So I've had my 05 for about a week now, and I've been averaging between 35-40MPG... which is fine, because my grill isn't blocked and I live in Ohio where it's incredibly cold and there has been a ton of snow lately. I'm planning on blocking my grill some time this week, and buying an EBH when I have the time. I also noticed today that my tires looked a little deflated, so I ordered a digital tire gauge from Amazon. (On a somewhat related note, does anyone know if thishttp://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000IE0YIQ?tag=priuschatcom-20 has enough pressure to inflate my tires to ~40PSI? Seems like a pretty good deal, so if it will fully inflate my tires I'll probably get it) I have been watching a few videos / reading about P&G, so I decided to put some of what I've learned in to practice today after I filled up my tank. Now this *is* only over 6 miles (although it took me about 20 minutes), but it was stop and go traffic through a reasonably populated area, and I *still* averaged 70.7 MPG! I'm totally stoked! Previous high before this (over *any* distance) was 41MPG. Not a bad increase, in my opinion. I can't wait to see what kind of MPG I'll be getting after I inflate my tires, block the grill, and get an EBH!
Well, that's a nice start...but keeping it there for the duration of a tank will be a challenge for you. I've had a few 70mpg + tanks in my 96K miles, but it takes just the right temps and driving conditions for almost 3 full weeks to pull it off. While I like the idea of an inflater, I really like a multi-tasker like this:http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B0024GR0S8?tag=priuschatcom-20 way if your kid leaves the hatch open all night or if you're parking the car for an extended time and find the 12v dead, you can easily give yourself a jump. Also, if you have a second car and the battery dies you can use it on that vehicle since the Prius can't be used to jump another vehicle. The battery makes it portable which is really nice. There's a 450 amp version that I have, but it's only $1 less than the 500amp version.
Yeah, I definitely don't expect to keep that kind of fuel economy over the life of the tank... but it was very nice to see, nonetheless. Especially since my first week as a Prius owner I never saw a number higher than 42MPG (though admittedly, I have a bit of a lead foot). Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. Does that fit under the floor in the back by any chance? I'm trying to keep the cargo area as clear as possible.
haha thanks... It's really hard doing P&G when you're so used to gunning the engine all the time and peeling out from lights ;-) I have to seriously concentrate in order to effectively P&G.
Mine would fit under the floor, I haven't seen the one I posted in person, but it looks like it should fit...that said, I don't keep the floor in my Prius. I bought some heavy duty rubber backed carpet, cut it to the shape of the plastic liner and I leave that in there. It gives me a ton more room for groceries and such...I bet the floor hasn't been in my car for 4-5 years now.
I'll add my congratulations! And I have one of the B&D inflators that you're contemplating. It has served me well for over a year. No problem pumping up tires to ... shall we say, well over 40 PSI.
I get 70 mpg consistently. But then again, my driving situation is unique. I drive downhill EVERYWHERE I go, so its pretty easy to keep the mpg up.
Congrats, pzero ... it's a start. Like evan said ... what REALLY counts is your entire tank's average. Otherwise you can just drive to the top of the Rockies, and coast all the way down. No, you have to count the fuel it took to get to the top. You should be able to get 700 miles per tank ... when the day comes that you average over 70mpg's for the eniter tank. EG: Now, when sumer gets here ... get busy! .
seven hundred miles on a tank? wow. i can barely get 8.5 gallons into the bladder in ours so that'll never happen. but a 70mpg average... modded i assume?
I've parked the electric compressor and reverted to a bicycle floor pump. Its faster than re-stowing the cord of the electric unit, hardly any work for the occasional re-topping of the tires, and takes less space. The electric unit will come out for any flat tire repairs.
congrats Pzero! I remember getting my first high bars driving downtown. It's addictive. And watching my driving and how the fuel mileage changes has TOTALLY changed the way that I drive.
Not really. Just the block heater, higher tire pressure, and grill blocking. I installed an EV switch, but seldom use it. The primary helper I use is 'early driving'. Hitting the roads at 4am & get home by 1:45pm means less traffice, which makes the drive more predictable. The 70's requires pulse & gliding. I only P&G two or three tanks per year ... just for the fun of it. Normally the tank yields ranges in the 500 mile range. .
I ended up getting about 46MPG over the life of that tank... which is my best tank so far! Not quite the 70+ I started out with, but still way better than my last car :-P
