New Prius v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) - terrible MPG

Ah, it appears there is a great deal you are not telling us about your driving. You can't save gas driving if you are needing gas to heat the occupants.

Two new 'projects' for you:
1) You can buy pipe insulation and stuff it in your grill. They will prevent cold air from cooling your heater hoses.
Everbilt 1/2 in. x 6 ft. Foam Self Seal Pipe Insulation-ORS05812 - The Home Depot
remember to uninstall them once it gets in the 70s.

2) you can buy an engine block heater, which will prevent the coolant from getting TOO cool.
Engine Block Heater for 2012-2016 Toyota Prius v - PriusChat Shop

Both will make you more comfortable and save MPGs, what a deal!

 

what mpg did you accomplish after 20 minutes?

 

Well not for those of us in semi tropical climates, which is why I did not recommend it earlier. (there would be a great risk of overheating in MS) Once you mentioned freezing temps, it seemed more productive in your situation.

(you will notice my recommendations featured how to use A/C. it is what I need)

 

Hybrid Idling for hours?

 

At least on and off...sometimes if I get stuck in traffic my battery will run all the way down and the ICE will kick in until it's charged some again

 

Imagine that you bought a 2001 Prius, first year they were imported. Watch the first 4 months in Minnesota. This guy has got to have freaked.

http://john1701a.com/prius/documents/Prius-2001_MPG_Graphs_Lifetime.pdf

Fortunately as the weather warms his MPG does get better again. Yours will too in summer.

 

There are several topics on cold weather, if you have time and want to know abit more, you can check,
Colder weather has zapped my mileage to 44mpg | PriusChat
and 2010 Prius Grill Blocking strategy | PriusChat

 

I've got Prius running gear but in a Lexus CT200h. On the way home earlier in cold weather and not even trying for good mpg I managed to get this instant reading.

Only hit EV mode on a few occasions.


iPhone ?

 

All very good advice above. My personal experience is the hybrid system LOVES driving temps between 60-90F. Below that the engine seems to run longer, probably to maintain the best operating temperature for emissions, etc. (As a matter of fact, many Pri drivers in very cold climes will put cardboard or rags behind the grille to block the cold air in so the engine will not run as much and they get better mpg). And above this range, use of the AC causes a higher drain on the hybrid battery and the engine is used to keep it charged in the ideal range - ergo slightly decreased mileage.

Second, every new car has a break-in period. Yes, the owners manual says to drive normally, but a new engine is tight and has a break-in period. With my new 2016, I was getting 40-43mpg at best. Now I'm at 700mi and I'm able to get 50-53mpg, which is what I expected.

So, use ECO mode, drive in the ECO range (unless you note youre impeding traffic) and be mindful of the break-in period and outside temps.

 

Sorry I missed this thread. Yes, Vermont can be interesting for hybrids. When the cold came in this month, I returned to leaving in the morning with the heat Off. Most of my commute starts uphill for quite some time, then levels off. the return trip is much friendlier. The bad part this month is the real killer for the Prius, Cold + Wind. Strong winds reduced my mileage to 37 max. No wind, same temp, over 40. The short trips in cold you can see the mileage stay at 20-30 until it warms up. I almost always have the display in the dash set to Car, and periodically glance over to see where it's at.

Generally speaking, when the temps hit 40 or so, no issues at all because it warms up quickly. Even with the snow tires still on, I'm at 40 plus for these two tanks. If there were no wind and hills, WOW, it loves it. lifetime - 40 mpg for me, and my hilly commute is unavoidable, and almost all highway. Warmer weather back and forth through the city and around town I can easily get near 50 mpg.

I generally keep my tires at 38 F and 36 rear. I tried higher pressure, but our roads, well, you know what they are.

 

Check out
Possible undiscovered performance and MPG issues with Prius v (lowercase v) | PriusChat

I have a lemon "trailer" Prius v and have found the trying the replier's suggestions to be be worthless & checking with the dealer (the dealer blames the tire pressure, but it always checkout okay). The repliers don't seem to have the problem, but the above dealer knows there is a problem.
Is time to check your state's lemon law.

 

it seems to be in the hsd somewhere.

 

I have a 2014 v with 25,000 No matter how I drive it in southern CA, it gets about 36 mpg

 

yup, that sounds like the trailer model. are they going to change out your transaxle?

 

Put gas in my 2014 v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) for the first time today. I bought the car 2 weeks ago with 11,000 miles and have put 371 miles on the first tank. The computer reads 44.5 mpg average for the first tank. The driving was mixed with both city and freeway driving. City driving I tried to use EV as much as possible but I didn't have much luck with that. Freeway driving I stayed with the flow of traffic. Mostly had two adults in the car while driving. Heading to the beach tomorrow with two bikes loaded in the back. Very pleased with the mileage I am getting with my v (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon)!

 

Avoid pressing the EV button.