Not trolling... low mileage.

How steep are the hills that you are going up and down? what kind of fuel are you using and do you ever drive more than about 2.5 miles? Do you have the tires inflated to the forum suggested 42f/40r? Sometimes it takes me a few miles to warm up the engine the whole way. it really sounds like your on a really short trip.

Why don't you take the car on a trip just to try it and see if you get better results.

 

have you tried grill blocking? do a search, you'll find it. it's basically taking insulation "noodles" (for piping) and cover up the lower grill so your engine can warm up and provide you with warmth... if it tends to always be chilly <50 degrees.. your engine will never warm up properly.. the down hill descents can only be utilized to a certain percentage. leaving the engine off and supplying you with warmth will cool it rapidly. what will happen is it may go into warm-up state and idle.

the only way to get pure ev is by having the car already warmed up and cruising though a parking lot... or install an EV switch... (at least then, you know when it disengages by the double beeps it provides.)

 

Welcome, Hedgehog.

I'm reading a little bit into this, but it appears you are somewhat disappointed in the mileage (35MPG), though not enough to junk your car. Chances are pretty good that you wouldn't find another car to give you better mileage in your circumstance. I have a slightly longer commute, but it typically lasts less than 10 minutes. No great elevation changes, but I do have some real temperature extremes. Great mileage when it is 90; terrible mileage when it is -10.

The reason I have better overall mileage is that I use the car for trips and to visit clients. I also use an electric engine block heater (EBH) and grill blocks.

I agree with Efusco that the EBH is the only thing likely to increase your mileage, unless you change your commute or drive the car more often on longer excursions. I'm not recommending you just go out and drive the car to get better gas mileage, though!

Just curious: How many miles have you put on the car over what period?

 

You would be a perfect candidate for a plug-in. While the cost is high you could virtually eliminate gasoline usage for a commute you describe.

 

I agree with earlier posters -- your engine does not have time to warm up during your short trip. EBH is a good solution.

 

2.5 miles each way, that's 25 miles a week for a 5 day week. 35 mpg it cost you less than a gallon a week to get to and from work, pretty good I reckon!

You would commute 1250 miles a year given a 50 week work year so at 35 miles per gallon you will use under 36 gallons per year and a 8 gallon fill up you will fill up less than 5 times a year. Pretty good eh?

My personal opinion, you would be a perfect candidate for an all electric car or a bicycle with electric assist and a carry rack.

What was your average mileage in your last car on similar commutes? how did it compare to the EPA published mileage?
I'll get howled down for saying this but I have always said, if you drive short distances all the time, that is you average less than about 10,000 miles a year there are better cars in the Toyota line-up for you. Too late now as you have the Prius. Enjoy it and enjoy knowing that you have a great car, producing very low emissions and the next person to own your car will likely have a longer commute to clock up some miles on that beastie.

 

As a not-yet-Prius owner near Seattle, I must vote with the replies suggesting that your distance is too short to warm up. While my Subaru can get better tanks in ideal condition than you are seeing, its EPA rating is less than half of yours, and under your conditions, it gets less than half your economy, as reported on a ScanGauge.

If circumstances permit, try walking or biking.

 

And don't use "B".

 

The 1st 5 minutes figure 25mpg, then 50mpg for the 2nd 5 minutes. You'll see EPA & better numbers after the engine warms up--coolant temp ~170F. Inflate your tires & install the EBH. I'm not sure blocking your grill will help. Otherwise you're doing about the best you can.

 

I really think that your commute is too short. I have that problem. I see a real difference if I have to drive at least 20 minutes. Sorry for the bad news...

 

The only car that is appropriate for a commute like the one you describe is an electric vehicle. In fact, it is *ideal* for that. Burning gasoline to move your multi-thousand-pounds of vehicle over this distance is closer to using a sledge hammer to mount a tack in the wall. You are serious that you've never driven the car longer than your 2.5 mile commute?

Dare I suggest a bicycle while we wait for EVs to come back?

I'm not all bad news... the GOOD news here is that if you were driving any other gasoline vehicle, you wouldn't touch 35 mpg in the situation you describe.

Probably the saddest part in your message here is that you have to mention that you aren't trolling. Sad state of affairs when we have to stipulate stuff like that. :sigh:

 

is there another way you can go so you can avoid these hills? even a bit longer with flat terrain will be more beneficial than to tackle those hills. just food for thought and no, i didnt read the whole thread.

 

Actually Darell it's most often the posters who say they're not trolling who most often are, but I'm not saying the OP is in this thread.

 

I've driven my Prius throughout winter and have never gone under 40 mpg. New Hampshire gets cold, too.

 

Right now, poor Rudy is getting about 36-39 mpg. *sigh*
90% of his trips are taking DH to and from work. It's a mile each way.
Yes, when the weather warms up (and dries out), DH will walk to/from work again, but since he works 12-hr shifts, I'd hate for him to have to be cold and damp all day!

It sucks, but it is reality with short trips. Hills don't help, though I know what Seattle's hills are like! Yikes!

 

Indeed. And it usually concerns me when the (single post) OP doesn't bother coming back to read/comment.

But there are no link-backs, so we're good. I hope.

 

Unless our Hedgehog just doesn't like to sign in, he/she hasn't returned since the apparently one-and-done post.

Oh well. The thread was almost helpful to someone who was almost with us.

 

44/42!?!?

I was always told to go 42/40 and not push your luck with the stock tires.