I Beat the EPA--Post 'em here

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Sep 5 2007, 08:12 PM) [snapback]507665[/snapback]</div>

Not if the trips are less than 10 minutes long. The key word is short, not town - the first five minutes really kill the mpg (like my 2.8 mile commute, which I bike as often as possible). Yeah, I know, we can put in the engine-block heater and significantly improve that, but that only works on the first trip of the day. (Or whenever you're somewhere with an available outlet and have more than a couple hours between trips and you know pretty closely when that next trip will be).

 

Sorry first picture post and having difficulty

 

I hope third times a charm.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PDK @ Sep 5 2007, 05:45 PM) [snapback]507550[/snapback]</div>

Me too. If I'm driving around town for more than 10 minutes or so, then I see a very sharp rebound. The real problem is the 3-, 4- or 5-mile trip than takes no more than 6 or 7 minutes. Even in this hot weather, I cannot keep the average much above 50/51 when consistently driving these short-mile and short-time commutes.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Sep 5 2007, 08:12 PM) [snapback]507665[/snapback]</div>

I'd love to find out more ways to squeeze some MPGs out of my short-commute life. I ride my bike sometimes, and that really helps (in more ways than one), but I have trouble meeting clients in the resulting condition.

I also think I could learn more if I made it to Elgin tomorrow, but it looks like that won't happen. Perhaps at the next Chicago Prius Group event I'll be able to attend and learn more.

 

I AM AMAZED!!!!!!!!

I've only had my Prius for a little over five weeks and I already got my first 500+ tank. 534 miles with one pip showing. 56.1 MPG by the MFD using 9.2 gallons pumped and a calculated 58.04 MPG. I'm off for a few days and my spreadsheet is at work so I can't give a lot of history but I've never had a tank below 50 MPG. My total calculated MPG for 3316 miles and 62.907 gallons is 52.71.

Most of this tank was highway miles (rural roads at 50+ and freeways up to 70) and one 70 mile trip was in the rain. My A/C and radio are always on. At least 50% was night driving with headlights. I only open my windows to get my mail. My tires are at factory 32/30. I used cruise control on one leg and it seemed to fit in with the others but I personnally prefer to be in control---keeps me alert. Temperatures were mid 50s oneway and low 70s the other.

I'm trying to attached photo from my cell phone.

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The last two bars are basically a long coast down from highway speeds so those numbers are insane. The first 4 bars were all on high capacity highways through downtown Houston (no different than interstates). Speed varied from 50 mph to 65 mph. Average speed was 55 mph for the segment and never dropped below 50 mph.



11011011

 

[attachmentid=11381][attachmentid=11382]<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 14 2004, 05:10 PM) [snapback]11617[/snapback]</div>

I just had my best MPG tank since owning my car in March. I couldn't quite make it to 62 MPG. However I'm off to a good start on my next tank, one I will hate to see go down. (See second picture)

Brad

 

[attachmentid=11381][attachmentid=11382]<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Apr 14 2004, 05:10 PM) [snapback]11617[/snapback]</div>

I just had my best MPG tank since owning my car in March. I couldn't quite make it to 62 MPG. However I'm off to a good start on my next tank, one I will hate to see go down. (See second picture)

Brad

 

Which EPA? '08? For the 1/2 yr that I've been driving mine. I've been getting 50-54MPG per tank. My tires are set to 42/40 and I use varying amounts of pipe insulator to block the front grills when morning temps are below 75F.

Note: I just re-enabled my EV button and I was surprised to get 75MPG on my 15min commute to work. Can't wait to repeat that on 1 full tank. Hmm that might take a while.

 

So it is probably very old news now, the new 2008 Prius EPA figures... 48city, 45highway, 46combined... but I feel so much better about my track record of getting 51 - 54 MPG average (on my 2007, currently has 3,100 miles on it) now... always thought that 60 City was just not very realistic for "average" driving (ie, no focused hypermiling techniques, block heaters, etc., just driving the car like any other car.) I had my best tank average on the last tank, at 54.1. This tank has dipped, and I realized later I filled up with 10% ethanol... will be interesting to see the final average, and then back to "pure" gasoline...

 

I figured I might as well post my best to date here too. This is also the first time I broke the 600mi/tank barrier. All thanks to my new EBH.

[attachmentid=11664]

 

wow 73, Congrats! wish I was getting that!! Looking into that EV button now!

 

Gee, and I thought hitting 60.0 mpg for the first time on a 354 mile trip was doing good! No EV button or EBH yet. And I had the A/C on some of the time. 90% highway.

Yesterday took a 245 mile trip with A/C blasting for my passenger and did 56.3 mpg with about 90% highway driving.

These are my best numbers so far. Now that Ive seen 60, anything less doesn't feel that great anymore. Is this addicting or what?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(h2photo @ Sep 25 2007, 11:20 PM) [snapback]517780[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Neicy @ Sep 26 2007, 02:55 AM) [snapback]517796[/snapback]</div>

Thanks. I honestly wouldn't really worry about the EV button all that much. I very rarely use it. My dramatic increase in my mpg was due to using my EBH every morning, even with our hot weather here in AZ I noticed a large improvement.

And yes this is very addicting lol.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(treehggr @ Sep 25 2007, 07:48 PM) [snapback]517683[/snapback]</div>

And now with the temps getting down into the 90's soon try adding 5psi more to the tires, betcha get over 75MPG.

Wayne

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FireEngineer @ Sep 26 2007, 09:34 AM) [snapback]517829[/snapback]</div>

Hi Wayne,

5 more psi to what level? I have seen recommendations mostly as high as 44/42 how high are you recommending? I have mine at 42/40 and getting 60 + MPG consistently on the last 5 tanks with no EBH or EV or any of the other do dads.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

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All highway at 65 MPH and above.