Fellow TCH'ers:

At 39.7 mpg I am tantalizingly close to achieving the hallowed 40 mpg mark for a full tank of gas for the first time. Because of this I have been driving very conservatively, trying out some hypermiling techniques, and, most significantly - postponing a visit the gas station for a fillup although I am darn near "E" on the fuel gauge. Now, I won't do anything stupid like actually running out of gas, but would you consider this to be within the "normal" range of hybrid owner behavior?

 

but would you consider this to be within the "normal" range of hybrid owner behavior?

Since you're close to the 40 mpg mark on the tank (assuming it's accurate) you have about 120 miles left after it hits empty. Just for caution I would want to be near a gas station around 90 miles. If I hadn't hit 40 by then I'd try it on the next tank.

Find a Mall parking lot at night and drive around in E Mode until you get to 40.

 

Ignore the previous poster. The post says he is near the E. not the 1/4 mark. He is almost empty.

 

Sallyspal Andy, you might wanna keep away from sharp instruments when you do your "actual" mileage calculations. My real mileage is usually about 1 MPG less than what my sweet-but-lyin' hybrid tells me.

 

It seems that nomatter how hard I try i wind up in the 39 mpg club,just can't get 40. However I did log a 40 plus tank by not using the camry on any short trips and filling a little early wile tank average was above 40. Good luck on your next tank...JOE

 

Ignore the previous poster. The post says he is near the E. not the 1/4 mark. He is almost empty.

Ignore the poster on the previous poster. When you hit the E mark and when the cruising range hits "0" (as shown on the Nav system or dash) most hypermilers (38+mpg) will be able to drive a minimum of 100 miles. Research it

 

I think when new hybrid owners get near a milestone it’s not weird to want to hit that mark, but remember there will be plenty of other opportunities. I just went over the 50mpg mark in my HCH (52.7mpg actual) and had to drive it about 2400 miles to improve on some driving techniques to obtain the 50mpg milestone. Good luck!

 

Virtually the exact same thing for us, too. The Tank Mileage showed 42.3 MPG and the actual tank was 41.2. I forgive her though 'cuz she makes us sooo happy...

 

I fully expect that I will come up 1-2 mpg short when I do fill up. But this would be a milestone nonetheless. I am finding that my mileage is improving on the short trips to and from my office and home, which tend to dominate my driving. At 2,800 miles the car appears to be breaking in nicely. Overall I am very pleased.

 

And you might want to check if your speedometer/odometer is calibrated correctly. Mine was off 5% at 60 MPH - reading 60 when it was really only going 57 MPH. That overstates your MPG when calculating after filling up your tank. Others have seen this too.