The temps here in the Springs have been on a daily roller coaster, going from warm to very cold. At almost 2000 miles, I'm only seeing 37-45 mpg averages and that's recent.

Since hearing that gas can make a difference, I tried Diamond Shamrock and have gotten 145 miles on almost 3/4 tank. There doesn't seem to be a wide variety of gas around here. So far, Conoco seems to be better because I can get about 400 miles averaging 35 mpg.

I've seen people say Exxon and Shell are the best.

infael

Infael

2004 Gray Prius with smart start/entry and VSC

infael

The "big names" have a few advantages, but most gas is pretty much the same when it is poured into the truck that carries it to the station. There are only about three main distributors in the country, and all stations pull from them. It is nearly all the same stuff.

Where places differ though is in the small things. Fuel additives may be added after the well, and there are things like filling frequency that matter - a station with a low tank fill (their main tank, not yours!) frequency may not be as clean as one with a higher fill rate - which means, stations that sell more gas generally have a main tank that is "fresher". Lousy term, but it gets the point across.

Another issue arrives on that though - one of water contamination. A freshly filled dealer tank may have more water content... and more "crud" - which hopefully is filtered out before getting to you...

Add to that the apparent octane increase at higher altitude (I think you qualify!) and you get just all sorts of variables in a tank of gas that may be pretty much "just the same" as any other tank of gas....

But - don't trust that guage! You probably already know that, but the guage and the tank are somewhat variable, it seems. If you want REAL mileage numbers, calculate them yourself based on your fills - and keep a running total - the average over time will be the best indicator.

I am not anticipating high numbers until the warm weather returns. I am turning averages on the display between 42 and 45 now. I hope to be higher later in the year!

Jack

Eschew Obfuscation
Avoid pompous prolixity
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

Milage around 40 is not that uncommon. I've been averaging 42, 43, 45, and currently am at 40 for this tank. And I'm in FL!

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I just filled up this evening. 40.9 MPG was what it calculated to.

That may be the worst tank I see all year. This week is likely the coldest of the season here in Minnesota.

My 2001 averaged 50 MPG last summer. I'm expecting to do better with the 2004.

Patience, practice, and a bit of study to know exactly what to do really helps. In time, many others will sound off about getting even better MPG too... even when you are forced to drive inefficiently sometimes (an unfortunate reality, oh well).

JOHN
http://john1701a.com

You posted!

I'm averaging so far about 43 in each of my 4 tanks, though the current one began around 38 and has gone up to 42, indicating I've been averaging more like 46 lately. Of course, this seems to happen to every tank

I think short trips hurt me mostly, as I'm in FL where the average day/night temperature right now is about 55.

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I get somewhere around 40mpg over the last three tanks in my Prius. I don't do much freeway driving, but it's what saves me from averaging about 35mpg...*in Southern California*.

I recently returned to Southern California from Spokane, Washington, and was surprised at the difference in mileage my truck got when in each place. (prePrius)

Over the years, my GMC Sonoma truck has realized about 250 miles on a tank in Orange County. When I lived in Spokane, the same truck was easily getting 350 miles per tankful! My driving habits didn't change. Two years in OC at about 250/tank and 6 months at 350/tank in Spokane...then back to OC and back to 250 miles/tank.

I wonder how my MPG would be in Spokane? (negative 20 degree weather last week precluded!)

I love my Prius!

James

04 Prius, Seaside Pearl BC
My Prius Webpage

I've only got 800 miles on my car right now.

My daily commute is 4 miles slightly downhill, 2 miles on the highway. On the way home it's slightly uphill and all streets.

I've been getting about 42 to 46 for that on a regular basis.

I've been doing much better on the freeway or longer trips, 50-55. My last tank which was about 50% commute and 50% highway.

I'm looking for some tips on how to improve my mileage.

When I'm at a stoplight, is it better to let off the brake and let the electric motor give you a little start, to say 5 miles per hour and then accelerate firmly? Or should I come to speed from a dead stop?

I try to get to speed as quickly as possible so I can either coast or find the sweet spot of the electric motor at about 30 miles per hour.

Anyone have any thoughts or tips?

Los Angeles, California
Tideland Pearl - BI Package
Most Recent Tank Mileage - 44.6

I've heard tons of advice, but realize from personal experience that nothing seems to work quite as magically as it's said to I do notice an odd peculiarity, though. Quite regularly my MPG jumps from about 30 (warmup) to about 75 for a 5-minute period. Then it slips back down to about 45. Consistantly.

Why in the world would it jump up and then slide down so much? My battery is most always 2 bars from the top during this time.

Read my new biweekly column, The Western Street 7.
Visit my political debate forum, Volconvo.

John! Greate to see you aboard over here as well!

Wow - I get worried when I see in the 40s. Don't think it has been as cold here as you have seen though (mid-state NY) - I am still getting mid 40s (45.7 just this evening), but temps have only been around 15-25 lately.

I am really hoping to bust 50+ come the warm weather!

Jack

Eschew Obfuscation
Avoid pompous prolixity
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.

It was -6 F this morning. (Yes, I got Multi-Display photos of that.) So MPG is still nasty. And this weekend, I'll be going for a long highway drive in the cold (to go pick up a new 2004 Prius with a friend). That will just kill my monthly average, very likely dropping efficiency below my classic's average. Bummer, eh?

Will spring ever arrive!?!

JOHN
http://john1701a.com