Driving Style before PRIUS, with PRIUS

Yes, I drive like an ninety years old on my 1st tank. But all my bad habits came back after that.

 

I tend to start braking earlier, gentler. other than that, I am my old bad self.

 

Oh yes..before vs after after very different.

Some things I've learned include:

Lifting my foot off the throttle earlier and breaking later when approaching a red light, traffic, highway exit, etc. I never used this "glide" style like I do now.

I am still learning not to punch it. Slowly depressing the pedal takes some thought because I love to get going quickly (only to stop at the next traffic light).

Where I can do so safely, I corner just a little quicker to take more advantage of the "free" energy.

 

After getting my Prius V (first Prius) in mid June, I was focused on MPG. Finding myself being in ECO 98% of the time (Power only when needed to zip onto a freeway ramp etc.). My drives are not the best for very high MPG, although I had hit over 50MPG++ on about six 200 mile circuits. Since purchase lifetime MPG is 47.5.

I read several threads about little difference between driving in Power, Normal, or ECO - getting up to driving speed better/quicker. So a few weeks ago, I threw caution to the wind and keep it in Normal, use Power on ramps, and sometimes switch to ECO when going steady higher speeds. Honestly I was a bit tired of pushing that ECO gas pedal after stops. So now it drives closer to a "normal" car accelerator and I don't believe I've sacrificed much MPG. Last 250 miles = 51MPG. IMO not bad for my type of driving and a V. I do pulse&glide best I can.

But, I'm not anal about squeezing MPGs. I'd rather enjoy my driving experience. That's why I got the V.

My feeling is like... Ok, I'll have a beer, burger, or strawberry shortcake now and then - and not deprive myself - just so I may live 1/2 day more overall....

 

Yep... Before, I think I was a very aggressive driver (as my wife will probably attest to that). I guess that goes with the territory of having a sporty Lexus with a powerful V6 and 19" summer tires. It was pretty much racing to stop at lights.
Now, she calls me the "old man" driver. I tend to "glide" a lot more and anticipate the timing of arrival at stoplights to catch the green. But I still like to use the PWR button every now and then.

 

Mine has not changed much. About the only thing I have done different is to "anticipate" the stoplight and coast to them. I don't try to hypermile, although in my new Gen III I do keep it in "Eco" mode (at least for now). Gonna try that on my "normal" use for a tank, then turn it off and see what difference there is there.

 

I do drive a little slower and try to coast a little more, that's about it.

 

Hi my name is Peter and I am a totally changed driver. If FE is what your seeking, this car will totally change your driving habits.

 

Just returned from a 1000+ mile mostly interstate trip and was thinking about this along the way.

Now that I drive a Prius I consider braking more than ten feet from the stop. I have reduced average hiway speeds from 80+ to 70+ and I do not ride the left lane (because I am no longer contantly passing other cars).

Perhaps this is all a function of my last birthday, but I do believe that having that constant in-your-face graphic telling you the immediate effect of your driving style does a lot to modify your behavior. Maybe if all cars showed MPGs in realtime there'd be a subtle shift in everyone's driving?

 

This is an excellent point. Feedback means a lot!

The mpg feedback encourages me to experiment / play games to see what improves mileage. (I even read Prius Chat sometimes!) Feedback showing increases in the instantaneous and especially the trip mpg is very rewarding. Even if the cost savings is small, it is still fun to see that tank mpg go from 54.5 to 56.

Marty