Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Ok...I run with my AC set to 72, fan speed is usually medium (3-4 bars), then when the car cools down, I drop it to 1-2 bars. The AC is always set on ECO mode. I drive approximately 9 miles to work with 16 lights/stop signs. The speed limit ranges from 25 - 55 during the drive. I've been coasting whenever I can and trying to lightly use the gas pedal, which then causes me to go under the speed limit, then I apply gas gently to get the speed back up. I find I'm constantly gently pumping the gas pedal during the trip. I've gone a little over 500 miles. I've filled up once and still have 400 to go on the tank. I find myself tensing up during the drive and have to consciously relax myself and I'm only getting 31.8 MPG. My car also has the nav system. What am I doing wrong? Why am I only getting 31.8? I was hoping for 35MPG:(
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Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Originally Posted by SilverToyCam
Ok...I run with my AC set to 72, fan speed is usually medium (3-4 bars), then when the car cools down, I drop it to 1-2 bars. The AC is always set on ECO mode. I drive approximately 9 miles to work with 16 lights/stop signs. The speed limit ranges from 25 - 55 during the drive. I've been coasting whenever I can and trying to lightly use the gas pedal, which then causes me to go under the speed limit, then I apply gas gently to get the speed back up. I find I'm constantly gently pumping the gas pedal during the trip. I've gone a little over 500 miles. I've filled up once and still have 400 to go on the tank. I find myself tensing up during the drive and have to consciously relax myself and I'm only getting 31.8 MPG. My car also has the nav system. What am I doing wrong? Why am I only getting 31.8? I was hoping for 35MPG:(
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Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
You have a lot of stops - that kills your momentum and makes it hard to get great mileage. However, I think you may be accelerating too gently from your description. Try moving up to speed at a "normal pace". Watch the instant mpg meter and give it enough gas to keep in between 10 and 20 mpg when accelerating, then back off after going a few mph faster than your target speed. Backing off will drop you into EV mode once you have gone a few miles and are under 40mph. If going over 40mph, you should be able to keep the instant mpg meter above 40mph after getting up to speed (unless you are going up a hill of course!)
If traffic allows, try to brake lightly and early if you have to stop to get the most out of regen. Also check your tire pressures, go at least with 35psi. I run 42psi and don't notice a difference in the ride. |
Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
yep, you are getting killed by all the starts and stops. That's a bad commute for a hybrid. Mine is similar - 7 miles with 12 lights/stops and I'm having trouble figuring out the best driving methods also. I'm at 36.4 for my current tank and it's dropping every day. I'm gonna figure it out though, and so will you.
Good Luck. |
Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Question about regenerative braking:
Is it better for FE to anticipate stop signs and red lights by simply taking your foot off the accelerator and coasting as long as possible, or is it better to lightly apply the brakes a bit later than the above scenario? Would both of these give you the same net energy from regeneration? |
Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Originally Posted by spiff72
Question about regenerative braking:
Is it better for FE to anticipate stop signs and red lights by simply taking your foot off the accelerator and coasting as long as possible, or is it better to lightly apply the brakes a bit later than the above scenario? Would both of these give you the same net energy from regeneration? A chart showing the regen rate vs speed and braking force exists for the Prius, and shows as the car slows down the amount of regen braking force goes up considerably. The regen braking force starts to taper off below 15 mph and is gone by 6 mph. I'll edit with the URL if I can find that chart. :embarass: Edit: Found two charts, the first is the one I've seen before. The second one is acutal data recorded while braking. Both claim to be for a 2004 model Prius. http://privatenrg.com/BrakeRegen.jpg http://www.vassfamily.net/ToyotaPriu...geMeasures.png |
Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Thanks for all the advice....I'll just keep working on my driving technique.....boy didn't know it was going to be that much of a learning curve when going to a hybrid......yeah, I know it's only if I want the high gas mileage....which I do since I went hybrid:confused:
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Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Originally Posted by SilverToyCam
Ok...I run with my AC set to 72, fan speed is usually medium (3-4 bars), then when the car cools down, I drop it to 1-2 bars. The AC is always set on ECO mode. I drive approximately 9 miles to work with 16 lights/stop signs. The speed limit ranges from 25 - 55 during the drive. I've been coasting whenever I can and trying to lightly use the gas pedal, which then causes me to go under the speed limit, then I apply gas gently to get the speed back up. I find I'm constantly gently pumping the gas pedal during the trip. I've gone a little over 500 miles. I've filled up once and still have 400 to go on the tank. I find myself tensing up during the drive and have to consciously relax myself and I'm only getting 31.8 MPG. My car also has the nav system. What am I doing wrong? Why am I only getting 31.8? I was hoping for 35MPG:(
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Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
I only got 32.6mpg on my first tank but now I have a quarter left of my second and my average is up to 35.7mpg. I think that, along with the comments stated by other posters earlier, you also have to consider that everything still needs to get broken in. I’m guessing that since the ICE doesn’t run as much as a standard vehicle that it may take a little longer for this to happen. My TCH is my first hybrid (not counting the FEH that I get to drive once and a while at work) and I’m still getting used to driving it. I can’t really complain with 32mpg on the first tank because I usually drive 80+ on the highway when I can and my old 6cyl Taurus would only get 19-20mpg.
I do notice, however, that if I get on to the highway and get up to speed quickly I can maintain a constant speed with the gauge reading 45-55 mpg if the road is relatively flat. |
Re: Why am I only getting 31.8 MPG????
Originally Posted by Bumzyman
I only got 32.6mpg on my first tank but now I have a quarter left of my second and my average is up to 35.7mpg. I think that, along with the comments stated by other posters earlier, you also have to consider that everything still needs to get broken in. I’m guessing that since the ICE doesn’t run as much as a standard vehicle that it may take a little longer for this to happen. My TCH is my first hybrid (not counting the FEH that I get to drive once and a while at work) and I’m still getting used to driving it. I can’t really complain with 32mpg on the first tank because I usually drive 80+ on the highway when I can and my old 6cyl Taurus would only get 19-20mpg.
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