2005 Prius poor mileage

So, what was your mileage before you changed your tires and the onset of Winter? Did you still live 1 mile from work then?

Given that you only drive 1 mile each way, and then let the car cool down, and then drive 1 mile back, yeah, 26 mpg is not far out of the ordinary. The Prius takes about 10 minutes to "warm up" before achieving peak mileage.

The best sort of commute for the Prius is a longish (20+ minute) city commute at average speeds of 40-50 mph or so with a few stops thrown in.. (I've achieved short-term mileages of upto 60mpg in conditions like that).

For Freeway commutes (mostly 65-70mph, 20+ minutes), I get about 46-48 mpg. Anything less than 10 minutes, and your mileage drops dramatically.

 

I would ride a bike if I were you. 1-mile from home!

 

i live in Chicago and in the summer i average about 45-48 mpg. In the winter it goes down to about 38. 26 seems a little low but not completly out of the norm.

 

26mpg sounds about right for a 1 mile commute in the cold.

 

under 30 mpg doesn't surprise me for the first 5 minutes of a cold Prius. Any car will get really crappy mileage during warmup, it's just that the Prius gives you the data.

 

Are your tire pressures now too low? Tire pressures should be checked at least monthly, or whenever average outdoor temperature changes by more than about 10'C/20'F.

For improved fuel economy fanatics run pressures higher than those recommended by Toyota (but *not* greater than the maximum shown on the tire itself). I use 42/40 PSI front/rear.

 

1 Mile Ride

Even with a regular vehicle, I would not even ride a car for just 1 mile. It is really bad for the motor and exhaust system. If you really have to ride due to road conditions and for your safety, the low mpg sounds about right for a very short trip.

 

Agreed. Bike.
If not - then EV.
Maybe one of these -
http://www.zenncars.com/
Check out the fun video.

 

For your personal fitness and reduced fuel consumption I would sugest parking about a mile away from work. I think walking a mile each way to work would help.

 

Have the 12V battery checked. My stock battery was running out of juice and my mileage was tanking. Especially with the colder weather. I put a new Duralast Gold 51R in and watched the mileage move right back up where it should be. Just a thought of what could be going on.