Might have been nice if Toyota advertised this little fact!

I don't drive any of my cars like a racing fool. I have considered myself very fuelish over the years but I guess not if I can't even get a fuel saving vehicle like the Prius to perform as advertised.

 

Jesus Christ.....
Look at the things we do for our Prius.....

 

AMEN!!!!

It would have been trivial to include an MPG vs MPH chart and identify the 42 mph transition between hybrid mode and 'ICE-runs' mode. A simple warm-up chart would show the importance of slow speed, warm-up. A tire inflation pressure versus rolling drag chart would show the tradeoffs. All of these are right and proper entries in the Owner's Manual.

Bob Wilson

 

I am pretty sure mpg advertised has to be that tested/published by the EPA, not the manufacturer.

The typical (median) mpg posted here by Prius drivers is above 47mpg and many of the 1000+ posted are getting 50mpg+.

Certainly, if driving with the flow means heavy acceleration/braking and highway speeds of 65mph+, then yes, FE will tend to be below 50mpg.

In the end, you are probably correct that an inexpensive non hybrid would probably give you the lowest total cost of ownership.

 

We're doing them for ourselves. The Prius is just a means to an end.<grins>

Bob Wilson

 

I've wondered about this magical 10k barrier people keep speaking of. I've even heard that it was 5k in some other articles I've read.

I just bought an '07 Prius and I am getting great mileage so far [56mpg+; *knock on wood*] and I only have 186 miles on my car so far. I travel 28 miles per day, half downhill, half uphill, but not as extreme as above.

However, I just don't buy the 10k mile mark rumor. I think to an extent there is a break in period, but I think driving tactics have a greater impact.

 

I am not driving my Prius heavy footed. I've never been more fuel careful with any other vehicle and I still can't break 39-42 mpg averages. It's freaking rediculous! Doesn't matter that the EPA got those rating numbers, Toyota played them up big time in their advertising of the car. Toyota could have stepped up and told the consumers that if you drive the vehicle like any other normal car, you wouldn't get nothing like the advertised ratings. Instead they chose to mislead the public into thinking everyone can get high mpg numbers. Just like they misinformed us about the tax credit. I will NEVER buy another Toyota again!

 

OK, maybe your Prius has some issue preventing it from getting higher FE.

I am sure that Toyota is not the only one advertising EPA numbers to drum up sales. Heck, even Jeep Patriot is supposed to do >30mpg. Of course you have to buy the stripped down 2wd 2.0L CVT MT model and drive it like the EPA does to get similar results.

Im sorry you are feeling burned by this.

 

I feel your pain. Have you verified your tire pressure is optimal and have you tried calculating your mileage by hand instead of using the MFD?

 

A/C usage? That could affect mileage.
Check your oil level, it might be a little too full.

I have my pressures at 38/36. Before this summer, I would regularly get 50-55mpg. I'm living in a hilly area (dunno if it's as hilly as yours but I'm up here in BC).


Hmm... just trying to think of what else to check... I mean if you want our help (and I think you do), we'll try our best to find the issue that's causing your low mpg!


What about test driving another Prius at the dealership (make sure it has the same wheels). It'll be new of course but see if it gives the same results (make sure you're keeping everything the same.. same A/C usage, same route and if possible, same weather conditions).

Or rent a Prius (which probably will have several thousand miles on it) and see if that gets the same mileage.