New to Prius: Can't achieve above 45 MPG

When I'm cruising, I tried to keep my HSI looking like this. When I'm accelerating, the bar moves a little more to the right but I try to keep it out of the "power" region.

 

Sounds like you're getting some good advise, but I understand your concern. My recent new Prius experience was completely the opposite. Around my third tank I traveled 350 freeway miles at 75mph and averaged 51.3mpg. A few weeks later the same trip, same speed, but A/C on the whole trip and got 47.4, my lowest mpg to date. I was beginning to think excellent mileage was effortless.

 

There's only one universal variable between Priui and the mileage they get. That's the driver. You need to learn how to drive it, and that doesn't mean "coasting behind a semi at 20". Its expected that the mileage a Prius gets could vary by 10MPG or more depending on the driver. No other car can say that. The tools one needs to figure out how to drive for max MPG are all right there in the on-board systems. If you're desperate to tweak something, tires is a place to start. OEM tires suck in every possible way.

 

Jaybird,
did you see the sticky about MPG above?
Please fill it out, report it back and maybe we can help you.
There was some good work put in that sticky:
Fuel economy complaints/queries? Please copy, paste & answer these questions, esp. if you're new | PriusChat

 

Jaybird, I think you know diesels are more efficient at highway speeds than hybrids. I was real close to buying the Passat TDI and likely would have if most of my driving was highway miles, but my driving is about 50/50 mix of city and highway. I had a 2010 Prius IV prior to my current v and I was getting between 50 and 54 regularly, and while the v is only returning 41-45 consistently, I'm happy with it because it's what I expected. Funny what a couple hundred lbs, slightly less aero, and different gearing will do to your mpg. You also stated your BMW got 38 mpg over 45 mph, but what was your overall mpg? It wasn't 38 was it?

 

Ignoring the thread does not turn off alerts to a reply to my earlier posting. Still, you've helped decipher the Consumer Reports puzzle. The August 2013 issue of Consumer Reports:

source: pp. 50.

More than a few of us have wondered how Consumer Reports gets such low urban mileage. They can not even reach EPA numbers and complain bitterly that the EPA does not justify their track nonsense:


In contrast, every independent mileage database shows significantly better Prius MPG:


If you want to achieve EPA mileage, you need to start by reading the EPA test protocol . . . and replicate it.
Detailed Test Information




But following the EPA driving protocol requires self-discipline and introspection:

• accurate record of your driving profile - use a Garmin nuvi or GPS mouse to record your driving profile. This provides engineering metrics.
• self-discipline to drive EPA style - bad-habits with former rides do not work.

Your contribution is:

This does not work with the Prius to achieve EPA mileage:

1. Driving outside of the EPA test protocol returns different mileage.
2. Driving the Prius like a legacy "gas and diesel engines" car achieves Consumer Reports mileage.

Poor Prius MPG reports do not really matter:


Mastering Prius driving takes a curious mind willing to experiment, to learn how the car actually works. Over 2/3ds of all Prius owners achieve better than 44 MPG and some can do significantly better.

One last observation from the original GreenHybrid.com days. It turns out that Prius MPG performance is not so much a function of driving style as: routes and climate. One can mitigate some of the effects by driving style but it isn't worth it.

Given your driving style, a plug-in Prius, Ford, or Volt might be a better match. Electric drive does a good job of dealing with lead-in-foot driving.

Bob Wilson

 

Add another 5-7 lb and you'll be good to go.

 

Glad the problem is solved. Did you see my earlier message saying I set my at 40 psi? Check the max psi for the tires and then set it 10% lower.

 

1: The OEM tires are not worth saving so who cares if they wear out quicker?
2: I've not been able to demonstrate any difference in the tire footprint with higher pressure. Low profile tires don't seem to be very sensitive in this regard. But at $4 per gallon, you just need to figure your savings with 3-4 more MPG over the life of the tire.

 

Excellent! Glad to hear you fond the missing link and nothing's wrong with the car.

I've found my Prius Plug-in very sensitive to tire pressure, both for steering balance and fuel economy. While F35 R33 is recommended, the stock Bridgestone Ecopia EP20 feel best at F39 R33.

 

Bob knows what he's talking about ... you're lucky to get the mpg's that you get considering how fast you drive. The e p.a doesn't base their results driving 80 mph. Driving that fast is not hyper mileing

I see you recently checked your tire pressures ... that's what I was just going to suggest. If you're happy now - just think how happy you'll be once your Prius is broken in. ... give it a few thousand miles.

.

 

I live in the hills and only avg 40mpg, sadly. Hills make such a huge difference.

SCH-I605 ? 4

 

Feather the gas.. i get 53mpg in a 2013/2 @70-75mph... just have to use momentum to your advantage

 

I came from a BMW(540 & 545) as well & while I loved the extra power, comfort & luxury I do not miss it at all as the prius more than makes up for it in the fuel savings. I'm glad u got your low mpg problem resolved as I was going to say give it some time as a BMW diesel & prius must have different techniques in hypermiling but it sounds like u indeed have some skills after hearing u getting 60 mpg w/ the proper inflation. For me inflating to 38-40 psi or slightly more gets better even tire wear than being 36 psi or under in which the tire seems to sag under the weight of the car somewhat. Oh btw, I just came back from a trip slightly over 1200 miles to Vegas-Zion National Park-Bryce Cyn. & back w/ a full load of family & luggage averaging 75-80 miles w/ AC on 85-90% of the time & I averaged 50.3 Indicated & 48.2 Calculated miles(actual) on the whole trip. & I was comfortable throughout most of the trip, other than fatigue of the long trip. There is no way any BMW could have done that . Drive on, you'll learn to love & appreciate the prius more as time & miles pile up .