New to Prius and PriusChat

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricdisciple @ Apr 6 2007, 11:56 AM) [snapback]418791[/snapback]</div>

Greetings Jonathan!

I'm a new registered user as well, although I've been 'lurking' for months. There is alot of fantastic information on the board, just use the search feature...as I'm sure others will tell you.

As for your Touring edition question, I believe the 07 models were the first to feature a touring edition, so yours should be a standard 'base' model. Enjoy!

Mike

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricdisciple @ Apr 6 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]418791[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to Priuschat Jonathan and Mike.

Regarding Hypermiling, for some good basic tips you can implement, I would recommend the driving tips page from Tony Schaeffer's Chicago Prius Group page. http://www.chicagopriusgroup.com/
The links off that site will also lead you to good information.

For something more complex see "Beating the EPA - The Why’s and how to Hypermile" by Wayne Gerdes
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1510

 

Jonathan: Welcome to Priuschat. Welcome to what I would hazard to guess is the largest forum of chat room folks dedicated to a single model of car, although there are forums to talk about other cars. You should be able to get answers to just about any question you have regarding the use and care of your new car.

Hyper mileage addicts go to pretty extreme measures, but you can get great mileage yourself without driving shoeless or ditching the spare tire, etc.

1. It's better to slow down gradually when approaching a red light or stop sign, rather than decelerating suddenly like most people do. You'll make better use of the regenerative braking which will help keep the battery charged. Likewise, avoid rocket starts out of an intersection when the light turns green.

2. Some folks suggest turning off the airconditioner, but others say to leave it on and just set the desired temperature. I tend to agree with the latter group because the battery pack temperature is controlled via the inside of the car (notice the intake on the right side of the passenger seat back by the door). The battery operates most efficiently within about the same temperature range you and I operate in; keeping the battery from getting excessively hot or cold will allow it to work better. The airconditioner will help the battery as much as it will help you.

3. Don't carry around a lot of stuff you don't normally need for driving.

4. Use the air conditioner rather than rolling down the windows in hot weather. The drag from open windows will cut mileage more than the drag of operating the A/C. I open my windows for a minute or two on hot days to let some of the superheated air escape, then I shut the windows and use the A/C.

Driving normally, the Prius will automatically give you great mileage. There isn't any big trick to it. You should know, if you don't already, that you will likely not get the EPA 51/60 mpg; very few of us do. The calibration standards EPA uses don't give accurate mileage for any car, but are skewed even further with hybrids.

Have fun. Check the "search" function for answers to your questions.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricdisciple @ Apr 6 2007, 12:56 PM) [snapback]418791[/snapback]</div>

Jonathan,

Just wanted to take the time to say Hello. Many-Many Yrs. ago I grew up in Frankfort, Ky. I am now 60 Yr. old guy and live in Franklin, TN. I am So. of Nashville, TN. by 30 miles. My parents, brothers, etc. were all living in Frankfort. Parents are both gone now.

I think you will really enjoy your Prius. My Sis-In-Law has a Prius that she purchased new. She really likes it. I think they have had it now for over one year. Purchased new.

I own a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid. Waiting to see the New Prius when it comes out. The one that will have the New Battery Pack and get I think like 80 MPG. I think it will be awhile, like maybe the end of 2008 as a 2009 Model.

Take care,

Terry Honaker (tiger)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricdisciple @ Apr 6 2007, 10:56 AM) [snapback]418791[/snapback]</div>

Welcome to the site. 2007 is the first year for the Touring edition. Basically the only noticable difference is the larger spoiler.

 

Welcome to PriusChat Jonathan and Mike.

Jonathan, you might like to look at New owner? Want MPG help? Read this first, great info from one of our own before you start hypermiling. To understand the "mechanics" of your car, check out Introduction to Prius Power Flow. And if you want to understand why you can glide sometime and other times the ICE insists on running, read The Five Stages of Prius Hybrid Operation.

That should occupy your time for a few hours...