The last few days with snow and temps dipping below, my mileage has dropped significantly to high 20s/low 30s. I understand that (a) I park my car outside, (b) warm-up my car during the time I clean the snow, (c) no EBH, (d) no grill blocking, and (e) my drive to work is only ~15 miles round trip, but still mileage in the high 20s/low 30s is lousy, even lower than my break-in mileage (30s) that occurred in Jan. Even, my 1995 Corolla with 150k miles also gives about mid-20s during the winter with identical driving styles and conditions. So what's with the Prius?
From the description of your routine, looks like most energy is used not to drive the car, but to provide the comfort. Thus, no difference between Prius and Corolla. Consider moving south to boost your MPG (snow cleaning time will go considerably down). But even down here my MPG went from high 50' to high 40' despite my comfort sacrifices (no warm up time, heater at 65F and I turn auto climate off on red lights to kill ICE).
Emissions are considerably cleaner from the Prius. Warming up the car prior to driving is a waste. Heat is generated faster when the engine is in use. Try that instead. .
This would be expected with cold temps. How many tanks of gas have you gone through and still gotten this bad mileage. ???
What are your mpg's like in warm weather? If it's in the 40's, then 30's in the winter wouldn't be unusual. Idling is a no-no, unless you need to defrost in order to see! Otherwise, brush off the snow, then start the car and go. Snow covered roads also kill milage!
This is my first winter with a scanguage - I'm amazed by just how much of a draw on engine temp even a little bit of heat is. My commute is only about 5 miles of suburban driving (about 10 minutes) my mpg's in the cold are pretty different with the heat on (low 20's with heat). I'll take the mileage hit - I'd rather feel my fingers and toes.
Shankyyy, if you feel the need to warm-up the car while you brush snow off/scrape ice, then: 1) Try a lower grill block - I did 100% on mine and noticed an improvement immediately. This will allow your ICE to warm up faster and stay warmer longer while driving; 2) Don't start your car until you're ready to drive off. Try these two things and I'll bet you'll see your mpg improve to low 40's.
It's during the winter, when I'm sitting at a stoplight idling and Priapus flat-out refuses to shut off his ICE that I just sit there, stewing, muttering under my breath, "now I'm just like everybody else." Sorry 'bout your mileage. Like everyone said, it's a combination of warming up the car, drawing heat off the engine and a relatively short commute.
I've got to go with tony, those saying how easy it is to get 50mpg have long commutes. I don't consider 7.5 miles each way that short, but figure it this way, wouldn't you rather get to work faster and use less gas than also more mpg? I was disapointed at my city mileage, especially my frequent less than 5 mile trips with full ac. Its better than the corolla, but not as much as those with long commutes will lead you to believe.
Hi Shankky, Ah, last time I had to push snow out of the way, it was ALLLLLOOOOOTTTTT heavier than air. Its winter, get over it.....
Just for perspective...From Fairbanks Alaska.... This week I have been driving home from work with temps -30 to -40. A typical comfortable winter day here will range -10 to +10. The sun rises 2 degrees above the horizon for 3 1/2 hours then back down. Most of the driving surfaces (roads)are packed snow and gravel. When its this cold the tires will be out of round and the ride will be a little clunky as they round back out wich takes about a quarter mile. I have a dealer installed 1.block heater, 2.oilpan heater and 3.battery trickle charger. 4. Owner installed 100% upper and lower grill blocking (5/8"x1" foam pipe insulation). 5. NO auto start (remote start) I am achieving high 20s low 30s mpgs probably due to starting the day in a warm garage. -10 to +10 days I am into low 40mpgs
Thanks, all for all your tips, suggestions, and the 'normal' behavior of my car. Averaging 20s in stop n go driving (although it is winter) is counter-intuitive when you think of a Prius. Guess I'll have to try grill blocking. Cannot install EBH since I park outside. Roy'sToy: Low 40s at -10+10 is quite impressive.
Aww man. Sorry bout the mileage. I'm in Indiana now, so I know it gets cold. Keep yer heater on 65, and don't preheat---or just live with the mileage (like I said...I KNOW it's cold!) If you decide to block your upper grill---remember to remove said blockage before the weather changes. I've never been wild about grill blocking, but just to keep the shriekers at bay, I will admit that it might help in your case. Good Luck!
What I do is turn the climate control off. It kills the ICE. Then I turn Auto when the light turns to green. Works like a charm (after the first couple of minutes when engine is stone cold).
To me Prius shines only when one is doing tons of low speed city driving (like Taxi). Hwy MPG is decent and short trip driving is bad. This car is NOT cost effective for short trips. Same with high speed driving. Top Gear showed only 16 MPG in top speed in Prius (BMW did better at those speeds). Now we are discovering that low temp is another limitation.
It's not just long commutes that get the highest gas mileage, speed counts a great deal -- I have a 37 mile commute each way every day and I'm only averaging 45MPG. Unless I find a nice slow truck to follow closely, I can't go as slow as 55mph unless I want to get run over! I have a V so it has 17" tires and I suspect that another reason i don't get the EPA highway rating of 48mpg. I'm just about to take it in for it's 5000 mile check, so it has the miles in it enough to be broken in...
That's extremely low mileage. I'm getting about 45-46 during the winter (Baltimore has had highs in the low 30s for all of this December) and 48-49 during the Summer. I do go over 65 on my daily 110 round-trip commute. I don't warm up unless I have to scrape. My ICE does turn off less in winter because I have the internal set at 72 degrees and I do a lot of highway driving. My mileage is a little below those who make a greater effort to get higher mileage, but since I drive about 40K miles per year I'm still saving a lot. Rich
