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Finally, a 70+ Tank!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Fuel Economy' started by TonyPSchaefer, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. Rae Vynn

    Rae Vynn Artist In Residence

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    :hail:Tony, that is just awesome!
     
  2. PoulStaugaard

    PoulStaugaard Now a PriusOwner

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    There are a few cheats that yoy can use, that will also work great for overall consumption:
    1. Whenever your destination is within 10 miles, use your bicycle, not your Prius.
    2. Whenever your destination is not in the direction the wind blows, use your bicycle, not your Prius.
    3. Whenever there is too much trafic or you can't P&G, use your bicycle, not your Prius.
    4. Whenever there are too many hills on your route, use your bicycle, not your Prius.
    5. Always carry your bicycle in your Prius, just in case you need it for one of the above reasons.
    6. Never ever go above 42 mph, unless you are using your bicycle or going downhill.
    If you follow these simple rules, you will get in excellent physical shape and save lots of gas :D. And you will improve your mileage :rolleyes:.
     
  3. Prius 07

    Prius 07 Member

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    Poul,

    I see a common thread in your post. Just one clarification - for:
    "5. Always carry your bicycle in your Prius, just in case you need it for one of the above reasons. "

    Do you tow the Prius behind the bicycle? Then you can really increase your MPG on the Prius! ;)
     
  4. PoulStaugaard

    PoulStaugaard Now a PriusOwner

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    No, I don't because you are not supposed to tow the Prius except with the front wheels lifted. I do take my bicycle with me on outings, though. There are just so many places where a car is not allowed.
     
  5. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    TONY - anytime! although i dont have a view of the HOLLYWOOD sign, i definitely have a view of the GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY!

    i just want to get into the 50's. again, i tried driving like a grandma, tried accelerating "briskly", this and that, can't get out of the 47's. then, i got the touring car itch and got rims and potenza's, went from 47.5 to 47.2 that's because of WANT, i went from 32 lbs on the stock rims/integritys to 38 with the touring/potenzas.

    can you please PM or post here how you drive? i realize and understand the specifics. 70 mpg is NOT basic driving, it's an ART.
     
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    KS,
    It's a common question. The Prius Gas tank has a plastic bladder inside to help control emissions. From fill-up to fill-up, the bladder can hold more or less than the last. For this reason, hand calculations are not always accurate. There are many many threads discussing, debating and analyzing this with answers to all the questions that just popped into your head. It's best if you find the answers via the "Search" function and for now just trust the computer.

    Genoz,
    All I can say is in post #17 and then maybe 36. There's not a lot more I can add. But honestly, I would say that route selection is just as important as driving style. I intentionally take a longer and slower route which most people wouldn't. And for years I've read about others achieving stellar mileage and swore that there was something I was missing. That they were able to do something I was unable to. That they were somehow withholding their secrets. In fact, I told Wayne Gerdes once that I wanted to ride with him as he drove my commute just to see if it were possible to get higher than I was getting at the time. Then I settled in on the Zen-like understanding that it's not about comparing my mileage to someone else's mileage; it's about doing the best I can in the situation I'm in. Take pleasure in the knowledge that the mileage you complain about is double the mileage others have to work to achieve.
     
  7. kscableguy

    kscableguy Prius Owner

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    Yea i knew about the plastic/ruber bladder, so I can understand how that can cause some problems figuring your MPG. Saw other posts where people were only getting 5 gallons into their cars and then sometimes up to 9 gallons in.
     
  8. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    TONY "P" - how true, or as the youngin's say..........TRUE DAT. ok, with my past daily driver (06 Caddy STS V8), your comments could not be more accurate!

    however, in your honest opinion, is 47 mpg decent enough? i can't break this mark and after adding the touring rims and potenza's, it's really in the upper 46's. i dont punch it, but i'm NOT a moving road block either. i know you know what this means.

    is this good? this is so-cal, i do wear a suit and tie to work, i have to turn on the air, otherwise i'm gonna MElttttttttttttttttttttttt..........................
     
  9. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    TONY P - another thing, you said that there are always people better than you in getting more mpg's, ok, but your information has been a great help to those like me.

    thank you! dont need to be so humble!

    another thing, my daughter just got her magnetic grey, #2..............she's only 19 and she's already into the "BEAT HER OLD MAN IN MPG" mode. i think she'll beat me soon, no doubt.
     
  10. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    If you want to read me say it, then sure, 46 is not as good as it gets.

    So let's get serious about it. Check this thread: http://priuschat.com/forums/fuel-economy/44627-50-mpg-newbies-quest.html
    It seems to have some good and relevant information that you can use.

    And yeah, I understand about the suit and tie. I got those too and my wife's getting tired of the dirty collar. Luckily it's cool enough around here in the morning so far to not be a problem but in the evening I take the tie off as soon as I get in the car and unbutton the top two.
     
  11. doubleg2005

    doubleg2005 Member

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    Did you check the sidewall on your potenzas? I have the touring edition and the sidewall on those is 51 (i run them 49/47) so you may be able to air em up a little more and that could get you over 50 mpg.
     
  12. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    DOUBLEG2005 - yes.............................i did. actually, when i got these tires, i immediately pumped them up to 44 psi, the maximum the sidewall called for. not getting too technical, my personal feelings are that you should not exceed the recommended psi range.......................i hear that many are going 50 psi, even MORE! so, being conservative, 44 psi cold means 48 psi HOT. that makes me a bit nervous.......................again, i know that i'm conservative.

    but............THANK YOU for your advice.

    cheers.
     
  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Nicely done Tony...next it's time to learn the 4 stages of hybrid operation buddy!!
     
  14. lucky1

    lucky1 Member

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    Over 70 mpg for a U.S. gallon, that's real impressive. I did 70 mpg for a Canadian gallon and was pretty happy. I guess i have to get 80 Canadian to
    to match your 70.
     
  15. Genoz World

    Genoz World ZEN-style living

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    hello DR FUSCO. i like your "troll slayer" description. been aggrevated by quite a few lately. did you hear about my 2nd addition in the family???
     
  16. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    Congrats, Tony!

    Since meeting you this past fall at one of Wayne's EBH installation parties, I've been working very hard to learn and to modify high-mileage driving techniques. The first thing was learning not just P&G but anticipatory driving -- I think that may be the biggest help. Second was grill blocking for winter driving. Third was getting the tire pressure out of the 30s. I've seen each of these improve my mileage on a regular basis.

    This spring I started to learn about driving at higher speeds with better MPGs. I think the best speed/MPG combo when you really need to go somewhere is tough to figure. I've come to choose state highways as the way to go. It may take me longer, but I get to see more along the way. I travel at 45 to 60 on the highway and get plenty of glide in town!

    I was thrilled to see my MPGs increase steadily, and I set two goals for this summer: 1) Get a 600+ mile tank and 2) Get a 60+ MPG tank. Set my sights a bit low, because just a couple of days into official Summer, I got both: 601 miles and 60.5 MPG!

    Thanks to you, Wayne & many, many others who've posted what they've learned, I've been steadily increasing my mileage and driving more safely and comfortably. Next goal? To get rid of tailgaters. After that, I'll take on a 65 MPG tank.

    Great Job, Tony!
     
  17. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

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    I didn't make it on my quest, I held 70 + for the first 200 miles then one day of driving in the rain knocked me down to 68 after about 300 total miles on the tank. Then on the 4th me and the wife decided to take a drive to Cedar Point (100 miles each way) naturally I took the Turnpike and after the trip I ended up at the 500 mile mark at 62 MPG. The next 100 miles I was unable to gain anything back. Still ended up with my best tank ever at 62.0 MPG.
     
  18. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    The Four Stages of Hybrid Operation:

    1. Smug

    2. Relaxed

    3. Confident

    4. Even More Smug
     
  19. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Whoa. Let's stick within the realms of actual possibilities. :)

    Nature is a mother.
    And when your wife says, "we're taking a drive and you're driving," you're stuck. We all understand.
     
  20. jamieoliver

    jamieoliver New Member

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    how did you do that?

    I am sooo envy you for your achievement! congratulations! hats off for you!