This forum provides a huge & invaluable wealth of knowledge. I think most everyone that purchases a Prius has some interest in gas mileage & environment. We're just coming out of winter & discussion of how temperature affects mileage. The winter gas is a factor. Yesterday & today having 33 mph winds, I can't help but notice how it affects mileage. Our average wind here is 12.3 mph daily. That's a lot of wind. I am amazed that with the hills, wind & open highway driving that my Prius continues to churn out 50+ mpg (with wider than std tires). I've appreciated everyone's knowledge, help, info etc. Nice place to peruse.
I always check the flags as I leave work. If the wind is blowing in the wrong direction, I park my car and wait it out. Just kidding! No I don't wait it out. Headwinds stink big time but there's nothing I can do about it except draft off SUVs.
I have an 06 Prius. Driving from the bay area to Tahoe and back I average just under 50 MPG 500 miles round trip. Remember that's driving up hill from 0 feet to an altitude of 8000 over Donner summit. Then all over Tahoe and back (all down hill) It come out to about 41 up 53 back. Now, if I put on the Yakima racks and put skis and 3 boards and poles on the top, mileage really suffers. I can't get better then about 38 up and back. Put the skis inside the car! -Paul R. Haller-
Here's a great read...and tool for understanding when and how wind affects MPG, specifically on the 2G Prius. Prius Palm Mileage Simulator
Crosswinds suck too. Try to have the wind directly behind you whenever possible. :madgrin: Crosswinds are almost always mor
Has anyone done the underside covering & what material did you use? I used aluminum years ago on a race car.
The 2G Prius already has underside shielding as shown in this diagram: The 3G (2010) model apparently has even more elaborate undercar air management, but I haven't seen any photos of this yet.
There is, of course, the skid plate at this web site: PriusChat Shop : Toyota Prius BT Tech Skid Plate - $299.99 JeffD
Hahaha! I found this incredibly funny for some reason. Cheers! Brad PS: This is my first post, but I've been lurking here for some time, since I bought my 2006 back in December 08. Been a wealth of knowledge...
We used to go to the Reno Air Races every year. While the drive up Donner summit is a bitch, The 4Runner used to go down hill at 82, in neutral, and get some unrealistic MPG numbers, but hey, Gravity sucks, ALL THE WAY DOWNHILL!. WHOO HOO!!! Sadly when you average the uphill guzzle.... you end up with the usual 18 or so MPG!!! But it was a fun ride!!
I always "try" to find some 18 wheeler to draft off. It isn't always possible on our single lane 60 mph highway but I do try, sometimes by pulling over and waiting on the edge of our small town. I've found you don't have to sit 3" from their back bumper once under way like the hypermilers since it's dangerous in my opinion, and the truckers tend to get pissed. I'll usually try to stay back the normal 1 car length for each ten miles per hour....and it does help, especially when into a head wind. When traffic is slow and bumper to bumper I will sneak up closer since the trucker won't be pissed at me but at the whole slow traffic pattern that we're all in.
No question it's dangerous and unpopular with the truckers. But you need to check your facts (this and this are good starting points) about hypermilers and drafting. It's bad enough the mainstream press perpetuates the stereotype. We don't need it here. And besides, there are many who argue that 1 car length per 10 MPH is unsafe. (Google "proper following distance.") Most hypermilers allow considerably more distance than that, not only for safety but also to respond to sudden changes in conditions ahead without inefficiently braking hard.
