I've begun to notice other Prius drivers a lot more now that I have one myself. The most striking thing is that many of them will even hold up traffic just so they can keep their precious MPG rating! Or is it that we are more careful drivers to begin with? As for me, I've definitely mellowed a little bit and wouldn't call myself a lead foot when driving the Prius, but I can't stand holding up traffic either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ari @ Sep 7 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]315900[/snapback]</div> It is important not to become a mobile traffic plug. I live outside and commute into NYC - if you don't flow with traffic, you get run over. That being said my prius in my 50+ mile daily bidirectional commute has been getting me an average of 52mpg for 14,000 miles I have slowed down a bit though like you. Enjoy your ride.
I think the Prius helps to make one more mellow, so to speak, while driving. I still drive aggressively at times when needed, but for the most part I'm able to stay pretty damn calm and relaxed while driving it. I think I'm headed towards Prius nirvana...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Sep 7 2006, 04:25 PM) [snapback]315904[/snapback]</div> Me too ... ohm... Namaste!
I'm just much more aware. I don't drive slower at all. I just give myself more room between me and the car in front of me, and when I see a red light upcoming, I stop accelerating, and go into glide. I never pulse and glide if I've got someone behind me...... I'm not going to take the car down to 30 mph if the speed limit is 40.... Just be smart I guess is all I can recommend.
My aggresive driving habits are gone. I am so calm when I get home in the afternoons. As I stated in another similar thread- It's like Prozac on wheels!
I'm a "fast" driver. Always have been, always will be. I'don't fight the flow of traffic and will go at whatever speed the other drivers are going in the fast lane. In CA, this is typically 70-75, sometimes 60-65, sometimes 80-85. Even so, I won't hesitate to pass a "slower" driver who is impeding traffic (seldom another Prius), if there is room to do so safely. Driving in this way, I still get 40-42 mpg on the highway/freeway. This is good enough for me. FWIW, I've experimented by trying to drive slower on back roads and have even tinkered with the pulse & glide technique, but the results have not been sufficiently satisfying to motivate me to change my driving habits. So, whenever I take the Prius out, the consumption screen is turned off and I just drive it!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ari @ Sep 7 2006, 04:19 PM) [snapback]315900[/snapback]</div> Definitely more careful and mindful of speed. It has spilled over to when I drive our other vehicles as well...Much calmer and relaxed.. Not in as much of a hurry...
It's a new car - so I've been taking it easy. The big numerical speedometer seems to be making me drive the speed limit instead of my customary speed limit + 5MPH.
Definitely more economy minded...like to see that mpg number creep up! It may be arrogant of me, but it's my belief that if every vehicle gave contemporaneous mpg readout, lot's of fuel would be saved...and lot's more Prius' and hybrids would be on the road.
