New car , first Toyota, first hybrid - help!

I was asking same question (poor mpg) two months ago when I first got my prius, now my last tank was 47 mpg (computer calc was 49.5), so dont worry, it takes time but will get better, I have almost 3000 miles on car and I am still trying to get used to it.

 

Don't drive in EV, and don't drive in Power. Try setting it to ECO and leaving it there. You can set it to normal (not eco, power or ev), but if you're getting used to the car and the accelerator, I'd suggest eco. I drive short distances, too, and often I turn off climate control, depending on if the temperature is tolerable. If you're not going to change the temperature much, why not suffer just a little bit more? And definitely check your tire pressure. I have mine at 38 rear/40 front.

Don't use B (on the shifter), leave DRLs on (but not headlights, unless it's dark, of course), and don't have a lead foot. Anticipate the need to slow down or stop, and try not to use the brakes excessively. You should get mileage in the 40s for sure. Low 50s as estimated by the car (not calculating miles/gal based on fuel purchases) is attainable without much effort.

 

Agreed with everything but not using B
it is okay to use B if you are going down the hill for few miles, otherwise do not use B

 

What's a parking brake I only use mine if I'm parked on a steep hill say 3% grade. I've probably done that 3 or 4 times in 18 months.

 

DVD?

 

I missed the movie and pop corn!

 

There was a recent thread on use of parking brake. After reading it, I decided to use my brake more. I just never had the habit, as my parents didn't use it much either. I see how using the brake is a good idea, just a hard habit to change.

 

I always use parking brake, always.

 

Just drive it and let the computer do the thinking, that's what is't for.......

 

I guess if the OP's specific or major concern is whether they should feel they have a problem yet, I'd just say it's too early yet to know.

All the usual advice applies. I'd check the tire pressure for sure.

Then perhaps I'd purposely choose a trip that put me on the freeway for a good stretch. A longer freeway drive should result in a higher charged battery. 3/4th's seems to be where mine strives to be, especially after the recall software update. If I drive a stretch on battery, or at slow speeds I can get the battery charge to drop to 1/2 or lower, but generally with just "regular" driving my Prius stays most of the time at 3/4th's charge.

It's NOT necessary, or perhaps even possible to be an expert or know everything about how to maximize a Prius/Hybrid with just two weeks of ownership.

Long term I would expect the battery to strive to be at about 3/4ths charge, and I would also expect a higher over all MPG. But just read some of the advice, and give it a little more time.

I'm NOT going to say you don't have a problem, because The Prius should deliver higher MPG's. But I am going to say, with some short drives, and being only two weeks in...it's far too early to conclude you have a problem.

I'd try a full tank of gas, reset your A trip computer, and pick a road trip that you know is going to give you some longer highway stretches. Your battery should charge up, and you should get higher MPG's than you have reported thus far.

But your best evaluation, is going to come with just some more time. Expect improvement, and if it doesn't improve, over say a month or more? Then perhaps you have a problem and might need to bring it up with your dealership.

For best MPG, I'd leave it in "normal" mode....or ECO...

I personally only use "Power" when I want to merge aggressively on the freeway...and I seldom, seldom use EV at all.

 

Looks like I need to dig a little deeper. I have stacks of books and booklets and papers and stuff, but I don't remember seeing a DVD. I'm not even sure I have a DVD player, but if I'm supposed to have a DVD, I want it!

 

My dealership is pretty old, the instructions came on a wax cylinder.

 

Mine is a bit more modern... it was a wire recorder.

 

Mine is pretty modern after a recent remodel, my manual came as a hologram.

 

Sweet!

 

Drive it like any other car, dont do it any favors, I got 47mpg on mine and I drove 90 miles a day. in other words just drive it. You can alwasy rset the odom and it will recalculate the mpg

 

I guess the hand-illustrated 'Quick Start Guide' on tanned animal hide must be on backorder. Each monk can produce only one per day.