dino

I'm from California, so the change in weather hasn't been too drastic(maybe about 10-15 degree F difference). But I have noticed my MPG has dropped to 23.5 MPG, from a consistent 26 during my commute.

Anyone else notice the same trends?

Anything I can do to make up for the reduced mileage? More air in tires?

Happy holidays, everyone.

herbvdh

If you only dropped to 23.5 you are doing wonderful!!! I went from 26.5 plunged to 22.5 When I had my 2004 Prius I went from 50 down to 40 once. Just look at the average temperature in the AM we took a severe hit here several mornings were single digits. I am now back to 24.5 this tank. I did a graph once on temperature versus MPG and it matches temperate down and MPG down.

ntran18

iTrader: (27)

It is noted in priuschat that MPG suffers when the temperature drops. My 06 prius MPG dropped these past weeks.

jennatx

During the approximately 6 months I've had my 2008 RX400h my MPG has hovered right around 23.5; no noticeable change from 100 degree weather to 50-60 degree that we're having now in San Antonio. That said, I've noticed that in colder temps the ICE remains on much more frequently, which I assume is done to keep the coolant hot enough to heat the cabin. If I turn off the auto-temp control altogether then the engine shuts off as it did in the summer.

jtaylor3

Mine has goes down in hot weather when the A/C runs a lot and goes down when it is cold as well. I definitely get the best mileage by far when the weather is mild. In my case, I'm noticing about a 2 mpg difference give or take in both hot and cold weather.

Jeff
08 RX400h

thomas1

I too am in California, probably the lousy Air Resources Board and changes to the gas formula for winter...They are like the gestapo of the left coast....

herbvdh

I was told that the ICE runs to keep the emissions components warmed up.

rcy

All of the above. Winter gas, longer ICE run times to keep the coolant hot for cabin climate control and longer run times to keep the catalytic converter at proper temp for emissions control. Every year for the past three summer/winter change that I've had my RX400h, I see mileage change from 8.1 l/100kmk to 9.1 l/100km - give or take a few .x litres.

MerlinT

Winter, for me, means 17-19 Mpg. Still, I've got 23-25 Mpg last Xmas, on a long ride (1200 miles)

Cruiter

All cars with really cold blocks from the winter weather will get less mileage for the 1st 7 miles or so. Even the hybrids who's traction bats are stone cold will get less from them until they warm up. It's just reality. But once warmed on longer trips (more than 5 miles or so) they should return normal mileage.