http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...idwatch01.html


Interesting!

 

And dated:
Using the old EPA numbers 52/60 (highway/city), it was difficult for many of today's drivers to achieve the EPA numbers from the 1970s based tests. But this problem was common to all vehicles, not just hybrids. Starting in September 2007, the tests have been revised and the numbers are much easier to achieve:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

November is an interesting time because I'd bought my Prius the first week of October, 2005. On the drive back, my first segment delivered 39 MPG and I briefly thought I should take it back. But instead, I used that as the first plot of an MPG vs MPH chart:

You'll notice I even captured the aircraft mileage data on the trip out to pickup my hybrid. This is just basic engineering.

Since then, my mileage improved as plotting out MGP vs MPH at different speeds gave me clues. I soon learned why there is a dip at 42 mph and why 2001-03 Prius performance drops off at 70 mph. I've even mapped the maximum range speed, ~20 mph:


With knowledge, I've achieved not only EPA numbers but my composite number after 35,000 miles is higher than the original EPA rating, 45/52. I've made it a point to share this information in the local FAQ. I've also encouraged other hybrid owners to use the same approach with their vehicles with limited success.

Bob Wilson

 

I guess mine must be broken:



Can anybody suggest a fix? It would appear that I'm not getting the "real" mileage.

 

Bob said:
"On the drive back, my first segment delivered 39 MPG and I briefly thought I should take it back."

Glad you didn't.

DAS

 

Please note that "Consumeraffairs" is a litigation site, not an information site. Run by lawyers looking for business.

 

With about 25,000 miles, some of it on I-90 in S.D., and even Wy, and a lot of US Hwy's in the midwest, provincial roads in Canada, and just driving around So. Cal. I don't know what, "Real" gas milage is. A very elusive term.

I can say it varies. The display is not necessarily the calculated. But the best I've done was from Cedar City, Ut to Laramie, Wy 59.1 mpg (probably a tailwind). Even with cruise control set at 64 I can get around 50+. The best was at around 30 mph in Wisconsin.

Speed kills - gas milage.

 

New York City is the worst in North America. In worst cases, I got 23 MPG in a slower than walk trip. But even that mileage is better than regular cars' highway real mileage.

My actual numbers: City 37 to 39 MPG; Hwy 51 no matter what speed) according to the computer. I should add: Rural 64 MPG (<41 MPH)

My manual calculation when I pump up (tank full to tank full) is 5 MPG lower than the computer calculated MPG. This is the biggest thing!!!