we love our new 04 Prius #9 package but we are getting 46MPG highway and only 45MPH city. Feedback is appreciated from other ownerw of 04 model's so we can feel better about our numbers. Any comments arae welcomed. Other than this, we are thrilled with it!

From what I have read here, the mileage estimates on new vehicles are conducted under standardized conditions -- conditions you will find only occasionally in your every-day driving. They are set so different makes/models of cars can be compared. Your own experience will tell you what to expect from your car. I get about 47 mpg on average (15,000 miles and a year in a 2004 Prius). Watch the gauge on the dash. From a cold start I get about 5 minutes at 25 mpg. However, I can cruise along on a boulevard, catch all the lights, don't climb any hills, and I can average 75 mpg for a stretch. But over all, boulevards and freeways, up and down hills, I average 47. I am way ahead of the game -- I used to drive an SUV. Ellen carlent44

In San Francisco, with the hills, I get just 35 MPG. I get 45 MPG at 75 MPH though.

On Nov 22, 2004, at 7:33 PM, josephfinkleman wrote I suspect that another primary factor is the percentage of your driving with your engine at normal engine temperatures. My 2002 (22,000 mi) typically avgs 38-40 mgg, with 43/40 tire psi and most of the other "tricks". Mileage 43 and above occur only on long trips. > >

good points but what worries me is that we were getting 46 to 47mpg and then it just dropped in one day to 38mpg and then it has stayed at 38 now for 4 days with our driving habits the same as when we were getting the 46 to 47mpg. Most of this driving is intown at speeds less than 45mph. Any thoughts? william siprelle

winter gas in Florida? Really? could that make an 8MPG difference? Troy Heagy