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It is quite different filling up once a month rather than once every four days in my other car. I was able to squeeze out a good tank for my standards. Still trying to do better.

Thanks,

Chris

http://www.greenhybrid.com/share/files/5/4/5/8/DSC_7079a.JPG

You have done well. :)

Hi Chris:

___You are doing great as you have absorbed some of what the net had to offer in terms of training. Wait until next year when it warms up and you can hone your new found skills to a razor sharp edge ;)

___Might I suggest you use the Hybrid Fuel Consumption Display screen shot gallery (http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/showgallery.php/cat/504) for your next upload? The fine members over at GH appear not to have the right stuff when it comes to pushing tanks like we are used too seeing ...

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Very nice tank Chris, I agree with Wayne about the temps, next April you will start to see tanks like Carl H (My Precious Prius) saw this past summer (he averaged around 80 MPG from May to September). A couple of Japanese drivers have managed to average about 90 over the summer, I think this can only be accomplished by staying off the interstate as much as possible.

Dennis

Thank you Dennis, Wayne, Delta Flyer, and Hobbitt. It brings a tear to my eye to get praises from those that xcel (pun intended) with regards to fuel mileage. It is insane to get those high numbers out of conventional cars.

You are correct, next summer should be pretty awesome. I have my sights on a 900 and then a 1000 mile tank. I have to travel in November, so no 800 tank for that month :(

and to think i was happy getting 700 mile tanks going back and forth between williamsburg and hampton in my insight! oh well, i guess my 800 mile tank will have to wait...

VaBeachPrius all I can "say" is :Banane35:

It is quite different filling up once a month rather than once every four days in my other car.
Oh gosh, I'd say! I really just love hearing success as yours.

Thank you for your responses. I have read and re-read xcel's writeup on the pulse and glide technique. I am performing the pulse part "correctly" and I glide with no arrows as traffic permits. I am "frustrated" by my recent performance.

Maybe I don't understand the following:

1. The change in performance for my car when the temperature changes from 80F to 45F? The car is more resistant to glide with no arrows until it is really warmed up at speeds below 35 mph. I have to accelerate above 35 to get it to glide.
2. The affects? of engine break-in?
3. Changing to synthetic oil mobil1 5W-30 (warranty thing not 0W20)?
4. Aerodynamics of car? The affect of folding mirrors in at the 30-40 mph p&g range?
5. Would rear wheel skirts help?
6. Would an underbody panel help in the rear of the car by the muffler?

Maybe I shouldn't lose sight of where I am for what little experience I have with the car (2700 miles) and this is my first winter with the car. I have been running the tires in the mid 50's PSI range.

By next August I will have about 10000 miles on the car and it will be 100F outside. We shall see.

I have been consistently getting about 75 mpg for the last three weeks; is that okay considering all the factors above (cars age, temps, oil, etc) or am I missing something?

Thanks,

Chris

Chris, do what your doing! This will be your first winter and you will, and have, notice the car will behave differently.

1. Get an engine block heater. After a 3 hour pre-heat your engine temp is 115 to 130, unless your SOC is low you'll be gliding within 1/2 to 3/4 mile. You need to keep that pre-heat while driving so block up the upper and lower openings in the front of the Prius, unless your average temps will be over 60 degrees (then unblock the lower part only).

2. The Prius seems to have break-in at 5,000 miles (more tires and your first oil change getting rid of the factory overfill), 10,000 miles and 30,000 miles.

3. Has never been quantified with hard numbers, but it will help. Mobile 1 5W30 is fine for where you are, its viscosity is the same or less than 0W20 until you head south of 0 degrees.

4, 5, 6. Don't worry, below 40MPH the HSD transaxle is causing more losses than aero. Since the Prius has a Cd of .26 the only real aero mod would be to block the upper grill flush and get rid of the side mirrors for cameras, but that might get you to .25.

Wayne