Is hypermiling killing the battery?

Purchased my Prius c about two weeks ago. And I have to say this post has turned my idea of efficient driving on its head.

The last 3 days I have improved my mpgs (car measured) from 55 to 65 to 70 today. Now granted that's on my way to work which generally moves down in elevation. However I feel like I achieved this increase by driving like OP. I accelerate from red using the upper half of the eco bar ( what I've gathered is ICE range, so coupled electric an gas), once speed is achieved, I let off the gas until it lights up EV. Then I keep it in electric until, ideally a stop sign or red light. Now if I accidentally go over 41, I usually let off gas, and resume electric driving, consciously.

Now, if this is bad in the long hall for the battery, I want to know because I plan on keeping her for 8 years or so. But I am confused because I do see good mpgs with this technique. And this post has many conflicting thoughts.

Please let me know and point me in the direction that will help clear the air, because this post was not that.

Edit: for reference my one way commute is 11miles 35-45mph speed limits with maybe 10-15 stops. Mpg on the way home is another route but with no traffic I get 50mpg (it's mostly highway). I do not try and intentionally fully drain the traction battery as OP mentioned, and it seems the computers wouldn't even allow that to happen, as I've never been below two ticks.

 

You are not hurting the battery. Toyota has the system set to protect the battery. Do what you want to improve mpg. Have fun!


iPhone ?

 

I have been driving very similar to you for over a decade and our oldest Prius is doing great.

 

Make this post a sticky

 

I get between 80 and 87 mpg in my daily commute of about 50 km.

And drive it 100% like conservatively driving a normal car. Accelerate reasonably, staying out or "power." Don't wait until you're almost to the light before you let off the gas and hit the brake... LOL. Never even look to see if the ICE is on or not.

 

I'm so confused. I am now getting 35mpg and trying to get the glide thing going. If I accelerate and take my foot off of gas it de-accelerates fast. My friend mentioned on hwy he goes 70 with yellow light(using battery) I started to get the yellow lights to stay on with my foot resting on gas pedal and since then my gas is depleting quicker

 

Not sure what the yellow light is, but you can’t hyper mile going 70

 

Like Bisco said, can't hypermile at 70.

What I've noticed (at least for myself) to get the best gas mileage I try NOT to drive Electric only. Seems when I do, the engine just runs harder once it engages in order to get the battery charged back up.. I get the best mileage just driving it normal. Coasting to stop lights when possible, keeping the heat/AC off when possible. In regards to heat, set it around 80 and the engine tends to run quite often. Around 75 degrees and it seems much better. Totally off and it gets the best.

 

Also, some people have different terrain.

When I know a stop is coming up, I do use a bit more "EV" if/when necessary.
And if I know a downhill is coming up, I do use as much "EV" that I can within reason,
knowing I can collect some regen (and not friction) under stopping power to gain that power.

Some people do not have hills for terrain (i.e. flat) and cannot take advantage of it.

However, main points that may/can take away from mpg is excessive speed, traffic, terrain, stops/starts.

 

This car absolutely loves going 55mph. If you can do that, then you're going to get good to great mileage.

 

I think I c the problem: