Low Mileage on My 07 Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(xibis @ Sep 13 2007, 01:53 PM) [snapback]511975[/snapback]</div>

I have never seen my average above 34mpg. I also drive only city mles, in flat as a pancake South Florica. I'm running the air (of couse). My Prius has only 800 miles on it. Started driving a couple of months ago. I generally have short trips- to the grocery, etc., and have written into this forum brfore with your very same concerns. I was convinced that something was wrong with my car. I was advised about the proper techniques of driving a hybrid, and was told that my mileage would improve. It has not. Still concerned!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 22 2007, 02:58 PM) [snapback]516246[/snapback]</div>

I live in Fort Lauderdale and have to laugh at a couple of your suggestions. Thanks for making them though. Our stop signs are less that 200 apart, sometimes only 200 feet! Our stop lights are every 2 to 3 blocks apart!
I did hit the reset button at the last fill up, although I had been told that this would be dont automatically.

It hasn't been under 92 degrees since I got my car, so I'm not too worried about that.

As for the tire pressure, I'm going out to check it now. Would you suggest the same psi for my 17" Pirellis?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 22 2007, 11:58 AM) [snapback]516246[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Sep 22 2007, 01:59 PM) [snapback]516293[/snapback]</div>

Was your response about it being 92 degrees in reference to Evan's recommendation of an EBH? I don't have an EBH yet myself, but I can totally see why it would be useful. The first 5 minutes of all my drives are around 20-25 MPG. The next 5 minutes is 55+ MPG.

With your very low milage I'm assuming you do 5 min drives to the shops. If that's the case, your 30-35 MPG average is not only understandable but appropriate. I'm not sure if you've read other threads on PriusChat about fuel economy--but the Prius uses extra gas during the first 5 minutes of your drive in order to reach the proper operating temperature for the engine. This is why we get poor FE the first 5 minutes of runtime. This is also why your Prius makes odd noises when you turn your car off. It's because the Prius is pumping some of the warm engine fluid into a insulated canister to help expedite your next engine warmup.

Anyhow, my understanding with the EBHs is that your fuel economy for the first 5 minutes of your drive is much higher, since the Prius doesn't have to waste as much fuel to reach optimal engine temp.

Please correct me if I am wrong Evan!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 23 2007, 05:58 PM) [snapback]516688[/snapback]</div>

I'm soooo getting one. Still debating the EV mod. Have you decided wether judicious use of the EV mod will improve FE?

 

I also have an 07, but I'm doing 300+ miles a week, mostly highway. Up until the last tank of gas, (at 2400 miles) I wasn't resetting the mpg and it was staying around 42 mpg. On the current tank, after I reset the mpg, it's showing 36 mpg. Most of my diving is highway @ 70 mph, without a/c, and usually on cruise control. I've noticed that by the time I exit the highway, the battery indicator is usually in the green. I'm wondering if that is normal.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 24 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]516967[/snapback]</div>

Sorry - I'm still new to this forum. Trip is 30 miles each way - 26 of it on the highway. I've set my tire pressure to 42/40. Current tank so far I've gone 120 miles. I'll wait to see what happens when I've used the full tank. I was more worried about the green - thinking it shouldn't be charging the battery that much constantly.
I've also put in the Lockpick and wonder if that can effect the mpg readings. I've noticed there are times when the graph shows 5 minutes at <10 (though not often) and it seems to coincide with times I'm on the bluetooth.

 

that is low. definitely check tires. dont be freaked by "max" tire pressure. the real max is acyually 50% or more higher. so u r not endangering yourself in anyway and i do 70 mph on cc and geyt about 48 mpg +

 

I thought it was just ME! I've never managed to get higher than a 45mpg tank. I live in Southern California, so air conditioning is a must. Also, I live and commute in a rather hilly area--very little flat driving. I average about 25 miles a day for my commute. I haven't checked my tire pressure recently, so I'll do that in the morning and see if it helps. Unfortunately, on the freeways here you have to keep up with traffic more than I'd like if you don't want the guy behind you to have a fit! Sigh....

 

My 06 performs the same. We get 34 mpg. Very short trips. We have rough pot hole streets so we don't over inflate the tires. High pressure would rattle the car to pieces. We inflate to the car's specs on the door jam. Our AC is on low all the time.

It is hard for the car to get up to normal operating temperatures when it is turned on and off every 5 to 10 minutes. (I love that term... we don't start our car... we turn it on and off). We also replaced the tires with 205 Comfort treds because of the potholes and a desire for a smoother big car ride. The larger tires made no difference in millage... but, a tremendous difference in comfort.

What was helpful for me was when I read the post about the five stages of Prius operation. All Prius owner's who are in our exclusive "34 mpg club" should read it. It would help us understand that the car has to do what is has to do.

Also, when we took our first 30 minute trip we could imagine the full potential of the car's performance after it had totally warmed up.

So, we live with the consequenses of our limited use of the Prius. It's not the car's fault that we keep turning it on and off all the time. It is a delightfully quiet car owned by some who are not blessed with level smooth roads where traffic is not a problem... and hyper miles are in the future. For us... an electric car would be a perfect solution... if gas economy was one's goal. aloha

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(callmetuck @ Sep 22 2007, 03:59 PM) [snapback]516293[/snapback]</div>

If you changed the tires and rims that is probably your problem. Prius's are very tempermental when it comes to rubber and rims. if you put bigger rims on it means more rolling resistance and less fuel milage.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 26 2007, 04:56 PM) [snapback]518222[/snapback]</div>

I saw the Snakes and Arrows tour 5 times this summer! My family even road-tripped to Sacramento, and we were glad we did because my hubby and I ended up FRONT ROW about 6 feet from Geddy Lee! Unfortunately, I let my husband drive and he doesn't pay attention to the mileage so we'll never know what kind of mileage I could have gotten.

So far the rural routes from my place to work haven't proven to be any better, with the hills and the stoplights. I will keep looking!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 24 2007, 01:20 PM) [snapback]516967[/snapback]</div>

Evan: This may not be the right place to ask, but- Some months back I was asking for help with my wife's '06 poor milage problem. We have 4 Prius's in the family and they all get the usual 49 to 50 MPG but the wife. Have been all through the usual trouble shooting elimination process including tire pressure, driving style, ambient temperature, fuel etc. Had the regional rep check it out with no joy. Someone suggested checking wheel alignment as a last resort regardless of the visual normal tire wear. I have the results and can't remember who the expert was. Who should I consult on the impact of the results of the check on fuel economy?

Thanks, Arnie

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Sep 24 2007, 01:20 PM) [snapback]516967[/snapback]</div>

very first time on this site and looks like i hit paydirt as this is why i registered. bought the car in april and got about 42-43 for the first few tanks, then took it on a cross country 5000 mile plus trip. We were loaded with gear, bikes on top and often exceeding 70 mph, even 80 mph, and still got roughly 40mpg for the trip. The problems started on our return. We live in the Pacific Northwest. The first tank back was fine, around 42-43, then it started to go down. I know it is cooling off, but my last tank was around 37 and now it is running around 33mpg. I drive so conservatively now, trying to coast and go slower, but that seems to make it even worse! Really now, could there be something wrong? I had the 5000 mile checkup somewhere in the Midwest, but did take it in to my dealer when i got back. It's almost time for the next checkup and i will certainly ask again, but they said when i was in that things were fine. I don't know if i am imagining things, but it just doesn't seem to 'coast' like it did.

By the way, the car performed beautifully on our trip with only one what i might call an incident. We did do quite a few mountain passes, and one was higher than 8000 feet. The car did not like that. It seemed to be working a bit too hard and I actually detected some sort of electrical smell. Fortunately, we were near a place to camp, and near the top of the pass, so we stopped for the night. The next morning was all down hill and it was fine. That was interesting.