Really enjoying the Prius experience

I am now into week 2 with the car and have enjoyed learning how it responds to various inputs from me the driver. I averaged 56.7 mpg on my first tank which is far better than I expected. I find that I get my best mpg at 55 mph with the cruise control on, with the exception of the few times when the car shuts the engine off (coasting, braking and low speed). It is not as solid and smooth as the Buick it replaced but with this kind of mpg...who cares! I look forward to breaking the engine in and seeing what this car is really capable of. My first Toyota and so far so good.

 

My route to work is all gradual incline, about 5 miles to the freeway which is 35 and 40 mph. About 15 miles at 65 mph and about 25 miles at 55 mph. I started getting off the freeway (65 mph) one exit early because at 4:30 a.m. the frontage road is all mine. I thought getting off the freeway earlier would increase my drive time but it actually stayed about the same because I avoid 2 stops. I get slightly better mpg. driving home and follow the same route. When I pulled in the driveway this evening, my average for the last 260 miles was 58.5 mpg.

My friends joke because I did not really have to change my driving style at all, I was born with a orange triangle on my back (slow moving vehicle). The stress of getting pulled over and getting a speeding ticket just does not seem worth it. Relax, enjoy the scenery and let everyone else show up with high blood pressure!