calculated vs. computer MPG - Please post your results

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by F8L, Jul 10, 2009.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Something's not right in the above: there's a wide difference between the two liter/100km values, but very little between the mpg values. Metric might be correct: there's roughly 12% difference between the two metric values.

    Should maybe 50.3 mpg be more like 56?
     
  2. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Actually the difference is about 3% - (50.3/48.9-1)*100=2.86%.

    50.3 MPG are 4.676L/100km, and 48.9MPG are 4.81L/100km, which still yields about 3% discrepancy ((4.81/4.67)-1*100=2.99%).

    MPG and L/100km are not in linear relationship to each other, hence the discrepancy in calculated % difference.

    Does your Prius report MPG or L/100km? or km/L?
     
  3. rcshaw777

    rcshaw777 Junior Member

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    Hi thanks for reply.

    Sorry supposedly to be ...

    HSI states 55.4 MPG (4.2 L/100km)
    Calculated 48.9 MPG (4.75 L/100km) - difference of about 12%; too far for my liking


    My Prius records in L/100km

    To get km/L - I take 100 divide by L/100km

    And then take the km/L divide by 0.43 to get MPG.

    I see most of the forumers here use MPG, therefore I converted it for easy reference for discussion.

    I am wondering why my reading is so much different between calculated and HSI?
     
  4. arnettjs

    arnettjs My gas guzzler pulls my boat!

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    I'm not seeing the huge difference between displayed and actual MPG that some people are reporting. I have a 2011 Prius with 4k miles on it. My last tank, filled up this morning, read like this:

    Miles = 405.9
    Gallons to refilll (first click-off always) = 8.827
    HSI = 47.6 MPG
    Actual = 45.984
    Difference = 3.514%

    Not of consequence, but I live in Central Texas where it has been in the triple digits for 50 days. The A/C in the Prius is on all the time. I also drive in Eco mode all the time. All that said, this is my first Prius and I absolutely love it!

    Thanks,
    Jeff
     
  5. eadams44

    eadams44 New Member

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    That's actually less than a 3% difference. Not 12%
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Check his post #643, he corrects a value.


    BTW, to convert liters/100km to US mpg, or back, do:

    235.2 divided by either value

    (235.2 is rough, you could add a few more decimal places, but it's close)
     
  7. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    Well, for use without the internet (shudder), just knowing a number is handy.
     
  9. Don3755

    Don3755 New Member

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    My HSI consistently reads about 3-4% higher than calculated. I am keeping a spreadsheet on my phone and my overall average in 10501 miles is 47.0083174MPG calculated. I walk to work so the driving is a mixture of local errands and a few longer trips. My best tank was 52.7MPG on a trip where the first 100 miles was at 55MPH and the rest was at 70MPH (HSI indicated 57MPH). My worst tank was 42MPG where we had a bunch of short errands over a three week period and the HSI indicated an average speed of 37MPH. Overall we are extremely happy with the Gen 3, our first Prius but our 14th Toyota.
     
  10. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Miles: 227.8

    Gal's: 4.201

    MPG Computer: 57.9

    MPG Calculated: 54.225

    10% Ethanol reg gas / Costco
     
  11. rcshaw777

    rcshaw777 Junior Member

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    I had my 2nd fill up recently (37.055L)

    Total distance travelled - 830.7km

    HSI states 4.3 L/100km (54.7 MPG)

    Calculated 4.46 L/100km (52.73 MPG) - difference of about 3.6%; thats more like it!
     
  12. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Miles: 419.3
    MPG Indicated: 57.8
    MPG Calculated: 55.294

    Reg gas/ with 10% Ethanol

    85% hwy driving, from Sea level up
    the Santiam Pass, 4,800 + feet, and fill
    up in Bend Oregon, about elev. 3,600 feet

    My wife and I with luggage at speeds 70 mph
    to city speeds

    Return to Seaside Oregon.

    Arrive Seaside (elev. sea level)
    Miles; 257.6
    fuel used: 4.386 gal's
    MPG Indicated: 63.7
    MPG Calculated: 58.73
     
  13. rcshaw777

    rcshaw777 Junior Member

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    I had my 3rd refill up recently (38.16 L)

    Total distance travelled - 868.6 km
    Fuel consumed - 38.16 L

    HSI states 4.1 L/100km (57.4 MPG)

    Calculated 4.39 L/100km (53.6 MPG) - difference of about 6.7%
     
  14. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Very similar to mine. Did you stop fuelling at the first click or did you push it further for a couple of click after the first one?
     
  15. CalvinL

    CalvinL 2013 Prius Persona Black Cherry Pearl

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    First, I top off to the nearest 1/4 or 1/2 gallon at the pump or the nearest 50 cents depending on my mood - I've always done this since I started driving. The best was still around 60+ MPG in some post I think I had way back when about a trip to Maryland or Virginia on my first Prius 2005. Anyways the juicy stuff and comparisons going from Current to Past:

    Current Prius Gen III - 2011 Prius II in Silver Classic
    Mileage: 573 miles
    Gasoline Consumed at Pump: 10.35 gallons
    HSI: 52.3mpg over 553 miles
    Calculated: (553/10.35) = 55.36 MPG
    Avg. Octane Rating: 87 (10% Ethanol)
    PSI of tire(s): 42PSI front, 40PSI rear
    Background: Stock car. Driving conditions - mostly driven on the main line jam packed L.I.E./495 (Long Island, NY) until I get my clean pass. Light-foot & hyper-miling. This is my 3rd Prius from the same dealership and the same Salesman (more or less) who also now owns a Prius. *lol*

    Past Prius Gen II - 2008 Prius in Silver Classic Package #02
    Mileage: 39351 miles
    Gasoline Consumed at Pump: 888 gallons
    HSI average: 46.20mpg
    Calculated: (39351/888) = 44.31 MPG
    Avg. Octane Rating: 87 (10% Ethanol)
    PSI of tire(s): 38 front and 36 rear? Basically whatever was recommended.
    Vehicle Background: Stock Car. Spirited driving. Kept tire inflation at recommended levels for mainly for comfort for Wifey. Tire change at around 39100 miles to the Continental ProContact with EcoPlus. The tires were replaced in the summer. The tires were quiet and handled well in wet weather. Not going to speculate on mileage or snow conditions due to the short time I had them.

    Past Prius Gen II - 2005 Prius in Seaside Blue Package #02
    Mileage: 27,635 miles
    Gasoline Consumed: 520.5 gallons
    Averaged HSI: 48.6mpg (avg of each trip)
    Actual MPG based on totals: (27635/520.5) = 53.09 MPG
    Average Octane rating: 89 (New York has 10% ethanol)
    PSI of tire(s): 42 PSI for all four tires.
    Vehicle Background: Stock car, stock tires. Lightfoot conservative driving style. Hyper-miling used. Tire inflation 2 PSI less max. New toy...
     
  16. Tw3nty

    Tw3nty Junior Member

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    This is my first post in this thread. Im so excited. I feel a part of the group. I have a 2004 Prius with 75000 miles.

    I went 410 miles.
    Filled my tank = 8 gallons
    For a grand total of 51.25 mpg

    My car read that my mpg was 53.7 mpg.

    That equates to about (if I calculated right) a 4.5% difference.
    By the way, does the cars mpg always reset when you refill?
     
  17. rcshaw777

    rcshaw777 Junior Member

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    I try to fill until it doesn't allow me; meaning getting a few clicks.
     
  18. pakitt

    pakitt Senior Member

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    Then your 4.5% is pretty good - meaning that either the Prius you have is more accurate (at least compared to mine...) or your fuel pumps are more accurate than elsewhere...
     
  19. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Miles: 370.0
    Gal's: 6.778
    MPG Computer: 57.1
    MPG Calculated: 54.588

    Reg gas with 10% Ethanol
     
  20. Bootjacker

    Bootjacker New Member

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    I filled to the top of the filler, drove 314 miles, filled to the top of the filler again and the computer said 47 mpg. Took 6.916. gallons. 45.4 mpg. I find that tolerable.