who is averaging 50 MPG true?

Let's try this.

I'm not getting 50mpg. Although my dash readout says I am. Here is my data so far (attachment). Is there some kind of calibration that can be done to the dash readout? While the mpg is okay, I'd at least like an accurate reading without having to calc it out every time. Basically, I'd like to trust the meter. Any suggestions? tks

 

With just over 1000 miles on the car, I went from 46.5 to 43.5 to 34.5. Then I improved to 43.5 again. So searching for something to improve milage, I bought a bottle of Star brite Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. It says it is supposed to improve milage with E10 gas which is what we get in NY all year.

So yesterday, I filled up and put some in the tank. Did a 45 mile trip and right away and wow, 54.4mpg. Did I find the cure? Nope!!! After the return trip, mpg was down to 50.2. Made one small trip this morning and I am down to 48.6. Looks like one 1000 foot hill can bring the mpg down .2 or .3 but it takes miles of downhill to make it back.

All in all very disappointing.

 

about 45mpg, only drive a 5 mile trip to train station (2 1/2 each way) so im assuming im wasting alot gas warming up, havnt blocked anything, havnt messed with tire pressure.

 

The error you are seeing appears typical. There are several other threads about it here, and the error seems to depend on manufacturing date, with the earlier units being worse.

So far, there is no fix or calibration.

 

There's a pretty extensive thread on this topic that talks about why the differences. Basically, your data is similar to mine, that is, I get about a 2-4 mpg difference between the readout, and what I calculate based on the amount of gas I put into the tank. It was noted on this other thread that many cars (not just Prius) have this same problem - ie, the readout is higher than what's calculated. With that said, there are errors in both ways of determining mpg's. One should not assume that the calculated mpg is 100% accurate, either.

 

Alfon, I'm sorry you are disappointed in your mileage. As others pointed out, there are many factors that contribute to mpg and suggestions abound to maximize your mpg. Some of us are achieving 50mpg+ so that makes it real and not a marketing ploy. I hit 57mpg (calc'd) in the summer. Right now, I'm under 50 with temps of 21F and below, numeous short trips, and winter gas. Every car I've owned has had an mpg drop in the winter, so that it happens to the Prius is no surprise. Finally, if you look at the sticker, it does say YMMV and gives a range - a low of 40 on the highway and 43 city.

 

i live in orange county/los angeles and im averaging 48mpg with the stock 15" wheels, and 44mpg with heavier 18" wheels. i drive fast, and often push the car pretty hard because i personally like having fun in the thing.

the one "kind-of-hypermiling" technique I use is kind of a bastardized pulse and glide: I accelerate keeping it almost always in the "optimal accel" area....and instead of a letting off the gas, then into a traditional glide, i'll let off the gas, and rev up to whatever i can while still keeping mpg meter (the one opposide the fuel gauge) above the 50mpg marker (and usually at the full 100mpg marker). most of the time, that means just past the middle line on the HSI. this pic below is a traditional pulse and glide. this will keep you at pace or faster than traffic, without the sensation of slowdown/speedup/slowdown. i hate to admit it but i speed, a lot.

is an average of 51 possible? of course, if i tried hard, probably....but not practically speaking for where i live.

 

I drive 64 miles a day round trip to work everyday and I have been avg. just slightly over 50mpg and I am thrilled about. A good friend of mine purchased one two months before I got mine and she also is getting about the same as me and she drives further than I do.

 

I haven't reset the MFD in about 15,000 miles and it's showing 51.7 mpg. A few spot checks at the pump shows that's accurate to a few percent. Many of those miles were in Portland, OR this last fall. The car is unmodified, factory recommended tire pressures, two drivers. I'm real happy with that.

 

I just traveled from NY to DC:

First half of the trip, power mode: 125 miles, 40.8 mpg, avg. 59 mph
Second half of the trip, normal mode: 118 miles, 48.1 mpg, avg. 56 mph

 

I just got my car in August, and it averaged 50 - 51 MPG on the first few tanks her in Utah (I live in the foothills), but since winter set in is only averaging 43 - 45. Would this be because I am now running the heater all the time?

 

That's part, but not all of it, the engine has to run more often and longer just to keep itself warm as well as keeping you warm. Even if you don't run the heater at all, you won't get summer mileage. Pre-heating the engine and grill blocking helps.

 

30 miles per day, mostly freeway, and live on top of a Mesa, and work at sea level. Mileage consistently 44-45 MPG. That held true when drining to LA on freeway and up/down the mountains.

Most interestingly, on my commute routes, the MPG starts out at 40 with a full tank and gradually rises to usual 45 as the tank epties. Guess the weight of the fuel makes that much difference or a strange computation method.

First couple of tanks I paid too much attention to fuel economy: pulsing, gliding, env mode at top of meas. That got me clear up to 46 MPG!

We had a cold spell last week, temps clear down into the lower 60s ! MPG same; no grill blocking. ;-)

 

Not me. Certainly not now, with temps in the 20's.
I think the EPA tests were all done in Southern California in the Spring????

 

I see people recording 40 or so MPG driving in speeds even lower than mine... keep in mind that those 40 MID is actually more like 36-37 real... my past 02 civic (not hybrid) would do 36-37 real MPG any time during the winter in the hwy... That car was gone 2 years ago... 200K miles with just re4gular maintenance... he served me well...

 

I got my Gen III in November '09. Mounted Hankook winter tires. Averaging 44.4 mpg (pump) over 2631 mls, mostly highway driving at posted speed limits, typically 70 mph. The MFD shows 5...10% better mpg between fillings.

 

My MPG has never been as the EPA says. I got 41.9 MPG since Aug 3 when I bought the car this year. I know the car is supposed to improve over the first year you buy it, but im afraid here in socal with stop and go drivng Ill never hit 50 mpg.

I have my tires inflated to the door specified amount and that seemed to help.

When you people talk about calcuated do you mean what the car says you are getting or what you actually get when you do the math on paper and pencil?

What is the grill mod everyone is talking about and how does it help?

Any tips for getting better MPG here in sunny socal would be appreciated.

 

to be honest i highly doubt your true mpg is over 50, it will be more like 48 or 49. The computer is off a little and it seems to always be off in the better direction.


My car has pretty much said i get 55.3 over the last 12,000 miles. But the true number done by me and fuely is 52.2.

 

My first 5 minutes are horrible. 27 to 38 mpg. The next 5 minutes are decent but not great at about 42 mpg. After that, the car consistently gets between 50 to 60 mpg here in the Washington DC area. Closer to 60 than to 50. I assume the EPA mileage is measured with a warm engine so I would say I am getting what I expect and what I consider 50 or better mpg.

My actual mileage is 46 to 48. But I eat a hamburger in the car sometimes and I warm up the car while I set the GPS, plug in the iPhone etc. So while I don't deliberately sit there to warm up the car, I do start the car and let it warm up while I load. I'm not going to sacrifice my lifestyle and shiver for the sake of a number on the dash. Now if I turn off the auto air conditioning/heating, the mpg improves.

Actual mpg should be adjusted down because of inaccuracys - as other had said - but I did not check for myself.

So considering that the car gets the mileage when warm (even if you subtract 2 mpg), I feel nobody cheated me. You don't really expect a car to drive you 3 miles and get over 50 mpg on these 3 miles, do you?