i live in suburban NY, from my house to work would start out 1.5 miles at 30. 2 miles at 40, .5 miles at 45, then 10 at 65, 5 at 55, another 5 at 65, 10 at 55, and 3 miles at 30 in the city. how would the prius handle a commute like this up and back 5 days a week. both in the classic and the new. still clinging to the hope that someday i'll own a version of this car.
I've noticed that terrain may be as much as a factor as speed and ambient temperature when it comes to mileage. We live in a hilly section of the western Philadelphia area rubarbs (rural suburbs). I've notice that the drive to the office yields 53.5 mpg, while the ride home barely nudges 50 mpg. Suffice to say, the mileage is better than a Hummer and not as good walking.
You're commute is similar to mine. I have 7000 miles on mine with an average mileage of 50.55 MPG. I have taken several Interstate trips totalling about 2000 miles that average around 44 MPG so on my commute I get somewhere near 53. My old truck got 15 so I'm pretty proud of the improvement but still embarassed that my 2 1/2 month old car has 7000 miles on it already.
How hilly/flat? And, as mentioned, the weather is a significant variable. Assuming a few things: 72 degrees/flat terrain/ no wind/67% humidity/1005ft elev./350lb load/summer gas Using Wayne Brown's THSII Palm Simulator I get the following mpgs... 1.5 miles at 30mph=91.6mpg (will be lower since that is the first part of day and engine warming up) 2 miles at 40=82.3mpg 5 miles at 45=70.3mpg 10 at 65=54.6mpg 5 at 55=62.7mpg 5 at 65=54.6 10 at 55=62.7 3 at 30=91.6 Those numbers don't take into account stops and starts, cold start up, etc. In reality, with careful driving and no AC use you should see mid-50s under those conditions.
it just dawned on me that the best way to test it, is to find a dealer with a trac for a week. maybe it will convince my father too. hey miracles are known to happen. there are some pretty good hills on my drive, one notable one is one of the 5 mile streches is downhill in the morning, but uphill at night. do you remember the story about going to school up hill both ways.
