Post Your Prius Stats

[Savonarola]

The truth is in the longer averages.

I agree. But that's a 60+ mpg average over 113 miles and two days in different directions, which ain't shabby.

A nice tail wind in a nice hilly area can do this

Yeah, you keep chalking it up to these things. I must have a tailwind every time I'm on the highway, no matter which direction I'm going. And today when the wind blew my sunglasses nearly off my face through the open window facing west, it must have been the southerly wind.

My computer resets each time I refuel my tank so my "computer" average numbers are per tank.

I thought this too, but then I noticed that it only automatically resets my mileage counter; it keeps the MPG as a running total until I hit the reset button. (This is confirmed by the data analysis in my spreadsheet.) Perhaps this was changed between '04 and '07?

I have some new numbers to post soon and hopefully I'll be in the 50's this time.

Then you'll be ahead of me. But not for long...

... I slowed down a bit from 70mph to about 66mph on the next few trips. Now I'm getting about 48+ mpg!

I usually get about 60+ for the only whole five-minute chunk that I'm ever on I-540 (speed limit 65 in Ft. Smith). There is a noticeable drop on I-540 North to Fayetteville (70mph). Despite what I've read and Darrel's assertions, my mileage seems to suffer with hilly terrain; even back southward on 540, which is more downhill than not, I don't seem to see much of a difference.

It's not just the machine, it's man + machine, to give you the really good mileage.

Of course. That's why this has turned into such a silly competition: Now it's man+machine vs. man+machine. And now that I know how to drive my machine, I'm a much better man+machine.

Usually having to zip to my next appointment (20 this week) I don't have the luxury.

And for me, it's those pesky other drivers I'm having to accommodate around town. Having to use gas just because somebody behind me wants to accelerate a little quicker? ... Hmph.

You might consider taking that route Doug, if you have a few more minutes.

That's right, folks... In a contest of who can best save the environment, it's now: man+machine vs. man+machine vs. man+machine!

[Dardedar]

Okay, new numbers (and now I keep track of the price of gas paid so I can calculate accurately how long until my Prius pays for itself in saved fuel):

***
October 9, 2010 to 2011:

Miles: 3,744
Fuel: 74.69
Fuel cost: $201

MPG = 50.17 (computer average for this period = 51.63 mpg)

Money saved: $201
Pounds of Co2 not released: 1,406

***
First quarter of 2011:

Miles: 3,917
Fuel: 81.86
Fuel cost: $261

MPG = 47.74 (computer average for this period = 49.27 mpg)

Money saved: $261
Pounds of Co2 not released: 1,555

Well, those are my winter time numbers. This next quarter is a sweet spot, a Goldilocks zone, not too hot, not too cold.

Total money saved thus: $1,412. Since 10/2009, my Prius is 14% paid for in saved fuel. The higher gas goes, the faster it pays for itself. At this rate I have about 8.5 years to go.

***

[Dardedar]

...it only automatically resets my mileage counter; it keeps the MPG as a running total until I hit the reset button... Perhaps this was changed between '04 and '07?

Must have been. Mine resets every time I fill up. I am guessing it knows when the fuel cap/cover has been opened. But I don't mind this. And I don't trust the computer anyway, I want the real numbers, miles, per gallon.

I have some new numbers to post soon and hopefully I'll be in the 50's this time.

Then you'll be ahead of me. But not for long...

Despite what I've read and Darrel's assertions, my mileage seems to suffer with hilly terrain; even back southward on 540, which is more downhill than not,

I am referring to around town hills, not those big long monsters on the bypass.

I don't seem to see much of a difference.

And for me, it's those pesky other drivers I'm having to accommodate around town.

Funny story about that. Last week I was going north on Greg, just before Township. I could see ahead that the light was red and there was a line in the right lane. So I was happy to slowly accelerate at about 25mph knowing the timing would work out just right to cruise through the light (going slow, I was in the right lane). But there was a busy boy behind me in his pickup truck riding my tail. So he had a choice, he could follow me, a person who was clearly doing the thinking for both of us, or he could storm around me in the passing lane, speed up, go back in the right lane, hit the brakes and then sit in line. And that's what he did. As I cruise past him in the left lane in electric mode perfectly timed to go through the light (he was turning right, I was going straight) he is sitting in line and giving me the finger furiously while trying to roll down his window. I just smile. But the nice thing about me extremely dark windows is that he probably can't see me at all and has no idea if I was even looking. Oh well.

it's now: man+machine vs. man+machine vs. man+machine!

Let the games begin!

ps. A little tip. Buy your tires slightly used at Tire Trax. I bought four tires, installed, balanced, taxed plus recycle tire fee ($6 per) for $128. Can't beat that.

[Doug]

You might consider taking that route Doug, if you have a few more minutes.

That's right, folks... In a contest of who can best save the environment, it's now: man+machine vs. man+machine vs. man+machine!

DOUG
I'm glad one guy isn't in on this: Dave Bowman, a fellow who used to teach aviation classes at NWACC. He has a Prius, and he would take a special route from Fayetteville to Bentonville and try to stay under 16 mph--the upper limit in his Prius for using the battery without the gas motor kicking in. (I think my upper limit is 19 mph.)

It was probably similar to the route I used to take on my scooter. I'm sure this guy was really getting good mileage. I think he was one of those supermilers. He also had great tips on how to go up hills, and many other things.

[Savonarola]

And I don't trust the computer anyway, I want the real numbers, miles, per gallon.

But I don't trust consistency of the tank bladder. The flow meter is supposed to be accurate to 2%, but keeping up with long-term gas usage (instead of tank-by-tank basis) ought to take care of the bladder issue. (Thus, I'll go by quarters.)

I am referring to around town hills, not those big long monsters on the bypass.

Gotcha. I think I just don't have enough geographical distinction to know how I fare for "around town hills."

he is sitting in line and giving me the finger furiously while trying to roll down his window.

Gotta love idiots. I got my first angry honk Friday because I was slowing down... to turn right. No clue what the guy behind me was thinking.

A little tip. Buy your tires slightly used at Tire Trax.

Wait, your car has tires?! Oh man, I'm learning all sorts of great info in this thread!

he would take a special route from Fayetteville to Bentonville and try to stay under 16 mph--the upper limit in his Prius for using the battery without the gas motor kicking in. (I think my upper limit is 19 mph.)

My engine tends to kick in at 19 mph when I'm trying to cruise along on electric with a low SOC. At speeds up to 40, I can get my car to turn off the engine once I'm up to speed by coasting for a moment, then gently pressing the accelerator. (This is dependent on SOC, but this one's not so restrictive.)

He also had great tips on how to go up hills, and many other things.

Get them!

[Doug]

He also had great tips on how to go up hills, and many other things.

Get them!

DOUG
I remember he told me that one trick for going uphills was to estimate how long it would take to go up the hill and then decrease your speed after you start up the hill. You should pace your deceleration evenly so that your lowest desired speed (depending on the kind of road or street) would be just as you crest the hill. This way, by decreasing your speed for most of the hill climb, you get the most out of the mileage.

[Dardedar]

Required reading for those interested in hybrids:

Prius Misconceptions

[Dardedar]

Bump. Latest Prius stats, now added to first post.

[Savonarola]

Since my first batch of stats is buried in another longer post, I'll put everything in a new one:

2011 Q1 stats:
2170 miles
48.18 gal
45.8 MPG

computer data:
46.59 gal
46.6 MPG
3.3% error


2011 Q2 stats:
2381 miles
53.1 gal
44.84 MPG

computer data:
51.99 gal
45.8 MPG
(2.1% error)

These Q2 numbers disappoint me, but I haven't turned off my air conditioner since April.

Q1+Q2 totals:
4551 miles
101.3 gal
44.93 mpg


Compared to my previous vehicle's 18 MPG at its time of death, Q1 savings were:
[lack cost data for monetary savings]
72.4 gal
1447 lbs CO2

Q2 savings:
$286.80
79.2 gal
1584 lbs CO2

Q1+Q2 savings:
151.6 gal
3031 lbs CO2

[Savonarola]

It's a new quarter, so I have new stats.

2011 Q3 stats:
2860 miles
62.28 gal
45.63 MPG

computer data:
60.21 gal
47.5 MPG
(4.1% error)

savings:
$337.90
96.2 gal
1924 lbs CO2

YTD:
7411 miles
163.97 gal
45.2 mpg

savings:
> $624.70 (for Q2+Q3 only; est. $850 Q1-Q3)
247.8 gal
4956 lbs CO2

[Dardedar]

Here are my 3rd quarter stats. Here's a snap of my last tank, which happened to be a good run (no heat, no A/C and always watching the weather for those tail winds...).



***Update... 3rd quarter 2011

Miles: 5,756
Fuel: 116.01 (gallons)
Fuel cost: $411.83

MPG actual: 49.62 (computer average = 50.8)
Money saved: $411.83
Pounds of CO2 not released: 2,320

Total money saved thus (over two years): $2,155
Total pounds of CO2 not released: 14,685

[Dardedar]

***Update... 4th quarter 2011 stats:

Miles: 3,734
Fuel: 77.33 g
Fuel cost: $242.82

MPG actual: 48.43 (computer average = 49.8)
Money saved: $242.82
Pounds of CO2 not released: 1,547

Total money saved thus (two years): $2,397
Total pounds of CO2 not released: 16,232

[Savonarola]

I finally finished off the last tank from 2011, so I have stats:

2011 Q4 (and a bit of Jan 2012) stats:
2645 miles
57.66 gal
45.87 MPG

computer data:
56.28 gal
47.0 MPG
(2.46% error)

savings:
$281.30
89.3 gal
1786 lbs CO2

2011:
10056 miles
221.63 gal
45.37 mpg

savings:
> $906 (for Q2-Q4 only; est. $1130 Q1-Q4)
337 gal
6740 lbs CO2

[Dardedar]

***Update... 1st quarter 2012 stats:

Miles: 4,744
Fuel: 100.44 g
Fuel cost: $383.48

MPG actual: 47.39 (computer average = 48.80)
Money saved: $383.48
Pounds of CO2 not released: 2,008.8

Total money saved thus (2.5 years): $2,780
Total pounds of CO2 not released: 18,240

[Savonarola]

2012 Q1:
3095 miles
70.63 gal
43.82 MPG

computer data:
66.27 gal
46.7 MPG
(6.57% error)

savings vs previous vehicle:
$351.33
101 gal
2020 lbs CO₂

* I had something really strange happen two fill-ups ago. Having all but emptied the tank, only 6.666 gallons went in, even after multiple attempts. I therefore expected that the difference would be made up in the next fill-up (today). These two fill-ups totaled 14.61 gal. Because of my handy-dandy spreadsheet, I was able to calculate how much gas my car thought I used over those two tanks: 14.40 gal. Thus, I have one tank with an apparent MPG of 66 and one of 30, but it all appears to work out in the wash.

[Savonarola]

2012 Q2:
3116 miles
68.08 gal
45.77 MPG

computer data:
65.32 gal
47.7 MPG
(4.2% error)

savings vs previous vehicle:
$368.24
105 gal
2100.1 lbs CO₂


YTD:
6211 miles
138.71 gal
47.2 mpg

savings:
$719.54
206.23 gal
4124 lbs CO₂

[Dardedar]

I was really working at it this quarter, and got my best number yet.

***Update... 2nd quarter 2012 stats:

Miles: 4,040
Fuel: 79.44 g
Fuel cost: $273.27

MPG actual: 50.88 (computer average = 52.15)
Money saved: $273.27
Pounds of CO2 not released: 1,588

Total money saved thus (2.5 years): $3,053
Total pounds of CO2 not released: 19,828

Overall mileage to date, with all ten "quarters" given equal weight (488.88 / 10) = 48.88 mpg (actual)

[Savonarola]

2012 Q3:
3989.3 miles
90.91 gal
43.88 MPG

computer data:
87.1 gal
45.8 MPG
(4.38% error)

savings vs previous vehicle:
$450.54
130.7 gal
2613.4 lbs CO₂


YTD:
10200. miles
229.6 gal
44.4 mpg

savings:
$1170
336.9 gal
6737 lbs CO₂

[Dardedar]

I didn't work at it much this month...

***Update... 3rd quarter 2012 stats:

Miles: 3,246
Fuel: 68.74 g
Fuel cost: $239.21

MPG actual: 47.22 (computer average = 48.5)
Money saved: $239.21
Pounds of CO2 not released: 1,374

Total money saved thus (2.7 years): $3,292
Total pounds of CO2 not released: 21,202

Overall mileage to date, with all eleven "quarters" given equal weight (536.1 / 11) = 48.73 mpg (actual)

[Savonarola]

A new year is here, so last year's stats are complete:

2012 Q4:
2880.3 miles
64.49 gal
44.66 MPG

computer data:
62.16 gal
46.3 MPG
(3.67% error)

savings vs previous vehicle:
$310.76
95.34 gal
1906.7 lbs CO₂



2012 totals:
13080 miles
294.11 gal
44.47 mpg

savings:
$1481.63
432.24 gal
8644.8 lbs CO₂