Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon...) Wagon (only) MPG - Please Post Your Results

Is 34 low? Yes. Is 34 low for 80MPH? No.

Turn the MPG readout to instantaneous and drive for a while at 50, 60, 70 and 80 and watch the difference pushing that air makes. Speed vs MPG is a trade off in any car.

 

Down 1.0 mpg to 41.4 calculated in the first 800 miles since the change from OEM TOYO A20 215/50R17 90W-rated to Continental Pure Contact 225/50R17 98V-rated eco-skins at 42psi Front, 40psi Rear, but expect them to buff out over time...

 

Thanks for the replies. After some research, 6% inflation on mpg seems in line with my limited experience. I'm happy with overall fuel economy. The car was very comfortable at high speed. It was by far my cheapest road trip to CA. Fuel cost was down about 40% over similar trips with an '06 Subaru Outback. Prius V packed much better, too.

 

"Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?"

 

For my 2800 mile trip, it is almost a linear correlation 80 mph vrs 65 mph, 35 mpg vrs 39 mpg results in about 8 hours of drivetime for 8 gallons of gas. At $2.15/gallon, I can afford the fuel (but I can't afford the tickets).

 

I had occasion to go out today on a route where I could safely go 80 for a short stretch and sure enough 34 MPG. I retreated to 71.

 

Would expect it to be more parabolic, in that aero drag, hence required power, and thus, fuel flow is a velocity-cubed phenomenon, while other components of friction drag are more linear, and the ICE may be more efficient at higher revs. Combined, close to velocity-squared, I would bet.

 

I've found that tire pressures make a huge difference on our Prius v (wagon). Especially if you don't have 'LRR' tires on.

We put some Defender T+H on and I wasn't impressed at all with the MPG. Jacked the pressure up to around 43 and it made a world of difference. Surprisingly, the ride isn't half bad at that pressure either. I guess each tire is different...and you have to mess with the pressure to find the 'sweet spot'.

 

Generally, 'airing up' reduces tire sidewall flex and 'squish', which reduces hysteresis losses and rolling resistance.

 

Exactly...however, by 'sweet spot' I mean the balance between air pressure and tolerable ride. And that varies widely depending on the tire.

 

Understood, and very true. The new Conti 98Vs have more rigid sidewalls and firm ride -- so far, independent of operating pressure -- than the OEM TOYO 90Ws, whose sidewalls were very compliant and the ride sort of wishy washy until aired up to around 42psi Front, 40psi Rear. But even aired up, the TOYO sidewalls were extremely vulnerable to inadvertent pothole-strike damage.

 

I am new to this site, new Prius owner. i bought Oct01, 2019:
2012 Prius v Wagon, Arrest-Me-Red, I am 2nd owner, car never wrecked
Recommended tire Pressure live in hilly Central KY, drive in Eco Mode & have driven 3500 miles so far.
I run 87 Oct fuel, but it at he same place, try to make my trips the same path each time especially the regular trips. My worst tank was 40.0 MPG due to 4 hours stuck in traffic. My best 55 mpg (no highway miles on the tank). I am averaging about 49 mg per tank. Considering the terrain here, the fact it is I am more than thrilled with my Prius. I only wish I had done this much sooner. My other vehicle is 2005 Chevy Avalanche (7000lbs, 16.6 mpg regardless). It is a big difference.

 

Impressive. You must have a light foot and low speeds or be a darn good pulse and glider. I Got only 42 on my '12 v. But that included lots of 85-75 MPH miles on gently sloping hills.

 

I don't know about the Pulse & Glide yet, just learning. when i go up hills I watch the gauge and hold my breath. at sixty years old & retired, I am usually in no hurry. What I want/need to know is how to use the TIS software. Also, I am trying to learn where the best or recomended place to buy a new or refurb battery. I don't ant to turn in my old battery, I have a another use for it. Thanks for reply though.

 

I've had my V for nearly 2 and half years. Throughout my time, I've calculated my MPG and throughout most of the year, I get between 45-50+ MPG even when the temp is in the low 20s. If I can help it and if my windshield isn't iced over, I'll just get in, start it up and drive off. The area I live in isn't too hilly, So I'm able to do alot of pulse and glide. Plus working the 2nd shift and 3rd shift, so I have the luxury to take my time getting home and being even more light on the pedal. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is guilty of doing this, but I take the scenic route and go a little slower than normal to achieve the highest MPG all while enjoying my drive. Helps me unwind after a long work day. But even on road trips that I've taken my family on, driving over 1300+ miles, I still managed to achieve 45 MPG.

 

About 10 miles north of Greenwood is a semi ghost town named Money. The murder of Emmett Till in Money was an early atrocity in the civil rights movement. Emmett Till - Wikipedia I take the Money Road when time is no object, and get better gas mileage. Always a sad ride for me, these days the money road hosts a thousand rider bike ride. BIKES, BLUES and BAYOUS - Course Map

 

That is a very interesting piece of history you just shared. I did not know that. The area I work in becomes a ghost town after the summer because all the tourist leave. Cape Cod thrives off of tourism during the summer and most places make so much money during those couple months they can afford to shut down for the winter. So for me, I'm in no rush to get home on home nights and take the long way home, unwind, and enjoy the emptiness of my area of the Cape. Well empty for the most part, still have to watch out for coyotes, skunks, rabbits, deer and other walks of wild life.

For me, winter is my favorite season so I enjoy driving my V when the weather is at its worse. Driving through blizzard and complete white out conditions calms me. Maybe I'm just odd..

 

Drifting through the snow is oddly calming, until the limit is reached and exceeded.

 

This is interesting, thanks for sharing that. If I get down that way again, it will be a stopping point. Thanks

 

For me, there is no limit. Unless they call for a state emergency and put a travel ban. Lol but this, it is oddly calming to me. While other people panic driving through the storms. I feel an extreme amount of calmness overtake me.