MPG

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amyprius-l.a. @ Jan 24 2007, 12:32 PM) [snapback]380163[/snapback]</div>

Your car is way too new to worry about this.
1. Do you know if the tank was full when you got the car (odds are it wasn't)?
2. How much air is in the tires? A lot of people put higher pressure in to help the mileage, search the forum for data.
3. What does the computer say you're getting for mpg? This is a pretty accurate number on the Prius.
4. Enjoy your new car. If after a few tanks you're still getting abnormally low mileage there are a lot of tips in this forum to help boost it up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amyprius-l.a. @ Jan 24 2007, 01:32 PM) [snapback]380163[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to the site--and the "Guess Gauge". Generally the calculated mpg will be within 2mpg as noted on the display. For peace of mind, go to the gas station and fill up (slowly). I like to reset the MFD so I have the average on the current tank. Check the mileage on the next tank. Even at my worst I buy gas twice a month.

There is a ton of useful information here and we're happy to help. Just sit back and enjoy the strange new experience.

 

WELCOME amyprius-l.a.

At this point, you cannot possibly know or judge your fuel economy. Your Prius is spanking new and will gain efficiency as you clock miles. Some Prius owners have seen increasing MPGs up to 6,000 miles or more on the odometer. In addition, the "GUESS GAUGE" pips are not linear so "one pip above half" has little significance as to how many gallons of fuel have been consumed.

Many Prius owners keep a spreadsheet record of miles traveled vs. fuel pumped which can be acceptably accurate over an extended period. I have found in over two years of such records, that the MFD [Multi Function Display] MPG indication is optimistic by 2% to 3% when compared with my spreadsheet records - "close enough for government work." Enjoy your new Prius, watch the MPGs climb as you learn to drive it.

I believe you will find that the MFD will noticeably change your driving habits - for the better and more efficient.

 

Amy,

Please answer the questions in http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&show...st&p=380173 as well still do not have enough info. Also look at my hints at http://priuschat.com/index.php?s=&show...st&p=378539.

How short are these trips in time and mileage? How much of it is highway and what's the typical speed?

My first "tank" only yielded 38 mpg per my calculations (MFD was reading 45.1 mpg). My lifetime avg. is ~45.5 mpg now.

Also, FWIW, you can see what Consumer Reports got when they tested the Prius along w/the other 10 most fuel efficient cars they've tested as of 2/06 at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/bu...s-206/index.htm, they got 44 overall, 35 city/50 highway.

Also, when CR tested 5 budget cars (Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent and Toyota Yaris) in 12/06, the most efficient automatic transmission car was the Yaris: 33 overall, 23 city/44 highway. The most efficient manual was also the Yaris: 34 overall, 26 city/42 highway.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amyprius-l.a. @ Jan 24 2007, 01:32 PM) [snapback]380163[/snapback]</div>

I have had my 2006 Prius for 6 months and also am getting low mileage (30 mpg)- and yes I have followed all the ideas for increasing mpg- However I drive 1 1/2 miles to and from work with 3 stop lights. Is my problem simply that you don't get good mileage on such a short trip? :huh:

 

You'll only get 25 MPG (or lower) for the first five minutes of driving as the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) warms up and warms the catalytic converter. (Yes, I know, some people use EV mode and engine block heaters and such to minimize the start-up hit, but I doubt amyprius-l.a. and csh.msw have gone that extreme yet.) Your next five minutes may get you up to cruising MPG, depending on hills and traffic. The Prius ICE definitely loosens up with use, improving MPG.

So, if you've got low miles (Congratulations on your new car!) and drive short trips, your milage will suck. Also, even in LA, winter takes a toll on milage. Remember, you're getting better milage than you were in your previous car...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csh.msw @ Jan 29 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]382651[/snapback]</div>

Yes, you trips are WAY too short. Your engine has hardly warmed up in that distance and needs to run much of that way to get the catalyst to operating temperature. This has negated a lot of the fuel economy advantage.

What was your previous car and what mileage did it get over the same route?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(amyprius-l.a. @ Jan 29 2007, 09:53 PM) [snapback]382679[/snapback]</div>

Can you please answer my questions in my earlier posts? We're trying to help you be we need more info.

For both of you, if your drives are at mostly low speed as well, you might benefit from the EV switch mod.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csh.msw @ Jan 29 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]382651[/snapback]</div>

Your average seems to be what I get in my 1st 5 minute bar. The truth is the car needs to run longer distances to get better mpg. The grill is blocked and tires at 42/40?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jan 30 2007, 01:24 AM) [snapback]382689[/snapback]</div>

Thanks Bill, for the info- Your comments are reassuring to me. I indeed love my new Prius, which I have named Priscilla.
My son is getting married on Feb 17 in NYC and asked if he could use my Prius as the decorated drive-away car at the end of the reception - instead of a Limo- He wants to make a statement. Go Steven Go.
Carol

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(csh.msw @ Jan 29 2007, 08:40 PM) [snapback]382651[/snapback]</div>

That is it in a nutshell. I have about a 2.5 mile commute and I get around 30 - 38 mpg on those trips. As soon as I get it on the highway, I am getting between 50 and 53 miles per gallon.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bhaynnes @ Jan 31 2007, 03:56 PM) [snapback]383386[/snapback]</div>

Hi All,

People with 1 to 3 mile commutes might look into adding the EV switch. If the top speed of the commute is below 35 mph, you might be able to EV most of one way, and use the engine the entire length of the return trip. That way, the engine warm-up time would not be as badly wasted, but go into charging the battery.

I doubt this would result in the mid 50 or 60 mpg range, but it would probably get the mileage up into the high 40's.

And remember as Fireengineer and Xcell say "Glide Glide Glide!".