Just past 10k miles on my 2008 #2 cherry (er, I mean "Barcelona metalic") red Prius. Unbelieveable. Got it in April. I drive about 650 miles a week. Mostly hills in central Virginia. I can't believe the gas mileage. My sisters both have '04's. I finally got with the program! Why does Toyota still say the gas average is 48-45? My average in the "Hill City" is 51.24 according to the spread sheet I have kept since I passed 3k miles. I think Toyota is underselling this car. Just discovered this web-site from the foxnews web site. Kudos to the founders and the ones with all the knowledge based info! Other questions for the more experienced Prius Technocrat's out there: What is the best product to get the bug stuff off the front that I can't get off myself using the normal methods. Don't want to ruin the paint. Who makes the stereo? I can't believe this thing! It will give you concussion if you're not carefull! I thought it had a sub-woofer, but it doesn't. Comments about the aux guages advertised on this forum please. The only complaint I have with my Prius is no real guages or gas trip computers. How does this "Vehicle Control System" REALLY work. How far can I trust it in an emergency. Already had to test the ABS braking for deer. Perfect operation. How long do the brakes last? I've heard different versions of how dependable the consumption guages are. I have found that mine averages about 2-2.5 mpg low, but sometimes it's high. For you statistics guys, I have a standard deviation of 2.77 for the accuracy. Not very good for a computer! Any hints? Is that enough for warranty service? Again, thanks to everyone on the forum. This place is amazing! Chris
Totyota has nothing to do with the stated MPG estimates. They have to state what the EPA says, not what the actual numbers or or what they would like to. Under the old EPA standard, the Prius got 60 MPG city.
The EPA received a great deal of flack over the years for having unrealistic MPG estimates. They were revised last year. I suppose they figured it was better to underestimate a little as people aren't going to cry bloody murder when their figuring a fuel budget only to have it busted. Instead, their ratings are realistic enough that those that drive and brake aggressively should still be able to hit.
