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MPG doesn't seem to be saving a lot.

Discussion in 'Prius v Fuel Economy' started by DannyPriusv, Jan 7, 2016.

  1. DannyPriusv

    DannyPriusv New Member

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    Just got my Prius v few days ago. Drove over four hundred miles with average 75 mph. It only gets average of 37.8 MPG. Not very impressive, thought it will get at least 42 mpg out of it. Btw, which octane gas do you fill up with? I used super hoping for more power. Having test on regular yet.
     

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  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

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    Speed Kills... mpg. Solid 44+mpg at 65mph, illustrating the drag rise and mpg loss at 75mph.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome! use 87. the engine won't run any better on higher. prius is not really about saving money, especially at 2 bucks a gallon. what was your last car getting at 75 mph?
     
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Slow down to 62 and use regular 87 octane. Higher octane fuel will not give you better mileage. Also, give the Prius some time and miles to get broke in. Try pumping up the tires at least five pounds over what the door placard says. Learn how to hypermile, then you will easily beat the EPA estimate. If you drive 75 MPH, you are wasting gas and contributing to your POOR MPG.
     
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  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  6. Matt73

    Matt73 Junior Member

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    As above, definitely stop wasting your money on high octane fuel in hopes of getting more power.

    The Prius engine is an Atkinson cycle engine, which has a relatively long power stroke compared to a standard Otto cylce engine. High octane fuels have faster flame speeds, which allows for faster timing in variable-timing engines, thus more power, but this engine can't do that.

    I'd also wonder if your quest for more power means you're driving a bit more lead-footed on acceleration than the average joe, driving MPG down (along with the higher drag at 75).
     
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I would say in a non-RFG (reformulatd gasoline) zone, there is a outside chance of a little better MPG with Premium, But I am not thinking it makes any sense financially. I might try some premium next time I go up the mountains as I want to see if the stops me from running down my HV batt. 400miles is going to where? I need to know whether or not you are using reformulated gasoline. As it is possible there are some MPG variations in fuels, 400-miles is not much data. But that's great MPG for winter fuel in winter at 75 MPH. Next closest car in that size range is probably 15 MPG on that same drive, so don't be so critical. Maybe I get 42 MPG in my Gen2 at same speed in winter, then again maybe not 42.
     
    #7 wjtracy, Jan 8, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Driving "average 75 mph" is a big factor. There's a brutal correlation between increasing speeds and mpg drop off. If you're exceeding the speed limits, there's an easy first step: slow down, stay in the right lane, follow a truck, whatever you can do. To further reduce speeds, if possible: look for an alternative route, a secondary highway with lower speed limits.

    Then, try one thing for starters: drive strategically. Keep a generous space from vehicles in front. When they hit the brakes, take your foot off the gas and coast through that buffer. If some one "cuts you off", relax. In short: make the most of your momentum; don't squander it by over accelerating and then having to hit the brakes.
     
  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Those numbers sound a little low.
    But brand new vehicle, I'd check the PSI of my tires.

    And also, nearly 38 MPG for a vehicle the size of a Prius v, at 75 mph is pretty good.

    I use to be happy if my compact Honda Fit returned 32 mpg...under any circumstance.

    I personally think Prius are always about efficiency and thus savings. Even when gas prices are low. It's all relative. Gas Guzzlers are paying less to fill up because gas is less BUT I'm still paying less in relationship.

    When gas prices go up, I'll still pay more to fill up than now, when gas prices are low? I just marvel at how far I can go, for so little money invested into fuel.
     
  10. minnyprius

    minnyprius Member

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    High speed driving is efficient for time, but not for gas mileage.

    My PiP gets 55-65 for an average in-town freeway commute... (55-65 MPH, with some slow-n-go)

    On a recent 300-mile road trip, I took smaller roads up to the destination, and averaged 53 mpg... but my 80MPH return trip netted me 40 mpg. (keep in mind it's winter, and I had my tires at the Toyota Recommended 35/33psi... I've since upped them to 39/37)

    It's still better than what something else would have provided, however... and although high-speed long-distance driving levels the playing field, my daily driving blows the competition away, in terms of fuel economy.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    keeping mind everyone, o/p has a v.
     
    #11 bisco, Jan 8, 2016
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2016
  12. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    ...thats why I say next closest car with xx-ft3 cargo space (whatever it is) you gotta be talking <20 MPG at 75 MPH in winter...of course we ain't got no good data like that so I can make it up.
     
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  13. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    You says you live in Knoxville. TN I presume.

    If you averaged 75MPH, that means you did a lot of driving miles at 80 or more to offset the start ups and the 30-55 stretches.

    Knoxville is surrounded by hills/mountains. They cost MPG the way it sounds like you drive.

    You say you are looking for power. From a v?

    Maybe you bought the wrong car for your wants.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Mike, I doubt the car's saying an average speed of 75 mph. More like he means he's doing around 75 when up to speed. Other'n that yeah.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, i'll go with wrong car as well.
     
  16. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    We own (my wife drives) our 2014 v three. We have something like 7k+ miles on it or so and have seen 35-37 mph for the life of the car. She has a somewhat stop and go 9 mile commute.....It is what it is I guess.

    When I owned my Persona I averaged 42-43 mpg calculated over the year I owned it. That was driving it pretty conservatively (grille blocked in winter) and tires at 44/42 and my commute is about double my wife's commute and I know how to drive a hybrid.... So 35-37 in her v seems about right for a shorter commute. Hoped for better but I can understand why it is where it is..... It's a bigger car..

    Heck I don't see how guys are claiming 44+ mph in a v. We took a 100+ mile each way trip to Hershey pa @ 65/70 mph or so and back a couple weeks ago and didn't even see near 40 mpg. It was windy and cold though.
     
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  17. stephane

    stephane Prius v owner

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    Ask your self what other car this size could even give you close to this at that speed
     
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  18. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    2500 miles in and I'm mid 14's for mpg on my Big Horn Ram....


    :cool::whistle:
     
  19. Eugene Sanchez

    Eugene Sanchez Junior Member

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    All depends on your mix of roads, hills, and speed. Along with accelerating more slowly, and driving at the utmost 65-75mph range, be very aware of how you brake, avoid quick braking. Observe red lights and stop signs from afar and allow your car to glide and run on momentum, then brake lightly allowing the regenerative brakes to give a thorough charge to the battery. Being aware of effective braking for a good charge to the battery is one of the fundamentals of high mpg, along with accelerating and driving at reasonable speeds.
     
  20. Topp Cat

    Topp Cat Member

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    you got the wrong vehicle if you plan to drive over 75 mph Prius engine are not design to run at high rpm and deliver optima mpg! Better off with a diesel!