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MPG Update.....my new 2020 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Billy56, May 4, 2020.

  1. Billy56

    Billy56 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2019
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    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    As I mentioned in an earlier thread, I have a new "Sea Glass" color L Eco model. Am driving it daily, for many miles. Already have 42,000 on it after only 5 months! Mostly city, with some freeway cruises mixed in.

    I keep extremely detailed mpg records. For this post, I will state the indicated mpg.....I have accurately calculated the ACTUAL mpg to be 1.82 mpg less....based on GPS, ScanGauge, fuel receipts. Have been getting 720 miles per tank. The tank is too small, can never seem to put more than 9.4 gallons in it. Soon I am going to do my favorite test.....to see what the ACTUAL usable capacity is. Will bring small gas can with me, then run it out till I sense engine missing....then quickly turn it off with power button. I suspect that when RANGE says zero, there is still a lot of miles remaining.

    Here in the Seattle area, air temps are slowly going up, which greatly helps my numbers. I am a hypermiler since 1979, and a SERIOUS hypermiler since 2003.

    Currently I average 83.22 mpg. Am hoping to raise it to 86 when much warmer temps arrive.
    1) I NEVER use the A/C
    2) Change oil every 6500 miles using Mobil 1 0W-16
    3) Spend a LOT of time coasting in Neutral
    4) Try to stay OFF the brake pedal....seldom use the brakes
    5) Keep 51 lbs of tire pressure
    6) Always use ECO mode
    7) Look WAY ahead to the next stop light
    8) Generally drive slow, but not too slow to be annoying to others
    9) City drive speed limit or 2 mph less. Freeway drive 57 when max is 60.
    10) Am constantly thinking "MOMENTUM DRIVING" as my motto.
    Am having lots of fun....just wish the fuel tank was 5 gallons larger. After 42,000 the brake pads show almost no wear. Tires still are 7/32 tread. Maybe at 100,000 I will switch from the OEM Bridgestone Ecopia to Michelin Energy Saver. I seldom use B shift mode....only on a very steep downhill to help save the brakes.
     
    #1 Billy56, May 4, 2020
    Tande and krmcg like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that pretty sweet (y)
     
    #2 bisco, May 4, 2020
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wouldn't switch tires model, those bridgestone's are 'special'.

    when the range hits zero, you still have the reserve/safety left. see your o/m.
     
    #3 bisco, May 4, 2020
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    when i used gas, i used to get around 70 mpg using your techniques. shows how much improved the L eco is
     
    #4 bisco, May 4, 2020
    Billy56 likes this.
  5. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Four
    Renge = 0 will leave at least a full gallon of useable gas left in the tank. YMMV!
    I have added 11+ gallons of gas several times stopping at the first click.
     
    #5 krmcg, May 4, 2020
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  6. The Professor

    The Professor Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Excel
    Mine read 0 once a year and a half ago. Happened to be New Years Day, and the next three places where I could fill up were all closed. I travelled just over 50 miles after it went to 0.
     
    #6 The Professor, May 5, 2020
  7. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I have gone 50 miles past "0" on my trip computer. When I filled it up it was right around 9.9 gallons. I can't remember but I still had miles if I needed them.
     
    #7 TinyTim, May 5, 2020
  8. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    42k miles in 5 months of ownership? You drive for Uber or Lyft?

    Some pointers:

    2. The OCI is 10k miles or 1 year. Why do you change it so early?
    3. Don't coast in neutral. You lose out on regenerative braking. Learn to pulse and glide.
    4. Braking actually increases regenerative braking. The pads and rotors will last the life of the car.
    5. 51lbs is quite high for pressure. If you hit a pothole, you can blow out your tires. Not good if you have low profiles. Low 40s/OEM spec is what most people run.
     
    #8 CooCooCaChoo, May 6, 2020
  9. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I bet that other motorists get really annoyed with you. I try to do these things as well but when you are faced with getting rammed, Eco driving goes by the wayside.
     
    #9 George W, May 6, 2020
    krmcg likes this.
  10. EChua5

    EChua5 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2019
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Double the mpg of my 2004 model. Amazing.
     
    #10 EChua5, May 6, 2020
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Good to use AC periodically. I know where you're coming from, but say at least once a month. And turn it off a mile or two from destination, set fan speed manually, let it run to exhaust accumulated moisture. It's good to run it, circulate oil in the system, verify it's working ok, etcetera.

    In winter, if you set the vent mode to heat/defog, it may be using stealth AC, even though the button's not lit. That's the way my 3rd gen was anyway: you could see compressor running with ScanGuage. Sometimes.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, May 6, 2020
  12. TinyTim

    TinyTim Active Member

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    I was going to call BS on his post earlier but bit my tongue.
     
    #12 TinyTim, May 8, 2020
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