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December MPG Averages<img alt="" src="chrome://easygestures/skin/xLink.png" style="border: 0px none

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by jimofdg, Dec 7, 2004.

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  1. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    DG, IL, US
    December MPG Averages

    Tank Miles: 257.1
    Total Miles: 3154
    Tank MPG: 45.9
    Lifetime MPG: 46.30
    Avg Temp: 50s
    Price of Tank: $11
    Price per Gal: $1.98

    This is a "hybrid" of November and December driving. No fillups between Nov. 21 and Dec. 5.
     
    #1 jimofdg, Dec 7, 2004
  2. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2003
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    Location:
    Williston, ND.
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Mod note: Made sticky to keep at top.
     
    #2 Wolfman, Dec 9, 2004
  3. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
    19,891
    1,193
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    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Tank Miles: 422 (about 45 miles beyond last bar starting to flash :x )
    Total Miles: 15967
    Tank MPG: 51.6 (calc); 51.3 (computer)
    Lifetime MPG: 51.0 (first time to hit that mark!!--though I don't expect it to last with the cold season coming up)
    Avg Temp: 40s
    Price of Tank: $13.32
    Price per Gal: $1.63

    Really only published this b/c I'm pretty happy to see that during the same time frame a year ago (<2 months into my Prius ownership) my MPG was ~45 mpg--so what's that? ~ 15% improvement. I wouldn't call that scientific, but b/w my observations and the hard data I find it believable and would attribute it to improved technique/style of driving. The Dec. average should be interesting. Last year the Dec. avg. was 43.1mpg, I hope to blow that out of the water this year, but we'll see, our Canadian friends seem to be blowing some of that arctic weather our way starting tomorrow.
     
    #3 efusco, Dec 9, 2004
  4. disneydad

    disneydad Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2004
    85
    5
    0
    Location:
    Leominster, MA
    Tank Miles: 321
    Total Miles: 321 (First tank)
    Tank MPG: 40.7
    Lifetime MPG: 40.7 :|
    Avg Temp: 38
    Price of Tank: $16.35
    Price per Gal: $1.73

    The math is off due to: i'm not sure how much fuel the dealer put in. As soon as the last bar flashed, I filled it , 9.4 Gal.
     
    #4 disneydad, Dec 10, 2004
  5. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    DG, IL, US
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Don't worry about the dealer (unless he/she had the car parked and running the whole time you did the paperwork). Also don't worry about those 6 miles or so that were on the car before you took delivery.

    You only used an amount of gas equal to what you just put in. Or are you worried you didn't start out with a full tank? The dealer has a checklist to use before delivery. I have seen one that specifies a full tank, and one that puts 4 gallons in. You could always ask the dealer which pre-delivery procedure was used, and you are free to ignore the first tank if you can't get good information.

    Other discussions here have warned against overfilling, and I agree. I will also say there is nothing wrong with filling up way before you have to (because you saw a good price, or it had a car wash, or it's cold out, or one of many other reasons that are valid because they're yours).

    If you add to your profile some basic information (not too revealing) like your location (Orlando? Anaheim?) we could comment on the climate in your area affecting mileage. Warm weather will bring your mpg up. Just enjoy your new car and thanks for posting it (here and on greenhybrid if you want it graphed).
     
    #5 jimofdg, Dec 10, 2004
  6. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

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    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
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    N/A
    Don't fret, that's not a bad first tank for those temps. Getting the car in winter is a bit of a mileage bummer, but you'll feel SO much better come spring and summer b/w learning to drive for better mileage and the advantage of warm weather.
     
    #6 efusco, Dec 10, 2004
  7. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    Re: December MPG Averages

    Speaking of greenhybrid.com, it is known for a thread "You Know You're a Real Hybrid Owner When..." and one of the 128 (so far) entries applies here.

    You only fill the tank half way to keep operating weight low.

    I like its even-handed treatment of all types of hybrid cars and trucks.
     
    #7 jimofdg, Dec 10, 2004
  8. Paul113

    Paul113 New Member

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    Motown
    Re: December MPG Averages

    JIMOFDG and I live in the same state but in 2 completely different climates. Escanaba is somehwere north of the arctic circle I think. We like it to call it the U.P. I'm "downstate" in the Detroit area. For example it snowed here this morning but by lunch it was all melted. In da U.P eh, it snows at Thanksgiving and it doesn't melt till after Easter.

    Jim will verify all this I'm sure.

    Peace,
    Paul
     
    #8 Paul113, Dec 11, 2004
  9. Paul113

    Paul113 New Member

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    Motown
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Tank Miles: 298
    Total Miles: 298
    Tank MPG: 39.87
    Lifetime MPG: 39.87
    Avg Temp: 40/50 ish
    Price of Tank: $13
    Price per Gal: I need a calculator -- lost receipt
    Cents per mile:4.36¢

    Filled up early for the sake of convenience. I've noted that each little square on the gas guage is good for about 50 or so miles. This is a guess because I never am actually looking at the guage when a little green square drops off.
     
    #9 Paul113, Dec 11, 2004
  10. margaret thomas

    margaret thomas New Member

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    Dec 12, 2004
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    Re: December MPG Averages

    When my 2004 Prius hit 15,000 miles recently the 48.5 mph average I had been getting since February 1, when I got the car, dropped to 44 to 45 mph. Can anyone tell me what might be going on. It's not the cold, it was a lot colder last Feb., March. Thanks.
     
    #10 margaret thomas, Dec 12, 2004
  11. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2004
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    Location:
    Nashua, NH
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Tank Miles: 388
    Total Miles: 12,877
    Tank MPG: 47.3
    Lifetime MPG: 53.8
    Avg Temp: 20-30F
    Price of Tank: $15.00
    Price per Gal: $1.829
    Cents per mile: $.04
     
    #11 DonDNH, Dec 15, 2004
  12. Ray Moore

    Ray Moore Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2004
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    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Tank Miles: 633
    Total Miles: 19,112
    Tank MPG: 54
    Lifetime MPG: 52.1
    Avg Temp: 30f-60f
    Price of Tank: $21.00
    Cents per mile: $.03
     
    #12 Ray Moore, Dec 15, 2004
  13. Paul113

    Paul113 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Motown
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Tank Miles: 290
    Total Miles: 588
    Tank MPG: 31.88
    Lifetime MPG: 35.875
    Avg Temp: COOOOOLD! It's +9 F right now @ high noon.
    Price of Tank: $16.00
    Price per Gal: $1.759
    ¢ per mile: 5.5¢

    I'm definately trending in the wrong direction. :roll: This is only my second tank so I'm hanging on to blind optimism.
    Peace,
    Paul
     
    #13 Paul113, Dec 19, 2004
  14. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    Re: December MPG Averages

    Thanks, Paul113. I will partially confirm what you said.

    My Prius is from Escanaba but I am not (DG is in IL). Thus Scott the salesman provided a free (with car purchase) UP T-shirt which I proudly wear, weather permitting.

    Good luck with the snow in MI. Cold temps have been biting my mileage.

    Tank Miles: 240.8 (can't get too empty in the cold)
    Total Miles: 3395
    Tank MPG: 39.3
    Lifetime MPG: 45.70
    Avg Temp: 30s
    Price of Tank: $11
    Price per Gal: $1.84

    Probably one more this month. I expect to do quite a bit more demonstration driving during all the days off.
     
    #14 jimofdg, Dec 20, 2004
  15. rwithop

    rwithop New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2004
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Tank Miles: 487
    Total Miles: 956
    Tank MPG: 49.8
    Lifetime MPG: 47.9
    Avg Temp: 35-65F
    Price of Tank: $20
    Price per Gal: $1.99
    Cents per mile: $.04

    Not too cold here, so I am getting pretty good mileage. My mileage is going way down though with the holiday season. Why?......

    Less people on the road means I am finally going highway speeds. Seeing a big drop in MPG. Never thought I would pray for traffic but here goes.
     
    #15 rwithop, Dec 20, 2004
  16. lttanguay

    lttanguay Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2004
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Re: December MPG Averages

    What in the heck state are you?
     
    #16 lttanguay, Dec 25, 2004
  17. scott

    scott New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2003
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    Location:
    Long Island, New York
    Re: December MPG Averages

    ummm....i'm on my second tank since new. First tank's avg was 36 mpg and now i'm averaging 32. I do local driving and i'm quite disappointed. :cussing:

    i understand a break in is necessary and that the cold affects mpg, but come on, my car is getting worse mpg than my dad's 88 honda civic and a friend's TDI golf.

    I'm in NY, btw.

    My current tank shows one bar above 1/2 a tank and i only have 90 miles on the tank so far.
     
    #17 scott, Dec 27, 2004
  18. disneydad

    disneydad Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2004
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    Location:
    Leominster, MA
    Tank Miles for Dec: 1989 (avg 25 miles beyond last bar starting to flash )
    Total Miles for Dec: 1989
    Tank MPG for Dec: 42.3 (calc); 43.5 (computer)
    Lifetime MPG: 46.5 (winter in Ma)
    Avg Temp for Dec: 20
    Price of Tank Avg for Dec: $16.3
    Price per Gal Avg for Dec: $1.78

    Not bad for winter :)
     
    #18 disneydad, Dec 29, 2004
  19. Paul113

    Paul113 New Member

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    Motown
    Re: December MPG Averages

    What in the heck state are you?[/quote]

    lttanguay........

    scroll up a couple posts!

    9° was a cold day...50s today to finish up the year ...and make all the snow disappear...

    Happy New Year to all and thanks Doc Fusco for the post re: gettin better mileage.

    Peace,
    Paul
     
    #19 Paul113, Dec 31, 2004
  20. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Williston, ND.
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Re: December MPG Averages

    Road trip this month.

    Total Miles for Dec: 3685.8
    Tank MPG for Dec: 45.9 (calc); 49.3 (computer)
    Lifetime MPG: 47.5 (calc) 50.6 (computer)
    Avg Temp for Dec: teens to 80's
     
    #20 Wolfman, Dec 31, 2004
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