High mileage user needs tips

What kind of tips are you looking for?
I have almost 160K on my 08.

 

Try Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com,
they have heavy duty fuel saving tips for all makes/types of vehicles.

You may want to start here,
100+ Hypermiling / ecodriving tips & tactics for better mpg - EcoModder.com

 

:welcome:

Read as many posts in this forum as you have time to, and you'll pick up some tips from the hypermiliers out there. I gained about 5-10 MPG simply by staying in Eco mode, limiting my A/C use, and not using the cruise control on the interstate---something you may or may not consider worth while if you're on the super slab a lot.
Not using the cruise control seems counter intuitive at first, and if you're in a high-traffic area, you run the risk of being one of "those #%@!! Hybrid drivers." You have to pay attention to traffic MUCH more, since you're allowing your speed to dither while keeping a more constant throttle position on up grades and gliding back down, but I've found that you can do so without being a menace to traffic if you're considerate.
I'm sure others will chime in about the EV button, but I personally find that it's useless unless you're trying to sneak up on your neighbor's cat. (caveat: I only have 1300 miles in type, so I'm still a noob.)
I'm presuming that since you drive 1800 miles a week you already know the basics (tire inflation, dead weight reduction, ect...)

Best of luck!

 

The previous post summarized it pretty well. Also, when it's time to replace the original tires make sure to get low rolling resistance (LRR) tires, which can make a big difference in getting the best mpg. Good luck with your Prius. My wife has a Scion XB--that's another fine car, and I enjoy driving it occasionally too.

 

Based on your location (SEATAC), I'm going to guess that you do a lot of a) hard-core city stop and go, b) long lower speed cruising on suburban boulevards and c) interstate driving, ranging from 75 mph on down.

You may notice that, despite the high EPA "city" mpg, real stop and go mpg is not as good as you hoped. Just remember that you are almost certainly doing a lot better better than most other cars out there, because your gas engine is shut down most of the time you are stopped, and when you start up again, you are actually using some of the energy you recaptured through "regen" braking.

As to the other kinds of driving, I agree with all the stuff stated in the above posts, except:
Given your business, you probably cannot play too many "games" to hypermile, because your time is more valuable than the gas that you save by going slower.

But as long as you don't have giant FedEx-truck-size packages to deliver, I bet you are going to love your Prius. To the extent that anyone "loves" a tool of the trade, I mean.

 

Per State Traffic and Speed Laws and Speed Limit Laws, there are no highways here w/speed limits as high as 75. On the highways around me, it's rare to see any limits above 60 until you end up way in the boonies. And, people drive rather slow here compared to California, esp. So Cal.

 

What kind of packages are you delivering using a Prius that's taking you around 300 miles? Jewelry?!?

Health-wise, you should worry more about lumbar support than your mileage.

 

Posted speed limit vs actual speed limit is different, everyone knows this. One has the potential to win you a certificate of high speed and a fine however...

Stop and go is home for a Prius. You can get great milage. As long as you dont blow the AC full blast, expect to get something in the 40s' at a minimum with stop and go.

Welcome to the club! :welcome:

 

(As someone originally from Nor Cal) People tend to drive slow here in WA state, even in the fast lane in addition to having poor lane discipline. It used to be even worse many years ago. WA state patrol started ticketing people for clogging up the fast lane a few years ago (when I was back in CA).

It was fairly common to have people going below the speed limit in the fast lane in clear weather (no rain) in daylight w/nobody in front of them. They usually won't move over despite many people piling up behind them. To top it off, you sometimes have blockers in other lanes in conjunction w/these fast lane slowpokes.

The majority of time I'm on WA freeways, the posted limit is 60 mph...

In contrast, one time, when driving in So Cal on a stretch of I-5 w/a 55 mph limit, I was doing >70 in the second to slowest lane and people were zooming by me.

 

Happens everywhere. There are routinely people going under the speed limit in the fast lane. This causes people to get really impatient and swerve in and out of traffic to get past them.

The normal speed is about 70mph here. The speed limit was 55mph until about 3 years ago, but the normal speed was always 70mph. Now the speed limit is 65mph, and it is still about 70mph. People pass at about 80mph+, and when they get behind a car going slowly all hell breaks loose.

 

Well you live in the Seattle Washington area and with the 10% Ethanol
gas and winter blend you can expect about 40-45 mpg's in the winter
which is about 8-9 months a year.

With dry roads and warm weather over 60 degrees you can expect mpg's in the high 40's to low 50's mpg.

We have over 38,000 miles with our Prius, also changing original
tires from Yokohama Avid to Michelin Energy Saver Tires gave us at least 2-3 mpg, all tires are inflated to 44 psi max pressure. Oil is the best you can buy, Mobil One 0 w 20, with only 4 quarts in the crankcase so not to over fill.

al

 

Yes, but at least people in CA generally keep right if they're slow and don't hog up the fast lane. They also have the courtesy to move over to the right when people are piling up behind them.

Fast lane slowpokes are rare in CA vs. common in WA. Some of those WA slowpokes refuse to move over.

 

Inflate your tires to max PSI up front and max psi - 2 in the rear tires. This can improve mileage a fair bit. Don't purposely run on "all electric" mode if you can avoid it. Draining the electric battery gives great mileage (100% electric = 0% gas) BUT the car will replace that lost energy using gasoline. Since this is subject to energy conversion losses, you'll get worse gas mileage (overall) if you go 100% electric. Counter intuitive, isn't it? (you'll see the battery ranges from 2 bars to 8 bars. The car's softward likes to keep the battery at 6 bars).

Keep your freeway speeds modest (if you can live with driving the speed limit, you will be a happy camper) on the highway, and try to coast as much as possible in city driving when coming to a red light or stop sign (no sense in speeding up to stop).

 

I'd throw in a nice 1500 watt inverter (mounted in the rear lower cargo) - then you can run a microwave / toaster over (less stops for food) Also you get great power for your laptop etc...

 

There's a tip in the Owners Manual, goes something like: "When you've accelerated up to speed, lift your foot off the gas pedal, then gently re-apply". I gather it get's you into electric-only mode a little easier. Caveat: it will likely eat up the charge faster.

As far as "modes", I'm beginning to suspect that "normal" mode, which you can get back to by pushing either Power or Eco mode button a second time, is not going to impact mileage, as long as you maintain a light touch. I'm finding Eco mode just a tad frustrating, too sluggish.

Anyway, that with my vast experience, maybe 100 km's total behind the wheel, LOL. But I've been driving an HCHII for about 5 years previously.

 

Speed kills fuel mileage in these cars so try to drive 55 mph or less.
I have found my best fuel mileage is around the 45 mph range.
Also keep the weight down that your hauling around if you can.
Remember drive her like you have an egg under the throttle.

Here is an article that has some points on how to maximise the fuel mileage in the third generation Prius http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25579