I just got back from my first road trip in my new Prius. start mileage was 140 now I'm at 388. It was a drive to visit the in-laws for the afternoon. I was happily surprised that I averaged 48.8mpg in about 30 degree weather. It was all highway driving and I used the cruise control most of the trip. Just reporting my results and asking for feedback. thanks!
I have not heard anything about not to use cruise control if the car is under 500 miles. YOur 48 mpg report is great. As mentioned earlier, as soon as it gets warmer...you will see mpg in the 50's.
I was also told to not use cruise control prior to reaching 500 miles. I think it says that in the owners manual as well.
The only reason to stay out of cruise with a new engine is to keep it from sitting at one RPM constantly and breaking-in badly. (How "bad" that is these days is anybody's guess.) But with a CVT it shouldn't matter as long as you aren't on a dead-flat road. Hills will drive RPM up and down enough to keep it happy. Sounds like you're off to a great start with the mileage. Just keep on doing whatever you're doing!
Before I bought a Prius I drove about 5 mph above speed limit on the highway consistently. When I bought the Prius I told myself I would now drive the speed limit! Here in PA that's generally 65...55 in some places. On the mpg averages I've stated I would say I'm averaging about 63 mph.
I think a lot of us are telling ourselves that. What is the use in having a car cable of high MPG, if we are not going to take full advantage of it. This is off subject, but I wonder if that is another reason my car insurance only went up $6.00 a month over what I was paying for my 1993 Toyota?
