So here's the deal. I had to pick up my in laws at the airport today. I'm in central Jersey and they were flying into JFK this afternoon. Anyone familiar with the area knows that trying to get from Jersey to JFK and back on a rainy Friday afternoon is not fun. I filled up my tank last night and reset trip A. Traffic was real heavy and I had to keep pretty close to the car in front of me because in NYC, if other drivers can gain a millimeter by cutting you off, they would. I tried to pay close attention to traffic well ahead of me so I could stick on the car in front of me while still doing as much gliding as possible. That technique worked because I kept seeing my MPG's rising. I parked at JFK averaging 61.4 mpg for the trip out there. I was pretty proud of that number but figured that with my in laws and their luggage in the car, the return trip would be much worse. I was absolutely shocked, after getting home my round trip average bumped up to 62.7 mpg I've only had the Prius for three weeks, so me and the car are still breaking in. My first tank had a calculated 51 mpg. My second tank had a calculated 54.5 mpg. It just seems to be getting better and better Michael
Way to go! That's the kind of fun that some gear heads will never learn to enjoy. In Prius, you may waste time in traffic but not gas.
I went to a Cubs game a few days ago. Driving into the city after work requires a full tank and a lot of patience. That is, if you're in a conventional car. You see, a few weeks ago I made the same trip and my mileage went up because I was able to glide and stealth for long distances as traffic slowly moved along. But this week a coworker drove in his Jeep Liberty. The trip was something like 35 miles one way, 70 miles 'round trip. He averaged 18 mpg. We two passengers, chipped in $5 apiece for gas. I know it's too much but it was worth it to have someone else drive. But wow! It took almost four gallons and cost almost ten dollars just to get downtown and back. That same trip would have cost me about a gallon and a quarter.
I figured out that it's taking me less than a gallon a day to get to work (52 miles RT). It used to take just under 3/day. Loving it! :dance:
Averaging 50 mpg and work is 3 miles away. It is costing me .17 to go to work and .17 cents to go home each day. .35 round trip. My old car was .87 per round trip. How I love this car.
I think my wife put it to me best yesterday: She said "Having a car like this cures you." She meant, once you experience the unique thrill of stellar fuel economy one tends to realize the folly of gearheadedness. And if this woman can be brought over from the dark side, I think anyone can!
The "fun" part of NYC driving on the highways is that traffic can be very heavy yet still move at 60 mph. If you leave a "safe" gap between you and the car in front people just keep cutting in. This forces somewhat aggressive driving where you have to stay close to the car in front. BTW, I'm still a little above 60 mpg for the tank (according to the display). I'm hoping to keep it above 60 for the rest of the tank But with my kids starting school this week it means I'll have a lot of short trips starting with a cold engine Michael
I couldn't agree with you more. I know you traveled on the Belt Parkway and if you leave more than three feet in front of you, you will get cut off, no questions asked. That causes you to have to brake and then it is a perpetual problem if you even try to keep a safe distance. This is what you have to deal with in NY. AND,,, if you use your blinker, be prepared for the person that you wish to move in front of to speed up. That's why I don't use my signals anymore. Only time I use them is for off ramps and turning left or right. Lane changes are a free for all on NY highways. Jersey is bad too. Ironically I think they are worse than NYers. However, I don't want to start a state border war here.
And staying in the slipstream of others as a bonus to increase mileage. Just watch out for sudden braking. Most people don't think about that, I often curse the driver in front of me when he/she is slamming the brakes for nothing and I have to brake too.
I lived in Maryland for 3 years....I think the DC/MD/VA traffic on the beltway is nearly the worst I've seen. Maybe except Boston. Gotta get more than two states in the ring here :flame: My pet peeve is when I'm gliding up to a stop light, someone comes whipping by in the left lane, cuts in front of me and slams on their brakes at the light and then I have to brake before the light changes, when I've timed it beautifully and never would have had to touch them were it not for the brakehog. I think I need to get an airhorn under the hood and surprise them the next time that happens Robbin
You're all completely wrong about the following distance thing. Leaving a much *bigger* gap helps all the traffic flow, and if someone jumps into it ahead of you they've got a lot more room to get out of your way by themselves instead of jumping on their brakes and forcing you to react. . GO OUT AND TRY IT. Three seconds minimum, maybe more. . _H*
I am a firm supporter of the three second rule and follow it whenever I'm able. But if you try it on the Belt Parkway at 5 PM on a Friday, they'll eat you alive Everybody, and I do mean everybody will cut you off. The trick in those situations is to watch traffic well ahead of you and try and anticipate what the driver in front of you will do. Keeps the adrenaline going Michael
