bagwell

nope, there's a few techniques to getting great mileage in these cars....go to PRIUSCHAT.COM if you're interested in leanring how to achieve BETTER than EPA mileage numbers.

some guys get 70+mpg today with no mods.

mmarshall

Quote:
Originally Posted by toy4two
Not in real life, its more like 41-45MPG according to AutoWeek long term test. That old EPA test is going to KILL hybrid economy claims next year.




toy4two is correct. Unless you really use some extreme tactics that are impractical for normal driving or live and drive in 100% ideal conditions ( most people don't ) 45 MPG is about the average for these cars in normal day-to-day driving. Remember, unlike conventional cars, true ( parallel ) hybrids like the Prius generally don't get their best mileage under highway conditions. Most people get around 45 because that is just about what this car gives under moderate temperature conditions in mixed driving....and this figure is backed up by several car mag tests as well.

mmarshall

Yeah.....with stuff like THIS?
http://www.turbonator.com/
( This, BTW, was downloaded directly from the priuschat.com website )

bagwell

yeh...sure, that's it...just buy 100 of those...

got this from insightcentral.net

Accelerate using full throttle. For 5 speed Insights, shift as early as possible while still maintaining your desired rate of acceleration - around 2500-3000 rpm is optimal. For CVT Insights, use "D" steering wheel button for best efficiency, "S" for fastest acceleration. In all Insights, if battery charge is getting low, follow same procedure but lighten off on the gas pedal a little. This reduces pumping and frictional losses, while maximizing use of electric assist. It is also more fun to "take off" quickly. (Note that this technique does not work in stop-and-go traffic or when you know that you will have to come to a stop soon.)

In town the biggest impact on fuel efficiency is slowing down and speeding up. Avoid speeding up when you know you'll very soon need to slow down again, such as for a red light. It also helps to give a little distance between you and the car ahead, and to choose a route where you can cruise along at the same speed for a while. While regenerative braking helps to reuse some of the energy that would otherwise be lost by slowing down and speeding up again, it is always more efficient to conserve momentum. Leaving some space is also a good defensive driving technique, and choosing a smoother route makes your day less stressful.

On the highway the biggest impact on fuel efficiency is the speed you drive at. Reducing your speed for a 20 minute drive from 75 mph to 65 mph will only add 3 minutes to the trip (0.2% of your day)! In traffic it is best to settle in with the speed of other cars, rather than trying to pass all the other drivers. In all cars, wind drag and other frictions rise dramatically at higher speeds. Driving at the same speed as other drivers also improves safety.

Pay attention to the FCD (Fuel Consumption Display), especially at cruising speed. On the highway you may notice that as you let off from the gas pedal, there will be a point where the FCD bar graph jumps noticeably. This is when the Insight enters lean burn mode, which leads to a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency. The FCD is a great tool for discovering what leads to the best fuel efficiency, giving a new level of interaction with the car.

Leave climate control in econ mode. This enables idle stop.

Leave A/C off in moderate or cool weather. When A/C is on, set climate control as warm as will be comfortable - this is usually with dial near the center. This reduces extra energy used by A/C. The Insight's excellent ventilation system means that in moderately warm weather straight ventilation is very effective at keeping you comfortable.

Begin braking sooner using light brake pressure. This maximizes battery charging. The most regeneration is achieved with very slight pedal pressure, so that charge gauge shows maximum charging, but mechanical brakes aren't coming in to play. This also increases the chances that you won't have to come to a full stop before traffic begins moving again, saving more energy. Furthermore, it increases safety by avoiding more abrupt braking situations that can lead to rear-end collisions when there is an inattentive driver.

For 5 speed Insights...

Tip... Why...
Shift if the upshift light appears, unless you know you're just about to start slowing down or speeding up. This tells you the optimal gear to use for constant speed cruising, as determined by Honda engineers.

When coasting or decelerating, keep the transmission in gear without your foot on the clutch, until RPMs get below 800-1000. This allows battery charging to continue to take place. This also allows the gasoline engine to remain off, in fuel-cut mode, as indicated on the FCD display by 150mpg / 0 L/100km.

When RPMs get too low to remain in gear, shift into neutral and keep your foot on the clutch until you come to a complete stop. Only shift into first when you're just about to start moving again. This allows the Insight to know that you are not just about to reaccelerate, maximizing use of idle stop mode.


got all that, sport?

Milla...

Dang with all that I may not need a hybrid, hmmm what kinda mpg you think I can get using that driving method in the M3 or the LX.

spwolf

Based on my expriences, 50 mpg is an easy goal for Prius. Nevertheless, not all of us drive same way or on the same roads, but it is then fair to say that if an person averages 45 in Prius, they will do less than 40mpg in Jetta, with manual. Automatic should give greater advantage to Prius. Old school TDI used in Jetta is really old tech, tired engine that should have been retired long time ago.

Plus, if you want to learn how to drive Prius to save more fuel, you can do so and save +10 mpg over Jetta, easily.

XeroK00L

Folks, it just crossed my mind that, while the use of Li-ion batteries isn't practical for a Prius, how about for a LS600h? Now that's a car that can justify using the best technologies available at a hefty premium. I remember reading somewhere here that Lexus said the LS600h will be using their 3rd-gen hybrid technologies. Could the Li-ion batteries be part of it?

I guess we'll find out soon enough tomorrow.

Mwmorph

both of you are hovering around the real number which is 47.x mpg average as collected by the epa from a survery of a few hundred prius owners. Next years fuel consumption sticker will reflect it because the official mpg of the prius will be 48mpsg as reported by the EPA(motortrend)

spwolf

48 sounds even a bit too small if you are driving a lot of highway miles... It will be interesting to see what other cars do...

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

113MPG, if my 3k bites the dust(currently 175K miles), new prius it is!

Lets see, 2 gallons to work each day... $6, drive the 3K 4 days a week. =$24*4.33=104
Prius = $1.40/day= $5.60/week = $24.25/month= $80 savings/ month

Plus the maintenance of keeping a 200K miles car going, more oil changes, random parts, $250 tires

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

Does that menat the Tahoe will be at 12MPG, and the IS350 would be 23MPG?

spwolf

Well I doubt Prius will average 113 mpg heh.. that would be pretty impossible. I would expect 10-15% increase in mpg, with 1-2 secs off 0-60, which would be pretty much wow. More batteries, more efficient motors, generators and petrol engine will all help.