Driving for Economy Tips, Please!!!

I have 5300 miles on my Seaside Pearl. It took 1000 miles or so to manage to get above about 45. The weather is warmer and that has made a difference. The more freeway at high speed (and I echo the keep the speed under 65 sentiment - wind resistance varies as the square of the speed!) I do, the lower the mileage. Accelerating moderately to your target speed and then backing off completely and then reapplying pressure does seem to help the ICE to shut off and go to stealth. Simply backing off doesn't see to trigger the ICE shut down. Take advantage of braking regen by starting to brake early and lightly. That cranks the generator for a longer period leaving more juice in the battery. My '03 Prius is MUCH easier to coax into stealth, but the ICE comes on at a lower speed in the Classic than it does in the new Prius. I also second the tire pressue issue. I am now running 44/42 and seeing better handling and better mileage. Be sure to check the pressure after service as the dealer always seems to lower it to 35/33.

 

The techniques you're describing are working well for me and my 04. Feathering back the accelerator, moderate acceleration to desired speed then backing off (just a little) on the pedal. When approaching the top of a hill, feather back the gas and stealth your way over and all the way down the hill, etc.
Tomorrow I go to have my SC40A recall done. I hope that goes well.
Best wishes to all!
Dan in Indy

 

Another tip for a nice increase in fuel economy I just tried out.......the owners manuel says 35 psi front tires and 33psi rear tires......I checked the maximum allowed pressure posted on the Prius stock tires and they show a maximum pressure of 44 psi......I am runing 44 psi in all four tires and the fuel economy is showing 48.7 mpg and climbing after driving 70 miles......that's up from starting around 45 mpg reading at change of tire
pressure.......the Prius really seems to roll much easier with the 44 psi vs
35 psi front and 33 psi rear shown in the owner's manual.......I think everyone will be very pleased with using the maximum allowable psi shown on their tires........good luck to all.

 

:mrgreen:

 

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