I Beat the EPA--Post 'em here

Hi AZGeek--

This was done in a friend's vehicle so sadly it isn't quite the same setup as I have. However, you don't need a splitter - the ScanGauge's should be able to be plugged in one after the other, with a cable linking the two SG's together. At least that's how he had it.

I may invest in a second ScanGauge soon; if it works in the same fashion, remind me and I'll keep you posted.

 

I have been driving my 2005 Prius since February 2011 when I traded my Lincoln Towncar in for my wife's 2011 Prius.

Over the period that I have been driving the car - using actual calculatons based on mileage and gallons consumed - I have averaged 54.7 miles per gallon on the 2005 Prius.

In the spring and summer months my average is higher. As an example - my last tank I averaged 60.89 mpg - miles on this tank 643 miles - little over 10.5 gallons of gas used to fill up. The reading per the car was showing 62.4 on this tank - but it is usually higher than the actual.

I generally avoid the interstate and use state highways - keep the speed at or just above 55 MPH - and the road is generally faily level. Just have to deal with a few red lights!

I have a scan guage II - but haven't used it to assist in driving yet.

 

It's been a while since I've updated Mithril's info on this thread - August of '11 - but I thought I'd share some recent "beat the EPA" info at this time.

One: Just filled up today and Mithril managed his first "legitimate" 60+ mpg tank ... going 277 miles on only 4.6 gallons in mostly round-town driving for a hand-calc avg of 60.2 mpg. This was a "short" fill-up even for me, because I decided to fill-up today in preparation for a road trip tomorrow morning.

Two: With the above fill-up, Mithril has set a new "personal best" for mpg over an entire month: 59.6 over two fill-ups covering a total of about 640 miles during the month of May.

ADDING a PS for rogerhst (just above): That's great! How many miles on your '05 so far? And welcome, by the way ... I just noticed your message count.

 

Icreated a new thread in the GenIII Fuel Economy section titled "Top 20 MPG Record Holders" If you think you should be in the top 20 MPG PC Members then check out the thread!

Top 20 MPG Record Holders | PriusChat

 

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In Florida w A/C on 2008 Prius 48K Miles. Notice 500 Miles on tank. So not fantacy! USE CRUISE!
It uis annoying that if tank is low and I add 3 gallons so I can wai8 to fill up at better price The Guage does not reflect the change 'till a fill up?

 

Hello, Newb here and this is without a doubt a favorite place for me these days since purchasing my 2007 with 65k miles in Sept 2012. I'm only 3 tanks (and months!) in and I'm so loving this great car. The young woman I purchased it from reported getting routine high 40s in Sarasota occasionally spiking to mid 50s when she 'tried'. She wisely clued me to this site and hypermiling on the web so I thought that with my experience I'd likely be able to get those 50s here in Orlando. Imagine my delight now 3 full 600 mile tanks later that I have managed a cool 62, 66 and currently 67.5 while strictly driving my commute only. I'll elaborate on that in a subsequent post. It's always nice going home from work, but this car makes it fun to Go to work too!

 

Tooting my horn again- not even sure where the horn button is yet - but thought I owed a description of my tanks thusfar and speculate as to why this brilliant car is delivering so well for me. Please comment if moved to do so by my assumptions and findings. First about my commute. 36 miles roundtrip to the airport from the Dr. Phillips area staying 95% 45mph speed limit roads - no highway. Flat. Reasonable traffic as I work afternoons an travel at 11 am and 8:30 pm. I'm Positive my Prius loves her some warm temps as it is almost always reflected in the days mpg. I have not had climate control on since learning how to turn it off. Right side window down about a quarter is all Ive needed. A/C will be on next March or April- I'm not a glutton for punishment. Tires 44 front 42 rear checked weekly because one loses air. All Florida gas has ethanol I'm told so I'm not choosy. Here's something you might argue with- I don't pulse and glide as much as I try like hell to go electric and regen. Sweet spot when this car is warm is 47-49mph. I always have an indicated 70-85mpg at mid-commute. In fact I think if my commute was 5-10 miles further Id average over 70mpg. Which even now sounds preposterous but this car has made me a believer! I use the right lane but don't slow anybody down. I glide to lights and "drive with no brakes". I corner like a drifter but don't squeel the tires. Ive done a Lot of driving for 44 years and Love road trips but these days its about the commute and 12 to 14 k miles per year. Ive never enjoyed driving more than now - or felt safer and more comfy in my quiet and competent Prius.

 

Take a picture of your best mpg over 500 miles and submit it in the Top 20 MPG Records thread in the GenIII forum.

 

07 Touring, Bridgestone Ecopia 422's 40 psi front 38 rear, midgrade fuel as usual, 0w 20 Mobil Advanced fuel Economy, A/C running for half the mileage and this is the FIRST time I've beaten the EPA. However, my commute is from Murrieta to San Diego on I-15 through severe hills at an average speed of 70-75 and I just got my best trip of 49.0 so I think that's pretty decent.

 

It's your speed.

 

For a Gen 1 Prius I am Amazed at that MPG!!! Congrats!!

 

Virtually every tank I've ever measured was better than the EPA, whether I used the built in calculator, or did it myself based on miles over gallons. Only during the coldest part of winter when the temperatures hover in the teens or lower for days at a time do I get as bad as the EPA got.

 

Regular driving on I-5 and around town in Salem, OR. Probably 50/50 hwy and city driving. Utilizing lots of tips on this site and online. Mastering pulse driving, coasting, and general good Prius driving habits. Have only owned it for a week! Love, love, love it.

 

I drive an '08, and my every other day fill up is about 325-375 miles. My last reading was 59.7 mpg. Primarily driving freeway speeds 55-65 mph.

 

Here are some of mine. My running average on Fuelly is exactly 60mpg. Always a bit less than what I screen shot. I live in Florida. Drive flat lands, average of 45 miles per day. Over 20 miles each way to anywhere (my house is in the sticks). Drive speeds from 30-55mph. 2005 Prius with 85,000 miles. Hybrid battery replaced at 79,000. I bought at 80,000. Also, I refill at 2 pips left in the tank still, never lower, and usually about ~7 gallons go in.

 

Well my steed has been going along just fine. She got a new battery pack the day before I bought her last weekend (81K miles but the original battery probably received poor ventilation). Since the last fill-up and after 350 miles, she's been getting 50.1 MPG on a very mixed environment. Everything from stop-and-go traffic to drive thrus, to 70 MPH highways with the A/C on at all times -- nothing is off the table. My consumption graph was reading 75 for a five minute period when I was (safely) following behind a semi at 60 MPH cruising. The best part of this is that I can keep my electric A/C on instead of having to unroll my windows. I wonder how many people, finances allowing, would buy a Prius solely to get the comfort of air conditioning with superb mileage.

 

No pictures but here was my last (and best) fill-up.
2008 standard Prius.
605 trip miles with 2 complete gas bars showing.
I do not like to go below 2 bars so I refill immediately after the third bar goes out.
All city (no interstate) driving.
Normally get ~50 miles per bar.
Screen showed 69.2 MPG.
Calculation showed ~66.5 MPG.

 

Just got 56mpg on a 212.8 mile trip from Bakersfield to Tustin, CA. 3.8 gallons or so.

2008 Gen II

 

It's been "forever" since I've been here, but here's the latest on Mithril after 44,638 miles ...

Item 1: Lifetime MPG has been trending upward since purchasing new in August of '08, and now stands at JUST over 50.5 . I have to wonder how much higher it would be if NOT for these damned Indiana winters!

Item 2: We recently took about an 815 mile trip to-and-from Pittsburgh, PA, with a total of about 625 pounds of "stuff" in the car ... including three adult passengers. Including about 20 miles of driving around Pittsburgh and another 22 miles around Lafayette the day after we returned, Mithril averaged 57.3 mpg for the 857 miles. As Samwise Gamgee might say, "I think I'm gettin' the hang of this."

PS: Both items are posted here with all due (?) apologies to Phil LeBeau of CNBC ...

 

2008 Prius
26 miles to work.
Light A/C to work ; no A/C to home ; small crack in windows.
Average about 30 MPH.
Pulse and glide.
Avoid interstates.
Tire pressure about 50+.
Morning temperature 85 ; afternoon temperature 100.
636 miles on the trip odometer with 2 bars showing.
Display currently showing 67.9 MPG (and rising).
I am going for 700 miles...or more