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j12piprius · 06-05-2014, 10:24 PM

The previous west trip averaged 50.7 mpg into a south wind for the first 25 miles, then turned west with a side wind, and ended up with a 60.6 mpg average. The last trip averaged 58.7 going south the first 25 miles, way ahead of record pace, quite encouraging, but then turned into a west wind the rest of the way, ending up with a 55.7 mpg average. The car was coasting so well the first 25 miles, and erratic the rest of the way. The wind was making unusually loud noise in the 1 inch gap of my window, but was it really responsible for the drop of the average?

Three possibilities are (1) the wind, (2) erratic resistance in the brakes, and (3) the bumper pan. Walking back to the car half way through an 8 mile trip today, I noticed the front bumper pan hanging down, which might have been the same way and causing resistance on the trip. The foam pan had been gorilla taped to the plastic bumper and came loose. I want to remedy all three of these as much as possible before the next trip.

My plan in the meantime is to:
1) improve coolant capacity for the hill;
2) install wheel gap strips, back wheel skirts & side skirts;
3) make sure the bumper pan is secure;
4) try several things to reduce wheel resistance.

Suggestions for any of these are much appreciated, especially regarding the brakes.

06-05-2014, 10:24 PM	#44 (permalink)
j12piprius Liberty Lover Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: central california Posts: 587 pris prius - '12 Toyota plug in prius 90 day: 71.09 mpg (US) Thanks: 439 Thanked 83 Times in 60 Posts	recent challenge rebuffed The previous west trip averaged 50.7 mpg into a south wind for the first 25 miles, then turned west with a side wind, and ended up with a 60.6 mpg average. The last trip averaged 58.7 going south the first 25 miles, way ahead of record pace, quite encouraging, but then turned into a west wind the rest of the way, ending up with a 55.7 mpg average. The car was coasting so well the first 25 miles, and erratic the rest of the way. The wind was making unusually loud noise in the 1 inch gap of my window, but was it really responsible for the drop of the average? Three possibilities are (1) the wind, (2) erratic resistance in the brakes, and (3) the bumper pan. Walking back to the car half way through an 8 mile trip today, I noticed the front bumper pan hanging down, which might have been the same way and causing resistance on the trip. The foam pan had been gorilla taped to the plastic bumper and came loose. I want to remedy all three of these as much as possible before the next trip. My plan in the meantime is to: 1) improve coolant capacity for the hill; 2) install wheel gap strips, back wheel skirts & side skirts; 3) make sure the bumper pan is secure; 4) try several things to reduce wheel resistance. Suggestions for any of these are much appreciated, especially regarding the brakes.