First tank ~35mpg all city - 2008

Mpg

From what I've observed with my Prius, short trips will definitely not give you a high 40's mpg report. If it is less than a 10 mile commute...that may be a reason why you are not getting what I am currently getting. My one way commute to work is 25 miles and my mpg has improved from 44 to 45 now my last tank was calculated at 47.87 mpg.

Mention to your wife to be easy on the accelerator as she takes off from a complete stop. I tend to give the Prius a smooth take off and I really think that that might make the difference in mpg.

 

I disagree, you can expect some correlation, usually within 8%. As Tony mentions, there are caveats: it depends on how full you filled it this time compared to the previous time (probably the biggest factor), small differences with how much fuel fits in the bladder based on temperature, differences in pump reporting at various gas stations etc.
But like the OP said, you don't know how many gallons the dealer put in. They probably know putting x.y gallons in on an empty tank will show up as all bars lit, and you drive 15 miles and the first one disappears, whereas if you fill it up until the second time it clicks off, you can get over 100 miles on the first bar (depending on weather and your commute).

Also, the dealer probably idled the car while prepping it, maybe there was a test drive, so the first tank will have low mpg. Plus, you (your driving style) and the car are just too new to really create an accurate impression of what kind of mileage the car will do for you. It's best just not to worry about the first tank, but if you still want an example, my first tank was 40.5 mpg and 20 months later my lifetime average is 49.9 mpg, almost a 25% improvement. It takes patience, most of all - the rewards are slow, but they are there.

Your wife can drive it like a normal car, just pump up the tires to 39/37 or 42/40 for front/rear (with or without her knowledge) to give an easy boost to mileage. More involved tips are in stickies at the top of this forum.

 

Still on my first tank!

MattFL, I am seeing low 40's right now...still on my first tank for my 2008 less than a week of driving in CA, various terrain and conditions. I'd give it a couple of tanks before you can accurately judge how much gas is in there. I'll admit I have been the only driver, and "light footing" the whole way. LOVE the car!
Andy

 

I think that taking off quickly has less of an impact than "rushing" up to a stop sign does. The vast majority of people on the road keep their foot on the accelerator up to the last minute before braking hard to stop at a sign or light. One of the biggest ways to positively affect your MPG without having to drastically change your driving habit is to try and time lights better and to let off the gas and coast to the next stop long before you normally would. This goes a long ways towards raising your MPG number. I do this on country roads (1/3 of my commute) or on residential streets at night when no one is around. In the country I may lift off the pedal slightly about 1 mile away from the next stop sign. I drop 1mph every 5sec or so and then glide for the next 1/4 mile or so. It's slower than normal but kinda fun and I'm usually not too far behind the speed demons that passed me earlier.

If you are lucky you'll end up like a lot of us and change your driving habits entirely and have a blast doing it. I've raced cars for 14yrs and never thought I'd enjoy driving so slow but here I am doing it and I feel so much better at the end of my commute.

 

continue to record both MFD mileage and your pencil method... you will find over time that your LT figures will merge... and no, your dealer probably didnt get your tank as full as you did.

and that is called the "my previous car took 15 gallons when i drove this far, so this car should take at least half that much so i need to keep filling" syndrome

ya know what im talking about after your 5 th click off...

 

Prius Touring 2008-2nd Tank, averaging 35 mpg

Hi Matt,

I have about approx 450 miles now and am averaging about 35 mpg. Most of my trips are under 10 miles, lots of local driving. I am aware of coasting and watch the display to see what's happening and try to stay within the Prius Game as I call it but I'm still just getting the 35. I'm only on my second tank of gas, have 2 blips left so i guess i'll fill up later. I assume each "blip" represents a gallon? Otherwise I am enjoying the car.

Sandy

 

Prius Touring 2008-2nd Tank, averaging 35 mpg

Hi Matt,

I have about approx 450 miles now and am averaging about 35 mpg. Most of my trips are under 10 miles, lots of local driving. I am aware of coasting and watch the display to see what's happening and try to stay within the Prius Game as I call it but I'm still just getting the 35. I'm only on my second tank of gas, have 2 blips left so i guess i'll fill up later. I assume each "blip" represents a gallon? Otherwise I am enjoying the car.

Sandy

 

More or less. There's probably 2 gallons for the first blip (or bar, or pip, as it's also called). It's not real accurate however, and it's good to also keep in mind how long you've been driving on that blip, especially when you start getting to the end of the tank.

For NY, your mileage should increase a decent amount in the summer. In the winter, it just takes too long for the engine to warm up. You've been getting the weather we've had in the midwest lately, so I kind of know what it's like. And right now I need to go shovel the driveway again.
(Depending on what part of NY you're from - upstate or city, snowbelt or not).

 

Okay, I lied. My last tank was 11% off. But that's rare, and might be because it was so much cooler this time (the gas bladder shrinks in cold weather, so it doesn't hold as much).

 

2008 Mileage

I am on my first tank in my 2008. I am averaging 45mpg and the first two bars have clicked off on the guage. I agree not knowing what the dearler put in or how long they ran the engine sitting still makes a big difference. First full day of commute 51 mi each way, I averaged 45.7. I have already changed my drivning habits, enjoy that and easily keeping up with the mass of traffic. Can't wait to hit 50mpg avg.