Hi All,

I will be picking up a new Prius in the next few weeks and would like to learn how to get as much mpg as possible. Does anyone know a good thread that lists/explains the ways you can alter your driving methods?

Thanks...

Hi,
Two recommendations: (1) put your car in the database and (2) scan the FAQ. If you have more questions about the FAQ, I'd be happy to share the backup data. But the database is critical.

By tracking your weekly MPG performance, you can experimentally verify what works and doesn't work. Using the database and the scientific method, you can recreate most of the FAQ.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

i second these suggestions. basically, you'll learn how your prius operates the first month. you'll learn how to read the gauges and adapt your driving style to maximize mpg. i've had my 06 hch for about 3 months now and am still refining and optimizing my driving technique. i've gone up from 45mpg to around 49 and plan to hit over 50. it will be a balance between what you want to achieve as a driver (mpg/speed, etc.) and how the car wants to manage things. all in all, it's quite fun and you'll be smiling ever mile knowing that you're helping the environment and saving money!

Hi,

A word of caution is in order:

Although I agree with the sentiment, there are significant differences between how a Honda Civic Hybrid works and the Toyota Prius. Like the old story about the Fox and the Stork who served each other supper with different place settings, the Fox's shallow pans and the Stork's long necked vases, trying to achieve hyper mileage status using the other's techniques are likely to be less than successful. So let's review some of the differences of the current models:

Honda - 49/51 (city/highway) MPG, EPA
Toyota - 60/51 (city/highway) MPG, EPA

The Prius is optimized for low speed, stop-and-go performance. In that environment, the Honda would suffer a significant performance loss. In contrast, the way to better Honda performance is to maximize highway driving. So it is no wonder the referenced article recommends Honda highway techniques instead of Prius urban techniques.

Some principles of high mileage driving are common to all vehicles: hard tires, maintenance, predictive braking. Also, both vehicles have an auto-stop and regenerative braking capability. But the Honda auto-stop works differently than the Prius and regenerative braking is also different. So take advice on common features with a 'grain of salt' and learn how each works best.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Drewski--
I've had my Prius for about three weeks, and I've gotta tell you, you don't need a manual--the in-dash display tells you everything you need to know. I have become a much, much, much better driver in just these three short weeks. Gone are my jackrabbit starts, my last-minute braking, and my going from 0-60 in a few seconds just because I WANT to...I mean, the Prius still allows all that behavior, but when you see that green bar go down to 10-15 mpg because of your bad driving habits, it knocks sense into you in a way a manual doesn't. Or my driver's ed teacher back in the day, for that matter. I'm at 43 mpg right now, but I'm still working on some of my bad behaviors. I'll top 50 soon!

Hope this helps!

"The unexamined life is not worth living." -- Socrates

I agree with Bob. There are major differences, and some of the tips on the Civic may or will not work with the Civic. It was my intention to point out the basic principles, such as DWL, slowing down, etc. But I probably should not have recommended the article to a Prius owner because it could be confusing. My apologies if it was.

although the hybrid did not change my driving style, I must say the pics on this site did

i got around 20 km a liter when i drove a civic 5 spd using advanced hypermiler techniques
and now I drive a salvage nwh20 prius that gets almost to 25 km/l with 195,000 km to date.

No problem. I know we share the same goals and your Honda Civic hybrid is an excellent alternative.

If you are interested in learning about Prius technology, this is one of the better web sites:
http://www.ecrostech.com/prius/original/PriusFrames.htm

One curious phenomia are the Honda drivers, hybrid and non-hybrid, who come to Prius forums to post. I'd first observed this in Ebay last September when I found a lot of "not a prius" postings. As long as they do no harm, I figure it is just "Prius envy." <grins>

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.