The Long Distance Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grumpy Old Man @ Jul 7 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]474785[/snapback]</div>

Last August, I took a 2000+ mile trip in the Prius: My wife and I and quite a bit of luggage. We averaged just shy of 50 MPG (49.9, to be exact) for the entire trip. I calculated it by using the #of miles/gasoline purchased, and compared with the screen display, which was set at the beginning of the trip and left alone until my first gas purchase AFTER arriving home. Both numbers were the same to the nearest 0.1 MPG.

The trip included several mountain passes, the highest of which was Donner Pass (7140 feet or thereabouts).

So my conclusion is that the Prius is an Amazing Road Car, and the mileage does not suffer at all. In fact, 50 MPG is much better than I get around town in San Jose commute traffic.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OlsonBW @ Jul 8 2007, 12:09 PM) [snapback]475090[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn’t go that far, however.

I’m torn between getting the best mileage I can, (pulse and glide, staying under 41, playing the terrain, etc.) and not upsetting the guy behind me. In a perfect world, I could stay in the right lane and drive as slow as I wish. However, that’s certainly not possible in Chicago. For some reason, people here don’t know they can use that round thing to change lanes. Instead, they seem to think that they have ownership of the lane they’re in, and if they get close enough to my bumper, I will tend to maintain the assured clear distance behind me, or risk getting rammed. At that point, it’s a matter of who has the stronger will. One trick is to adjust the rear view mirror, so you can’t see out the back. :angry:

That said, I feel that Prius drivers are ambassadors. I want the guy behind me to buy my car, not get mad at it. Blending in with traffic flow is a good first start. I want people to see me out in my car, and I gladly talk to them about its super mileage and other hybrid features.

 

:blink: Sorry, but I do not believe the MPG averages quoted on this forum. I think it is like saying mine is bigger than yours

We own two Touring models and get 41-43 avg. mpg combination of highway and intown driving in hilly Virginia. Perhaps 44 mpg on Interstate and it goes down for intown short trips. Yes I am familiar with "pulse and glide". Yes, I run the ac or heat when needed. We love the cars and are pleased with mpg over 40, but I do not believe the figures quoted in Prius Chat.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

Overall, I agree with you 100%. 45mpg is what I get overall. Not unhappy with that at all. I drive the car like it's any other car. I don't drive it in any special way.

A couple weeks ago, I drove 400 miles on a very pleasant day, all interstate highway, no real hills to speak of. However, some of it was construction zones, so for maybe 15% of that I was 55mph. Otherwise, though, it was 74mph. I'm not a hypermiler, so I set the climate control for comfort set the cruise control, and go. And so that I'm not a left lane hog, I actually pass people. I get over, stuff my foot in it, and pass at reasonable speeds--up to 80. (I believe in keeping up with traffic and not playing traffik kop to the guy behind me who wants to go even faster.) I stopped a couple times for tolls, and a couple times for rest areas.

The result: 53mpg. I couldn't believe it.

So if anyone asks, I get 45 in town and 50 on the highway.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

PLM, as can be seen at greenhybrid.com fuel economy is all over the place. It depends on your terrain, climate, trip length, and driving style. If you are running your tires soft and your ICE cool, then, no, you won't get the best mpg.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 06:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

If you want I can take a picture of my MHD and post it on here. I'm currently getting exactly 51.0 mpg (the highest it has shown past 1,000 miles is 51.4 mpg but that was babying things -- while staying out of the way of others). I live in the Seattle area which doesn't seem to have a flat spot of more than a couple of feet. You are either always going up or down hill. I have a mix of freeway and local traffic. I agree that going between 40 and 45 mph when I can keep a constant speed (which is hard to do here) is when I get my best gas mileage.

My last fill-up I had one bar left with 457 miles on the MHD which shows how many miles since the last fill up. Let me know if you want me to take a picture and post it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

The only time I was doing less than 50mpg was too many short trips in one week, was going downhill to a supermarket 3 miles away, then coming back home uphill. Now, I try to do a few errands not just the local supermarket. I also have to chose the "right" roads to take. Since I do have choices, and there are many road s to reach my destinations, I chose the ones that I can go under 41mph and not as hilly. I also do not like the A/C, I do prefer a slightly opened window with the fan on "medium", the A/C only goes on when its over 80F outside. I have also adjusted the tires to be 40/38, which seems to have added to the better mpg.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OlsonBW @ Jul 8 2007, 01:09 PM) [snapback]475090[/snapback]</div>

It seems if I go 40 in a 45 speed LIMIT, or 45 in a 45 or even 50 in a 45, someone is always on my tail, so that being the case, why should I accomodate the person behind me? I will do what is best for me and that is....not engaging the gas engine if at all possible, and not exceed the speed LIMIT. Those who tailgate should have their licenses "taken away".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AOV @ Jul 9 2007, 06:48 AM) [snapback]475466[/snapback]</div>

Yes you should get out of the way. For one YOU were the first one to admit you were "blocking" them.

As for them speeding, that is what tickets are for.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OlsonBW @ Jul 9 2007, 12:51 PM) [snapback]475562[/snapback]</div>

Cops don't give out enough tickets. If they did, you wouldn't have the problem of people riding your arse even if you do go the limit or 5 over. For that matter, where are the tickets for tailgating? The second that people tailgate they become just as dangerous and even more so than the person following the rules. If someone wants to go faster than me when I'm doing the limit I have absolutely no problem but don't tailgate.

I agree 100%! It seems that people who think that those who chose to go the limit are called "dangerous" or even "selfish." Aren't the people who insist on going over the limit just as guilty of being "dangerous" or selfish?" I'm getting sick and tire of right being called wrong and wrong being called right. Someone wrote a long time ago of that being a dangerous road to travel down.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

Interesting. I am also in VA, though maybe not quite as hilly as your part of it. My 07 Prius has an average of 54.3mpg over 2230 miles, and averaged 49.2mpg on a recent 1100 round trip, mostly running at 70mph, with the air conditioning on. I don't make much attempt to drive economically, though the energy screens do help tailor some driving habits since previously I was rather more of an aggressive driver.

Whether you believe the figures or not, there are clearly at least some people who do obtain better fuel efficiency than others for any of a number of reasons. There may also be some who make the numbers up for some reason, but they really only fool themselves by doing so. Your 41-43 average seems a little low to me in comparison to many of the figures quoted on other sites such as greenhybrid.com, though also rather better than others quoted here.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 08:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

I also drive in VA....I drive from Chesterfield to Ft Lee everyday (mostly highway) and get around 52mpg and the only thing I do is stay within 4mph of the speed limit and plan ahead for traffic and lights. My wife who drove in NYC for 15yrs gets 48-51mpg going to work in Richmond. BTW, my coworker also has a prius and he gets around 42-45mpg but it is because he is a very agressive (read speeder) driver who accelerates and brakes hard.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PLM @ Jul 8 2007, 09:11 PM) [snapback]475244[/snapback]</div>

I'm in Falls Church VA. When you say "hilly", Do you mean a place a lot hillier than here, or are you in NoVA too?

My mileage is all over the place - usually depending on who's driving. While I hit higher speeds than my GF, I consistently get higher fuel economy, but she's catching up to me. My average around town ranges from 42mpg to 45mpg - and it seems to me it's always the length of the trips that affects the mileage most for us. If I only commute to work in Springfield VA, with no short trips, I've seen my average for a week go all the way up to 58mpg.
I drove back and forth to Stevensville last weekend and got 55mpg heading out, down to 53mpg on the return trip. I hit the reset button the next day for the drive to annapolis, achieving only 52mpg round trip.

People like to post their mileage numbers because they're proud. Others, like me, are proud because theirs is bigger . All kidding aside, Anyway, your choice to believe or not - I pride myself on being an honest person, and you can't take that away from me

Dave

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(diamondlarry @ Jul 9 2007, 01:05 PM) [snapback]475702[/snapback]</div>

If you're doing 5 under and a cop sees someone tailgating you, guess what's likely to happen? You'll BOTH get tickets. You for obstructing traffic and he for following too close.

One of the rules you seem so enamored with is don't be a danger to other drivers. If you are going significantly slower, ESPECIALLY if the road is a single-lane, then you are a danger. The risk of crash from two cars going ten over is significantly less than the risk of crash with lots of 10 over people passing a 5 under person..

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(diamondlarry @ Jul 9 2007, 01:05 PM) [snapback]475702[/snapback]</div>

Both are wrong. Blocking and speeding. The problem is that they don't give out tickets for blocking. And unless they are going more than 5mph over the speed limit they shouldn't be given a ticket. Over 5mph over the limit, yes.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(diamondlarry @ Jul 9 2007, 01:05 PM) [snapback]475702[/snapback]</div>

I totally agree about tailgaters. But if they took away more driver's licenses from blockers they would be less people tailgating, which I don't do.

 

Thanks for posting the topic..... So, we've had our Prius for around a year, but never took it on a trip. We live in Los Angeles. Used for daily commutes, around town and such, it has has proven to be a great car. On our last outing to Las Vegas, we decided to give the Prius a try. It was nice and quiet at highway speeds (I'm talking about highway 15 to Vegas speeds). The car slips through the air and didn't mind going fast. Good steering and body feel at +70 and +80. The long climb hills proved not to slow the car down, but rev up the gas engine. You don't notice shifting because of the CVT, but the engine did howl a bit keeping the 70mph speed up the hill. Mind you, this was a week ago, temps on highway 15 ran over 100 degrees. The air conditioner was running high all the time and the battery levels dropped when we stopped for a break.

In Las Vegas we didn't really drive around, but our return trip was a real acid test. The long steady climbs out of Vegas to Los Angeles take their toll on many vehicles. Blown out tires, cooling systems fail, transmissions blow out, engines barely pulling overloaded cars up the hills. It was July 2nd, the exterior temp read out was usually 104, 106 or 109, at one point my wife pointed out the display, it was 115 out there.

The Prius (two people with luggage) took on the road, breathing a little hard, but got us back to LA without a problem. Perhaps some people on the road took exception to being passed by a Prius... that's their problem, but only a few that would floor it to prove their point. I thought the car did very well, however due to the conditions, the heat and my heavy foot, we only got 42 miles to the gallon.... not a problem in my opinion.

Our usual trip car is an Audi A4 Convertable. Ok, the Audi is a great travel car, we love it. But our test of the Prius for road trips really opened our eyes.


-Nda3rdcar

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OlsonBW @ Jul 10 2007, 08:57 PM) [snapback]476601[/snapback]</div>

Thankfully your concept of traffic rules regarding speed are not law.



As you will see, most minimum speed limits are 15 MPH under posted maximum speed limits.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_...um_speed_limits

Your whining about someone going 5 MPH below the posted maximum limit as somehow being dangerous is bull!!!! <_<
If anything, it is the impatient driver behind with the problem. A closure rate of 5 MPH is NOT a hazardous condition.

One mile per hour over the posted maximum limit is a ticketable offense. PERIOD!

 

Here in Norway it is forbidden to tailgate.
The law demands a distance of 3 seconds to the car in front of you. U sually the police won't mind 2 seconds either.

Bit if you go less than 1.5 seconds behind the car in front of you, you may lose your driver's license. Normally for about 2 months, in serious cases up to 6 months. And if you lose your license to 6 months or more, you'll have to take your driver's exam again (the practical part).

BTW, here in Norway, going 10mph over the speed limit will entitle you for a NOK3600 ($620) speeding ticket. 20mph over the limit is NOK7800 ($1345).

Stein
(who have paid his share of the policemens ball over the years)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grumpy Old Man @ Jul 7 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]474785[/snapback]</div>

I just got back from a long road trip driving my new 2007 Prius from southwestern Colorado to northern Wisconsin (1600 miles one way) and back with the wife and two teenage daughters. We have made this trip a number of time before in a '96 Camry. We need to drive fast and hard in order to make the trip straight through in 26 hours. We thought the interior passenger space was more roomy than the Camry (and the sterio was much better). The Camry can hold more in the trunk but all our stuff fit in the back of the Prius with some room to spare. It is about 400 miles from Cortez to Denver with a number of major mountain passes along the way. I was quite surprized that we made 54 mpg on this stretch. The Prius is a dog making the way up the long uphill grinds. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5 liter engin has to work hard. 45 mph was usually possible with a reasonable sounding engine speed. If I pushed it harder, it would go faster by dropping to an even lower gear winding up the engine even more. It didn't sound good. (I sure wish there was a tach. I hope one of these computers tracks the engine speed and keeps it from reaching the red line!). On the flat interstates going 80 mph the mileage dropped to 42 to 43 mpg. The Prius cruised at 80 mph just fine and could have done 85 but milage would suffer further. Crossing Wisconsin mostly on 4 lane state highways (70 mph) the milage was back up to the low 50s again. Speed is of course a major factor determining the milage but I think the right type of hilly terrain capitalizes on the hybrid design. Overall we were very pleased with the driving performance, comfort and great economy using the Prius for this long road trip.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grumpy Old Man @ Jul 7 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]474785[/snapback]</div>

I have a 2005 wit 42,000 miles on it. It is my only car( I do have a morot home and a motorcycle) and I was getting 50+ MPG before I changed the tires. Now I get between 47-50. I just got back from a 2000 mile trip with wife and 2 kids as well as luggage for a week. Had plenty of room for additional items purchased on thge trip. It was a comfortable ride, with one stop for gas between Florida to the outer banks in North Carolina. With the cruse control on at 70MPH I got 47.7 MPG.

THIS IS A GREAT CAR.