Have you changed driving habits b/c of your Prius?

With the immediate feedback of the mpg my driving has changed. I am slower to accelerate, coast more approaching stop lights, etc

 

We have had our car for 2 months. Both of us have changed a lot. I find it difficult to drive the way that I used to when I see what it does to the mpg. I just try to do all of the things that we have all been told forever. Less rapid acceleration, anticipate slowing traffic ahead, slow down, drive like you have an egg between your foot and the accelerator.
I let the gas hog SUVs have the fast lane and enjoy the scenery.

 

I've only had the car for a few days, so I'd say the jury is still officially out, but I'd also say that I think the answer is going to be both "No" and "Yes".

I never was a crazy driver (I've never had a moving violation.) For me that meant driving defensively, staying around the speed limit, and not rushing up to things (including red lights) only to have to slam on the breaks because the predictably temporarily immovable object, lets see, didn't move.

I never could quite understand why those things were important, because I never had a car that showed me. The Prius is alot of ways the justification for all the ribbing I've taken over the years, because I can now see what driving the way I do actually does. That's the "NO" part.

The "yes" part is going to come when I can stop saying/thinking "I told you so" and actually start to analyze what works and what doesn't. The biggest change is likely going to be how or if I drive on the freeway. I don't like what keeping up with the flow of traffic does to my mpg and I'm seriously thinking about avoiding the freeway because of that (driving at even 60 mph on I95 can be dangerous.)

We'll see. So far I'm averaging about 50 mpg just doing what I do (remember, I have no terrain to speak of to deal with.) But I feel myself getting the itch to have at least 60 mpg tank.....

 

I can only echo alot of what has already been said. I've definitely changed my driving style. I'm more likely to stay at the speed limit instead of 3 to 5 mph over. I look ahead at the traffic lights and try not to stop unless absolutely necessary.

I've become one of those people who drives the limit on the freeway, but I do try and stay in the right lane!

 

I have definately changed my driving habits. I was always a led foot and hated slow drivers, I was always a fast driver, but a safe driver, never had an accident in my 25 years of driving, never been pulled over by the cops, never ever been issued a traffic ticket of any kind.

I am a very good defensive driver and know how to handle my car well. I love driving and love being on the road.

Now with my Prius, I am driving more slowly and like another person said, letting the gas sucking SUV's pass me up. I am watching my acceleration and my speed and my stops and gliding. I am now addicted to getting a higher MPG!!!

I am now more concerned with getting the highest MPG than getting to my destination faster than before.

I would not say I have turned into an old granny driver, but just slower and more aware of how the car is operating and how best I can use a gallon of gas.

 

+1. No more street racing for me.

 

I think many of us are driving differently because of the immediate feedback from the MFD. While the Prius is especially amenable to increased efficiency based on better driving habits, the same techniques would save significant amounts of fuel on any car. Most people seem to go from acceleration to braking without ever coasting. It would be good if there was a MFD showing fuel economy in all cars, so people could see how they are wasting gas.

 

Wrote a long thought out post then PC timed out while trying to post it.

No it hasn't, I changed to a more economical driving style before getting a Prius. I drive the Prius the same way. I still drive at or near the speed limit and accelerate quite hard but lift off early when I need to slow down or stop.

I get 4.3L/100km or about 55 MPG most tanks around town.

 

I got rid of a Trailblazer SS when I bought the Prius. Also got rid of 15 MPG highway on Premium fuel. Now I travel at or near the speed limit on interstates instead of 90-100 mph in the fast lane. Loved having 400hp/400ftlbs under the pedal, but the Prius honestly changed my habits. Now I am watching the fuel consumption instead looking for radar traps. The weather in S FL has been so nice recently that I haven't needed the AC much. Still breaking in the Prius, but averaging 48 mpg. I love the car.

 

Absolutely changed my driving habits. I've slowed down, adopted smarted and more efficient driving techniques, anticipate turns and stops , think ahead and take advantage of the terriain (hills) by making sure I'm Gliding, stealth or warp stealth on most every downhill.

If you had a car that was capable of NOT using gasoline, wouldn't you maximize those times it is doing just that?
We have that car.
Learn to Glide, stealth, and warp stealth at every opportinity.
Just lift that right foot and reapply lightly.

It's far easier than driving a "stick", which many of us were able to learn to. And becomes second nature eventually.