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Just picked up my new 2007 Prius a little over two weeks ago. So far averaging a shade above 50 mpg, based on calculating miles driven and gasoline purchased. Curiously, the screen on car indicates I am at 51.4 mpg. So I don't understand this discrepancy.

I have aired up the tires to 42 in front and 40 in back, originally they were at 34 psi.

I am driving slower than I am used to, but not sure I have the patience to drive only 60 miles per hour along Michigan highways where the speed limit is 70 and most everyone drives above that. I am going below the speed limit generally, but not as low as 60.
I prefer to use cruise control but I am reading that is not so efficient. Still testing the waters and exploring new ideas.

Suggestions are always appreciated.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/index.php?referrerid=1493

And hopefully my signature shows up on here.

Just picked up my new 2007 Prius a little over two weeks ago. So far averaging a shade above 50 mpg, based on calculating miles driven and gasoline purchased. Curiously, the screen on car indicates I am at 51.4 mpg. So I don't understand this discrepancy.
I have aired up the tires to 42 in front and 40 in back, originally they were at 34 psi.

I am driving slower than I am used to, but not sure I have the patience to drive only 60 miles per hour along Michigan highways where the speed limit is 70 and most everyone drives above that. I am going below the speed limit generally, but not as low as 60.
I prefer to use cruise control but I am reading that is not so efficient. Still testing the waters and exploring new ideas.

Suggestions are always appreciated.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/index.php?referrerid=1493

Welcome to CleanMPG! It looks like you're off to a good start. The discrepancy is most likely due to the bladder. How much fuel you get in the tank is very dependant on the ambient air temperature.

Just picked up my new 2007 Prius a little over two weeks ago. So far averaging a shade above 50 mpg, based on calculating miles driven and gasoline purchased. Curiously, the screen on car indicates I am at 51.4 mpg. So I don't understand this discrepancy.

I have aired up the tires to 42 in front and 40 in back, originally they were at 34 psi.

I am driving slower than I am used to, but not sure I have the patience to drive only 60 miles per hour along Michigan highways where the speed limit is 70 and most everyone drives above that. I am going below the speed limit generally, but not as low as 60.
I prefer to use cruise control but I am reading that is not so efficient. Still testing the waters and exploring new ideas.

Suggestions are always appreciated.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/index.php?referrerid=1493

Hi Massageguy,

Actual fill vs the display (MFD) varies so much, due to both the gas tank bladder (which expands or contracts mostly with temperature) and because of variations between pumps and when they shut off. Also, the MFD tends to report a little high - I've got almost 21000 miles on mine and the MFD has averaged 2.7% higher than computed by actual fill. I get a ton of variation between fillups too, I've had individual tanks be off 15% actual vs. displayed. (Check out my log (http://www.cleanmpg.com/index.php?page=garage&displayunits=MPG(US)&viewcar=248) if you want - I put the MFD-reported MPG in the notes.) In the long term it will average out, but as I mentioned the MFD does tend to report a little higher than "actual".

Sounds like you've got the basics down already. Feel free to post any questions you have - or rave/rant about good/bad MPG days, traffic, etc where a lot of us hang out in the daily grind. (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=30)

Welcome to CleanMPG!

Welcome! We've got some very serious prius drivers here, and locutus and Larry are at the top of the list. Here's my Prius beginner's guide. And here's my post on how I drive my commute. Your numbers are very high for the first 5 tanks. Mine were terrible till I got through break-in. I'm still seeing numbers climb every week, and expect it to continue till about 30,000 miles.

If you got the time, I'd suggest running a 1000 mile oil change with Mobil-1. Make d4mn sure that they fill it to the right spot and don't overfill it, most new Prius are overfilled from the factory. The right spot is BETWEEN the low and high indicators, don't let the techs tell you "it will be fine", cuz it definitely chews away at your MPG.

On the recent tip list... Fill up in the morning, gas is colder and denser, so you get more gas in your car.

My FCD is very optimistic. Over 3% optimistic so far, but it's getting closer and closer to actual as time progresses.

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So a 1500 mile oil change is ok too ? And the reason to do so is to insure that I don't have more than 3.3 quarts of Mobil 1 oil in the engine ? What is the best way to explain to the Toyota dealer's service center that I want them to only use 3.3 quarts of oil ?

So a 1500 mile oil change is ok too ? And the reason to do so is to insure that I don't have more than 3.3 quarts of Mobil 1 oil in the engine ?Nope. The main reason is to get metal filings out of the block. It's theorized that there is left over machining waste (metal powder) in new cars. Flushing the oil early cleans this out. What is the best way to explain to the Toyota dealer's service center that I want them to only use 3.3 quarts of oil ?Tell them before they take the car that you won't pay for it until the oil is right *HERE* (while pointing to a spot on the dipstick). If they over fill tell them to do it again (and again) until they get it right. Probably be best to use their version of mobil-1 this first time, just to keep from paying for all the oil they dump on the redo's.

If they say "It doesn't matter", tell them "It matters to me". Also do all of this with the service manager at the same spot you picked it up. Don't be afraid to say "hey it's me, I'm back, remember, I bought the Prius from Bob last week". So long as they know that you bought from them it should put you in good favor. Also the fact that this is the first service you've received should keep them from wanting to taint your opinion of them. There are lots of places you can get service done. You CHOOSE them.

Anyway, I'm sure you can spin it a whole lot better (and nicer) than me. Helps to let them think they are right but to do it your way just cuz your particular and what not.

Another thing people try is magnetic drain plugs. It holds some of the metal dust from the oil and reduces work on the filter. May all be snake oil, but it only costs about $20.

good luck, and congrats on the new ride. Let us know when your ready for the block heater and EV button.

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I'd recommend just changing the oil yourself. It's fairly painless if you have or can obtain some ramps. 20 minutes, no overfill, save $$$. Heck, I even have 5 free ones at my Toyota dealer and I still prefer to do it myself.

I don't like people touching my Prius. haha. ;)

Here's some online help:

http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-oilchange.htm

Well I did get my oil changed but used only regular oil, Valvoline, because the Mobil 1 synthetic would have cost me at least an extra $15 for the oil change. I'm not clear that during the summer and warmer months it makes sense to use the synthetic oil since the main advantage is the cold weather lubricating properties.

The service clerk was suprised why I would want to change the oil at only 1,623 miles and why I insisted on only 3 1/3 quarts of oil be used. I explained that I wanted any engine metal waste to be flushed out through this oil change. The clerk said that as long as the car wasn't sitting around in the lot, which it wasn't, then there shouldn't be any metal dust or fragments. And he said usually 4 to 6 quarts of oil is used for oil changes, and he said no other Prius owner insisted on only 3 and 1/3 quarts to be used. I said it is supposed to help with fuel economy and also if too much oil is added to engine it leads to damage, but he said he never heard of that.

When the 20 something mechanic pulled my car up I said I wanted to see the dipstick and see that the oil level was a 1/4 of an inch below the full line. He got a rag, cleaned dipstick, showed me the oil level. It was difficult to discern where the oil level was, but I think it was below the full level, he said it was, and he said he only added the 3.3 quarts of oil like I asked.

I probably should do my own oil changes, but I really need someone to help me, and I will try to get one of my friends who is a car expert to help me at some point. Then when I am more confident I can do it on my own at some point in the future.

Also, I have ordered an engine block heater through the Milwaukee Prius group buy through an auto dealer in Cleveland, and when a certain number is reached of buyers, then we get a certain good price. Then I'll probably go to Chicago and get the group there to install it for me.

You want the oil where the "1" is, not where the "M" ("Made in the USA") is. About 1 inch below the "overfill" line sounds about perfect!
http://john1701a.com/prius/images/Prius_Oil-Dipstick.jpg

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Hi Massageguy:

___The next time you are in, ask the service department what they charge for an oil change if you bring in your own oil and filter. I take every vehicle I own into a local Honda dealership because they charge me just $10.00, pour exactly the amount of oil I request into them, hand me back the last ½ empty bottle (3.5 quarts of my own Mobil1 0W-20 and a SuperTech filter in the Prius-I and II) and I receive a free car wash in the process. If I go in on Saturday before 11:00, I even receive a catered lunch as well ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

HOLY CATS!! Lunch too?! Geez. I pay $26 bucks for them to use my stuff over at the Hyundai dealership I bought the car from and SOMETIMES I get the car washed.

I like the car and it wasn't too expensive, but the maintenance is danged expensive and based on what you just wrote the service sorta stinks, too. :rolleyes:

Hi Sean:

___The somewhat not local Toyota and even further away Acura dealerships want full price even if you bring in your own oil and filter so my vehicles don’t go there! Why not call around and see if you can find another dealership that offers the labor price only? The benefits are worth every penny from my local Honda dealership and I recommend them for everything other then purchasing PZEV’s in IL (another thread ;))! If it is $20 or more, I would do it myself but at $10 and a free wash, there is no reason to bother with recycling the wasted oil or waste the time.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

That certainly is a good idea to ask the dealership to just put in exactly the amount of oil and filter I bring over to them, and ask if there is an innocuous labor charge. I guess I'll just have to ask.

I noticed that my oil level seems to be about 1/4 of an inch below the full line and that is what is suggested in that pdf file I downloaded on how to change your own oil. So I assume that that part is done right.

I also noticed my driver's front tire seems to have a slow air leak since the pressure on it dropped a couple of pounds in one day. I'll keep checking that to see.

Well there was a nail in that tire. Now I got the tire repaired at a Goodyear Service Center for $18. Apparently the warranty on the tires that comes with the purchase of the Prius only includes manufacturer's defects.

On the bright side I was able to go 556 miles on only 9.5 gallons of gasoline boosting my fuel efficiency. I believe that could be due to driving slower on highways and coasting as much as possible, having the air in the tires up to 42 in front and 40 in back, and having changed the oil in the car at 1600 miles as was recommended. So that is all very exciting news.