I bought my 2005 hybrid brand new back in 2005. I've never topped 38 mpgs (even on roadtrips). Whenever anyone asked me about a hybrid, I'd always say that the increased gas mileage was eh but the carpool access was definitely worth it.

I stumbled on this forum and discovered that everyone seems to get a lot higher mpgs. Do I have a defective car? Have I had one for the past 3 years and not known it?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated on how I might be able to get to the bottom of this or even improve my mpgs.

ETA: I live in So. Cal and my driving is basically to and from work about 12 miles away. Mostly freeway (going 55-75 mph) with 2 street lights in between. I try to keep it under 3K rpms, AC/heater is rarely ever on (So. Cal, remember?), the little bar thingy underneath is always at 40 or higher, and I autostop it every time.

It really depend on how fast you're driving. If you are always driving at 75 mph then you can forget the 50 mpg.

It you keep driving 40-55 mph, you can get easily 55mpg. The faster you drive the less effective the car get.

Try slow down and you will see the big difference.

I find that at 50 mph, my car has really good mileage.

I too have an '05 HCH that I purchased new in Southern Indiana .

There, in flatter terrain and slower highway speeds (55mph), the mpg was averaging about 42mpg.

Here, in San Diego, with the rather hilly terrain, significantly higher highway speeds (avg 65-75 mph), and the state mandated fuel additives, the car averages about 35mpg.

With great care and attention, limiting top hwy speed to 65mph, limiting passengers to 1 (3-4 people in the car drops mpg down to about 30mpg), I can get 37-38mpg.

My fear is though that the hilly terrain is taking its toll on my AMA BAttery causing it to be in charge mode much too often which really hits my mpg hard! The Elec. Motor Assist is used a lot every time I climb small hill, and runs the battery down. So on even flat terrain, I'm having to recharge the AMA Battery.

I've come to the conclusion that the hybrids are excellent for flatter terrain and single drivers, but beyond that, they are not designed to deal with heavier passenger loads and moderate to difficult terrain. I'd be just as well off driving a Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe like my youngest daughter which averages 31mpg in the same terrain at significantly cheaper purchase price and no worries about a the failure of a very expensive battery component, or even my other daughter's Mini-Cooper which averages 35 hwy, 29 city (but runs premium gas..ouch!).

I'm considering selling my HCH before the AMA Battery fails to avoid the hassle. Like I said, I fear that it's nearing that point already at just 50K miles. I'll buy a compact as my wife's daily commuter.

Good luck with your HCH.

I'm amazed at the reported avg mileage for the HCH (avg 46 mpg). There's no way I can come even close to that here in San Diego.

Well I visit your fair State from time to time and I'm afraid it is the driving habits!!!!Thats all I'm going to say!H

I would say new england in general is more hilly than san diago and I have no problem maintaining 45 mpg. I have to really try to get anything under 40mpg. That would include going 80mph and gunning off the line at every stop. I would try going to a different gas station. I would pay more attention to that bar thingy that you say is always above 40. If it is always above 40, your average should be above 40mpg. Learn to get that bar above 40 in normal driving and your average should improve.