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Prius 2012 mpg

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by kalome, May 1, 2012.

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  1. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I had a 2011 Prius package 2 for almost a year and traded it in and paid the difference for a 2012 Prius package 3.
    The reason for this was for a couple reasons, one was I noticed the standard features on the 2012 were a lot more compared to 2011 and felt short changed since I really wanted bluetooth to be standard on package 2 (the aftermarket one I got sucks) and I really wanted a USB port.
    Also I regretting the color I got and wanted black.
    So I decided to get a package 3 2012 to get the added GPS, back camera and extra smart key doors in addition to the built in bluetooth and USB port.

    I noticed the MPG i am getting compared to my 2011 is a little lower on average after filling up 3 or 4 times.
    I would average around 44-45.5 pretty consistently with my 2011. I am averaging now 43.7 mpg with my second fill up being my worst ever mpg at 42.6.
    This tank I am probably getting around 43.5 so far with 300 miles.

    Is there anyone out there that traded a Gen III Prius to Gen III 2012?
    If so, how is your MPG?
     
    #1 kalome, May 1, 2012
  2. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I forgot to mention.
    Driving conditions have remained the same. My day to day driving commutes haven't changed from before.
     
    #2 kalome, May 1, 2012
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    tires may be different. how about a/c use?
     
    #3 bisco, May 1, 2012
  4. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    My first Prius is my 2012 HB3 and I live in a lot colder climate ... Long Island. I have never gotten that low a mileage in my car and I've owned it since the beginning of Feb. As a matter of fact I filled up today and got 53.8 (measured) while averaging 39 mph for the tank. It was still getting cold here in the mornings lately (35*), so I put my lower grill blocking back on. I would think you have an advantage if you don't crank up the A/C.
     
    #4 jsfabb, May 1, 2012
  5. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I want correct myself first. I'm only getting around 42.9 mpg so far not 43.5 which brings my average since I got the car down to 43.3.

    Tires are different then the 2011.
    I live in Arizona so you have to use the AC constantly from late April to beginning of Oct. I personally use my air from March through the first part of November.
    I get a little better mpg in the summer months using the AC then December through February weather....at least I was last year with my 2011.
     
    #5 kalome, May 1, 2012
  6. littlered2

    littlered2 New Member

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    houston tx warmer climate of course. 2011 prius III odo 3,500. city and highway 53.9- 54.2. air conditioning light useage. hope to get better down the line break in period. so far so good. good luck people. first prius love it.
     
    #6 littlered2, May 1, 2012
  7. chota

    chota Junior Member

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    I just purchased a 2012 Prius III and got 53.2 on my first tank of gas. In Denver so didn't use A/C or heat much, perfect weather here this year. Does the 2012 show you the Avg mpg in the trip settings? I don't seem to have it on mine??
     
    #7 chota, May 1, 2012
  8. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    What I do is set my Trip A for my tank and Trip B for any trips. I use Trip B for basically any trip I take, just to compare what I get for different types of trips (local/highway).

    Both Trip settings have avg mpg, which is listed as CONS. (Consumption). They also have AVG. for average mph over that trip.

    If you didn't yet, I would say is join fuelly, so you can have it on a computer and/or smart phone. It will keep track of your real mileage, which varies from your CONS..

    For each tankful, I like to track this info in the notes section of fuelly:

    - what the CONS says you got
    - % difference from real mileage
    - average mph

    My CONS. averages about 6.7% higher than actual mileage.
     
    #8 jsfabb, May 1, 2012
  9. kalome

    kalome Member

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    Hmm..interesting. Must be me. Maybe I'm driving a little bit more aggressively lately.

    I have logged both 2011 & 2012 on a spreadsheet at home for each tank.
    I just started using Fuelly a few tanks ago and also still log it on an excel file.

    If this is your first Prius, you will notice the dash reading will be off. Mine is off anywhere from 2.9-3.1 more mpg consistently.
    On the 2011 it was off by 2.2-2.8 more mpg consistently.
     
    #9 kalome, May 1, 2012
  10. kalome

    kalome Member

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    Yeah, I believe in a colder climate the mpg will be not as good.
    I drive with the power mode always on and I am an aggressive driver. Also a big percentage (75-90%) of my driving is freeway going 75-82 mph. if traffic isn't bad.
    But......I was still getting between 44-46. Mostly in the 44.5-45 mpg range.
    When I first got my Prius in 11, I did not use power mode and used regular mode for the first few tanks and was getting 46-47.5 mph.
     
    #10 kalome, May 1, 2012
  11. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Tires and break in
     
    #11 F8L, May 1, 2012
  12. kalome

    kalome Member

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    I think break in period is 600 miles and I have close to 2000.

    Tires were different on the 2011.
     
    #12 kalome, May 1, 2012
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how is the oil level?
     
    #13 bisco, May 1, 2012
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I had a longer post written out and when I walked into the doctor's office it went away. :)

    The tires are on your 2011 were different and very likely well worn compared to the new tires on your 2012. Tire wear can make a significant difference in fuel economy. Tire model can as well.

    Engine and drivetrain breakin can take thousands of miles before "things get loose" so you very well could see a small gain somewhere in the next 5000 miles. Between the car and tires breaking in you may see a small gain so I would reassess the comparison after 8,000 miles or so.

    Also, keep in mind that every car is different regardless if the model is the same or not. I spent quite a bit of time at Dino events where multiple cars of the same year, make and model would dyno back to back and the difference could be as high as 12-15rwhp. Same goes for 1/4mile times and ET. Some cars are more efficient and some make more HP. If you are within 2mpg of your old car I would say it's close enough. :)
     
    #14 F8L, May 1, 2012
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  15. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yep on both of the above. OP should also read Tire Tech Information - Tire Rolling Resistance Part 3: Changes to Expect When Switching from Worn-Out to New Tires.
     
    #15 cwerdna, May 1, 2012
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  16. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    Short trips kill average MPG.
     
    #16 mad-dog-one, May 1, 2012
  17. kalome

    kalome Member

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    Thanks for the info and thanks to cwerdna for the tire tech info link.
    I skimmed through it but didn't read all of it yet.
    End of the article stated you can find almost a 3 mpg difference for the same exact tires after changing.

    "It also means that a Toyota Prius appearing to get 50.0 mpg just before replacing its worn-out tires with new tires of the same brand, type and size, might be reduced to registering just 47.25 mpg afterwards, even if all of the driving conditions were identical."
     
    #17 kalome, May 1, 2012
  18. 914

    914 Junior Member

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    I had 2010 III that got48- 50+ mpg always..Got a 2012 Five and cannot get over 42.6 mpg..took it to the dealer tech cannot find anything wrong,they say the car needs a break in period.That's hard to believe the 2010 got great mileage right off the start.I drive the 2012 just like the 2010 I had..
     
    #18 914, May 1, 2012
  19. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I know the answer.... :D
     
    #19 F8L, May 1, 2012
  20. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    See above comments from me (and the article) on break in.

    Your Five also has 17" wheels which hurts mileage slightly. Your III (Three now) had 15". Has your commute changed? Check your tire pressure as well.
     
    #20 cwerdna, May 2, 2012
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