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I Lowered my tire pressure and haven't noticed any mpg changes...

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by ajbdiaz, Aug 19, 2010.

  1. ajbdiaz

    ajbdiaz youtube.com/wyldeslash2003

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    I went down to 35/33 from 44/42 and I haven't noticed any changes in my mpg... Its still 49.2mpg. I'm glad it worked out because the ride isn't as noisy anymore.

    Has anyone had the same experience? Do you still use the higher tire pressures?
     
    #1 ajbdiaz, Aug 19, 2010
  2. Paul58

    Paul58 Mileage Miser

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    I just increased mine today, I went to 40 front 36 rear. I was surprised to see they were at 31/29 front and 29/27 rear! I'm still getting 58.5 mpg (according to the dash) so I hope it goes up, but if it stays the same no big deal, I'm happy with that mileage!
     
    #2 Paul58, Aug 19, 2010
  3. sktn77a

    sktn77a Member

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    How many miles did you check your mileage over? If you run them for 200-500 miles at this pressure, I think you'll see a difference.
     
    #3 sktn77a, Aug 19, 2010
  4. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    If you are looking at the lifetime average you may never see a difference depending on the amount of history. Please report the next few tanks' FE compared to the lifetime.
     
    #4 JimN, Aug 19, 2010
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i also tried upping the pressure with no visible results. i am getting 66 on the mfd on this tank at 300 miles so far with original tyres and mfg's recommended pressure settings. and you're right, it is a quieter ride.:)
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 19, 2010
  6. silentak1

    silentak1 Since 2005

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    Weird, me too. Went from 40 all around down to 34 as the dealer adjusted it down and my mpg actually went up .2mpg over 500 miles. Doesn't make a lot of sense, really.
     
    #6 silentak1, Aug 19, 2010
  7. ajbdiaz

    ajbdiaz youtube.com/wyldeslash2003

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    yeah, its been over a few tanks... i actually dropped it before a trip to Disneyland. mpg stayed the same. after another trip to Disneyland, it stayed the same, again. so taking that into account, id say its been 600 miles that ive had it at the 35/33 psi.
     
    #7 ajbdiaz, Aug 19, 2010
  8. A Prime Factor

    A Prime Factor Formerly "I want my PHEV"

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    I think the amount of difference the tire pressure makes depends a lot on your driving style. Do you pulse and glide much? Higher pressure should allow you to glide farther. I wasn't a believer in increased tire pressure until I started changing a lot of other things about my driving.
     
    #8 A Prime Factor, Aug 19, 2010
  9. ajbdiaz

    ajbdiaz youtube.com/wyldeslash2003

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    I definitely pulse and glide... i love it when theres no traffic around me so i can just glide for as long as i want, but so far it hasn't affected my mpg.
     
    #9 ajbdiaz, Aug 20, 2010
  10. djasonw

    djasonw Active Member

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    I too lowered my pressure to a tad above the suggested pressures. I'm riding with 36 front and 34 rear. My mileage is not near what others are getting but I'm quite pleased with 48.5. I have two 12 packs of Coke Zero in the back seat so when I take those in the house I expect the mileage to go up even more :)
     
    #10 djasonw, Aug 20, 2010
  11. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    It's hard to control for the effects of variation in outside temperatures and traffic flow. Higher tire pressure makes it easier to get higher MPGs because the sidewalls flex less and waste less energy as heat. Might as well have that working in your favor, assuming that you can tolerate the harder ride.
     
    #11 richard schumacher, Aug 20, 2010
  12. TommyV72

    TommyV72 New Member

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    I think that kind of tyre makes a big difference too. For example Michelin's and some Bridgestone's roll easier on the road, opposed to some cheaper tyres, also Goodyear's. Although GY tyres are typically harder than most so maybe your mileage would increase with those.
     
    #12 TommyV72, Aug 20, 2010
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