For the first time, I logged over 200 miles on the first bar (212 to be exact). Temps were in the upper 80's, MFD showed 52.4 mpg, and I had the window open (no A/C) for the last 20 miles or so.
I think I went 74 miles two weeks ago before the first bar went out. Note: I never force more gas into the tank, after the pump auto-stops.
Sounds about right to me if you let it click off. Personally, I've found I can safely squeeze 2-3 gallons into the tank after click-off. Probably wouldn't bother me if it were a gallon or so but 2-3 is a lot.
I usually get 70-90 miles. Last fill went to something like 130 miles, but it was one that was clearly an 'overfill' by my usual standards (as noted by the way low calculated mileage). It does make me wonder if I could get a lot more gas in, but I just hate that 'spit back' that has happened when I did that before.
Current tank went 203 miles +? before first bar dropped. (that was the end of my trip and I did not check the next day) MFD at 55.8 mpg - driving secondary road including over Mt Washington, temps in upper 70's. Gotta love it!
My best was something like that too. But now I have low starting MPG since I have been filling up on Friday evenings, and drive high speed (within legal speed limits) into Tampa. Then it becomes 5-10 minute trips for the weekend. So, first bar is nearer to 150-170. I was suprised though that I got 607 and still not blinking yet though it's about to blink.
How does this affect computaions of gas mileage? I notice that when I manually calculate my mileage for a tank of gas, the number is always about 1 mpg lower than the mfd says. I have no control over how full my gas tank gets since almost all gas stations in Japan, and especially around me, are full service. (Though I think they usually try to squeeze a bit more in after the auto cut off.) What is more accurate: my computations, with potentially inconsistant fill up levels; or the mfd's computation?
I just finished my first tank of gas on my new Tideland Pearl Prius. I only got 383 miles and the light was flashing. I'm still learning ways to drive for better milage, and after getting 45.1 by computer and 37.6 actual, I am currently at 54.7 after 200 miles on the new tank. The first bar went out at 117 miles. I agree that it really depends on how the tank is filled as to the acuracyof the computer calculations. I don't think the dealer did anymore than full open till it shut off, giving me less than a full tank to start with. I'm going to ignor the first and see what I get from here on and I'm going to see how much I can squeeze in on top. I"m lovin it....
I tried the pulse driving technique and found that I increased my mpg by about 10 for the last 300 miles or so. That and toping off the tank may get me closer to 200 on the first bar.
I have been getting 120-140 to the loss of the first bar until I started driving a new way too and from work. The total elevation change is less the milage nearly the same and the speed limits are all 30-35. Added to it there are gently rolling hills that really aid pulse and glide and all of a sudden I am seeing much better milage. I would estimate that I am spending 20-30 % of the trip in ICE mode the rest gliding. Add to that the block heater so I can start the pulse a glide when I get out of my development (1-2 Min) and the last two tanks it has gone over 220! It is amazing how much small things add up.
On the opposite side, my worst bar was 9 miles!! My first bar is usually between 60-110 and then the next three to four bars are around 28-30 miles, the next three are about 50, and the last one goes about 35 before blinking. This is odd because I'm barely getting 400 miles out of a tank now whereas about a year ago I was getting almost 500 miles before the last bar started blinking. Seems like the mpg went down after the 20k service visit and new tires, though only by about 2mpg. The tank just doesn't seem to be holding as much (I stop adding gas after the first click-off at the pump).
Right... fill up "correctly." If I give my car a megafill... where the fuel comes up the filler pipe, I can drive well over 200 miles - like 220~230. That's warm weather (no heater) driving of long trips at a steady, medium speed.
I am talking november wheather conditions, 4 short trips every day (less than 10 miles a trip). I happen to live in Europe - we have no bladder in the tank! My tank can hold 13 to 14 gallons. Walter
boo. I'm now going 100kms before the first bar and the subsequent bars are dropping like dead pigeons.
