Did I just "Train" my car or my foot?

[broski499]

Hey guys and gals of effeciency.

So I just took a trip from Irvine to Mammoth in my 2008 Prius. First really long trip so I wanted to see what I could get MPG wise. The way up was rough, only avered around 45mpg, lots of uphill. 339 miles there

On the way back down though I was rocking 60mpg most of the way and when I finally got home it had settled to 55mpg. Personal Best! 339 miles back

So here is the question. I'm currently at 50mpg doing my normal around town driving when I'm usually closer to 45mpg. Did the prius recalibrate itself somehow on the long trip or has my foot become tuned after achieving the great 55mpg.

Other things that may affect it. I recently got new tires so they may have warn in now. LLR Ecopia.

Its Been Warmer the past week.

My foot and mind are now truly at one after such a long journey.

[user removed]

My brother said his Prius got and averag 5 mpg more on ecopias versus the tires that came on the car when he bought it used.

regards
mech

[gone-ot]

What's the altitude difference between Irvine and Mammoth? Powering UPHILL takes more fuel than coasting DOWNHILL.

[vskid3]

Way too many changes all at once to tell if the car is adapting. I'm not sure if it even can. Warmer temperatures help (until it's warm enough you use the AC), broken in tires help, and learning to drive the Prius helps (especially in city). On their own, any of those factors could at least come close to a 5MPG increase.

[broski499]

Thanks for all the info guys!

Def think the recent increase has to do with my new Ecopia tires finally getting worked in.

[redpoint5]

Need more info. How are you determining MPG (hand calculated, or from the guess-o-meter)? If you are using the guess-o-meter, it makes guesses based on Trip A miles driven. If you haven't reset Trip A miles since returning from your trip, it is factoring in your excellent fuel economy from the trip along with your normal around town driving.

Wearing in new tires and warmer weather will certainly help MPG.

I'd attribute the gain less to your foot than to other factors, unless you have been using the left pedal less than normal after the trip. In my Prius, it seems to matter less how I accelerate, and more that I keep my speed down and anticipate stops and slowdowns.

[JRMichler]

I make a regular trip of 72 miles, with a net elevation difference of 800 feet (11 feet per mile). I drive 55 MPH in the 55 limits, and traffic rarely affects the mileage.

The "downhill" run averages about 4 to 5 MPG higher, each 10 degrees F changes mileage almost 1 MPG, and a light wind (not enough to make flags straight out) another 2-3 MPG. I've seen over 40 MPG and less than 25 MPG on that trip. That's Scangauge MPG. My Scangauge reads about 5% low, so actual mileage is slightly better.

A more efficient vehicle will be affected more by elevation, and your average elevation change was 23 feet per mile. Your mileage difference could easily be completely explained by the elevation.

[broski499]

Originally Posted by Old Mechanic

My brother said his Prius got and averag 5 mpg more on ecopias versus the tires that came on the car when he bought it used.

regards
mech

I am seeing the same results, granted I'm only a half tank in but the ultragauge is showing higher MPG both around town and on highway.

Really hope this is what was holding Padme back!!!! ( name of pruis)

[broski499]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

What's the altitude difference between Irvine and Mammoth? Powering UPHILL takes more fuel than coasting DOWNHILL.

Oh I wasn't suprised about those results. I was more wondering what was causing my recent increase in average MPG around my home town. I've had the car for over a year now and with normal driving I've been averaging 45mpg. After coming back from Mammoth, my average mpg is right at 50mpg. I was thinking maybe the car had recalibrated, or my foot had somehow found the sweetspot at last, but after hearing from the other I've concluded its my new LLR Ecopias.

[broski499]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Need more info. How are you determining MPG (hand calculated, or from the guess-o-meter)? If you are using the guess-o-meter, it makes guesses based on Trip A miles driven. If you haven't reset Trip A miles since returning from your trip, it is factoring in your excellent fuel economy from the trip along with your normal around town driving.

Wearing in new tires and warmer weather will certainly help MPG.

I'd attribute the gain less to your foot than to other factors, unless you have been using the left pedal less than normal after the trip. In my Prius, it seems to matter less how I accelerate, and more that I keep my speed down and anticipate stops and slowdowns.

I'm using an Ultragauge and also comparing it to the Prius's built in system. When I actually plug in my MPG data on the fuel log I'm logging miles, gallons, cost.

I got the car in October of 2014 and have entered every tank since. I have never seen the car get this high of an average around town with normal driving.

I did reset since my last trip, got gas the day I got home so my long trip is not being factored into my current 50mpg avarage.