ECO mode and drive with two eggs under your foot. Coast to a stop and do not slam on the brakes. No jack rabbit starts ( jack rabbits taste like crap btw), weaving in and out of traffic, and drive like a 99 year old man who cannot see over the steering wheel. Reserve the middle finger for constant use while driving and push the laser disintegrator button for all idiot drivers (this had a rear function also).

 

I just finished a late night 65 mile trip over highway/city/hills. Ambient air temperature 34-36F. Overall mileage. 56.3 MPG. I am that good.