First tank result

If you can, record all fillups and the mileage at the time of the fillup. Then you can see tank averages as well as the lifetime MPG. Lifetime is better, because it smoothes out seasonal and terrain variations over time.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ChuX @ May 10 2006, 12:20 AM) [snapback]252630[/snapback]</div>

I have 3 bars left and have 420 miles on my first tank.

100% city driving.

You just have to learn how to anticipate having to stop and immediately let off the gas; oh and stay out of the way of those 8000 lb SUV's racing to a red light or stop sign.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bagwell @ May 10 2006, 09:51 AM) [snapback]252851[/snapback]</div>

Yep...I love watching those SUV's really step on it to 'beat me' to the upcoming red light. They're rushing to get to the light so they can slam on their brakes & stop and sit there. I think to myself, "Yes...please go as fast as you can to get to the red light!" :huh: :lol:

 

I'm also a "first tanker" and I have 425 miles so far with one 225 mile trip in there but I only have one of those little boxes left on the fuel gage. Sounds like bagwell is the "first tanker" champion.

What happens next when the last little box is gone, does it just disappear and an alarm sounds ? How much gas is left when there are no boxes ? To be safe, think I'll head to the gas station..... aarrgghhh. My last vehicle an XL SUV had a 31 gallon tank with 3 or 4 gallons left after the gage hit empty but it only got about 13 miles to the gallon.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ChuX @ May 10 2006, 12:20 AM) [snapback]252630[/snapback]</div>

Finished our 1st tank this week. It was 467 miles, but we got to the blinking last bar. MPG was about 47.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karnac @ May 10 2006, 10:24 AM) [snapback]252880[/snapback]</div>

I think the last bar begins to blink and you get an Add Fuel alert on the mfd screen...I've never gotten to a blinking bar, as I'm one of those who just doesn't enjoy 'pushing it' literally & mileage wise.

 

I'm a newbie as well, just got my car last Tuesday.
For my first tank, the MFD read 49 MPG. The Actual was 43.5 MPG.
I used to get 22 with a Maxima.
I love my Prius :lol:

 

I've had my car 3 weeks, mostly short trip driving (about 15 minutes). I filled up on Saturday, 366 miles, 2 Pips left. Calculted MPG: 43.1 vs 44.2 on MFD.

Since then, I've driven 80 miles, and MFD says 48 MPG. But the last 3 evenings, I've had to go run errands after work, resulting in about a 20 minute trip instead of 15 to go directly home. I assume that's why my MPG seems higher.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rick Auricchio @ May 10 2006, 12:29 PM) [snapback]252831[/snapback]</div>

I've always kept EXCEL spreadsheets to calculate 'spot' MPG, cumulative average, and usually moving averages for 2, 3, 5 and 10 fillups. When I get enough data, I graph it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Karnac @ May 10 2006, 10:24 AM) [snapback]252880[/snapback]</div>

when the last box starts flashing, it means "fill up right now!"

when the last box is gone, you have zero gas. driving the prius on an empty gas tank is bad for the car and can cause permanent damage.

there is simply no reason to run out of gas. why wait until the end of the tank and run the risk of damaging your car?

 

Thank you for the sage advice.....I kept driving and just saw the blinking little box for the first time.

I filled up the first tank on my new 2006 Prius this afternoon, went 480 miles on the first tank, used 10.2 gallons, for about 47 mpg. The last little box was only blinking for about the last 10 miles. Since the manual says that the Prius has an 11.9 gallon tank there were at least 1.7 gallons of fuel left when the box started blinking. The 1.7 gallons of "reserve" would roughly translate to about another 80 miles. Very good to know. Blinking last little box = look for gas.

 

I filled up for the first time also. I drove 470 miles and MFD says I averaged 51.4 MPG. Calculated MPG is 48.8. The tank only took 9.617 gallons, so I had quite a bit of gas left when I heard a beep and noticed that the light started blinking. I'm on my second tank and averaging 57 MPG. I'm getting the hang of it! My co-workers are sick of hearing about it!

 

I don't see why anyone bothers doing 'manual' calculations of MPG. With all the variations of filling up the bladder tank... temperatures, angles, varying sensitivties of the particular pump's shutoff sensor, the speed & backwash of filling that affects same(pumps differ on how fast gas is going in even in states where you can 'set' your pump speed).

All in all, with the technology built into the Prius, why would you ever think your calculated mpg is better/more accurate than the MFD??

Am I wrong you experienced/smarter posters?

 

1st tank fillup calculated out to 51mpg.
seem to be getting 45mpg average since then though.

 

Samkusnetz-
You are perpetuating a myth. Please point to examples that back up your claim. I've been on these boards for a long time and many people make these claims but I have yet to see them substantiated. I have gone to the flashing bar and beyond on every tank. I have run out of fuel when testing the limits of the car. I have overfilled every tank from day one without spillage. I have a lifetime mileage average that is above 56 MPG. My wife has done the same. My car has 50,000 miles on it and hers has 25,000 miles. We have experienced no issues of durability or "ruining the car" as a result. I also coast in neutral on a very regular basis. This is another practice that some claim will ruin the car. It simply isn't true. While it may seem plausible, it doesn't play out in reality. Please refrain from spreading false rumors.

BTW- My largest fillup has been 12.8 gallons and my best tank was 818 miles at 65.1 MPG on my regular daily commute so the warnings that overfilling will ruin your mileage are also false.

Just trying to debunk the myths. I have no personal axe to grind with you.

 

My first tank I got 51.3 mpg. Then it got progressively better unitil the 4th tank. Now I avg about 58-59 mpg. I live in FL and the weather is getting warmer to help out.

 

Another 1st tanker... Filled up Tuesday morning, 427 miles, 9.01gal, 47.1 mpg via the calculator and 48.2 via the MFD.

Doubled my old RAV4!! Three "blips" left on my second tank and the MFD is saying 51.6 mpg. Loving' Life!

Tad

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Catskillguy @ May 10 2006, 07:36 PM) [snapback]253267[/snapback]</div>

The only mpgs I keep track of are the ones the mfd gives me. When I fuel up, I grab my gas receipt and jot down how many miles were on the tank and what the mpgs were based on what the mfd says. Then I hit the reset button on the screen and start fresh with the new tank. Any calculations beyond that are just over my head and too time consuming...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ray Moore @ May 11 2006, 07:11 AM) [snapback]253426[/snapback]</div>

See #13...direct from the Toyota website about the Prius warranty

Personally, and I'm sure this goes for others here as well, I would not want to risk damaging a car I paid good money for, by running out of gas.

 

My black 2006 prius has less than 2k miles. I've never loved driving a car like this one. It is fun fun fun. Driving around on battery is incredible. I get 50+ miles local, 52 miles on the turnpike and 48 miles in NYC. I don't understand how the Prius received a 60mpg for city driving. Yes, when I pull into the city with a charge battery, the mileage is great, but after 2-3 miles the battery output drops and the gas engine takes over and at low speeds, everyone knows the gas engine is not efficient.

 

First tank, let it go all the way to 1 bar, had made it to 520 miles before I had to (reluctantly) fill it up. I am still constantly amazed by this little car!