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After waiting 2 months, I finally puchased a 2008 Prius pk. #5 black. I payed sticker price, minus $200. I believe the current world energy climate and Toyota's ability to produce fewer Prius's then the market needs, caused me to pay about 1,500 more than I should have. But oil continues to climb, and climb much higher it will. Armed with my Prius and my knowledge of hyper-mile, bring it on. The dealership I used had average employees who looked talked in circles because they could not give me a straight answer on when a Prius would arrive in the package i wanted. It finally got here about 2 1/2 weeks ago. The car is nice. Really nice!
I immediately got the windows tinted. 3/4 tint in the back, 1/2 tint front side windows. Whow, the car looks tight.
The blue tooth is great, ipod jack handy. Sound system is 3 out of 4 stars. Nice, but needs more booommm. I got a laugh when I learned Toyota does not provide Prius owners with an AUX cord to connect the Prius to your MP3/iPod. Target sells 3ft or 6ft cords for $3.99. I love the touch screen display, it changes the way you drive. I sometimes find myself looking at it too much. I love the info display, which shows how the car is powering itself and the bar graph that gives 5 minute MPG feedback. Intense Prius Love!
I have gone through two tanks of gas. The first tank my wife and I averaged 52.7 mpg. The second 54.6. YA, THAT'S RIGHT. I have read post after post in many forums about drivers getting mpg in the 40's, even in the upper 30's. I believe the Prius can get in the mid 60's on a regular basis if one follows these rules:
1. After you read this post, run a search on "Pulse and Glide," and read it carefully on how to use this driving technique. It really works!!!!!!!!!
2. Avoid highways if you can. If you can't, get your Prius over into the right lane and take a deep breath. I like to drive 65-67 max on highways. This drives my wife nuts. 60 mph is the threshold, any faster then that you car is fighting wind resistance too much which cause a a drop in mpg. Who drives 60 mph, I do when my wife is not in the car. I think she will when gas become 6.00 per gallon soon. SOON! I sometimes have to drive in the mid 70's, because traffic here in southeastern Michigan gets intense at times. I can't believe I used to drive 80 in the left lane while tailgating others. I had a lot to learn back then.
2 1/2. When it rains, move over in your lane a bit to get out of the water on the road. Don't waste gas pushing water out of the way of your tires. Ride the tires on the high ridges where water cannot collect. I often put my right tire inches from or ON the white line. Now be careful, 'cause driving on the white line is not legal so I refuse to tell you to do that.
3. Use your info display to monitor your energy output/source. When you accelerate from a dead stop, keep the instant mpg abouv 15 mpg. When driving on moderately flat roads, try to keep you mpg as close to or above 50 mpg, and rock out the "Pulse and Glide."
4. Anticipate stop lights and stop signs so you can reduce the amount of breaking. I love to coast and see my mpg hit 99.9.
5. Here is a no brainer: don't punch the gas and don't spend time changing lanes like an ***hole on highway. The more you keep the tires facing straight the less friction is created and less energy is required and wasted. Sorry about the language.
6. Optional but fun: take off you shoes. Now become one with your Prius....use the force. Now you can accelerate slowely to save mpg. Make sure to put your shoes close to the seat so you do not get one stuck under your break peddle.
7. Keep you windows up, enjoy the AC. It's a myth regarding 4 Down / 60 Go.
8. Listen to Widespread Panic, Space Wrangler, from start to finish on your next road trip to gain an additional 2.7 mpg.
I found some cool decals on line that say PRIUS / HYBRID in the Prius font (black, white, dark gray). You can put them on the bottom of both of the rear doors. I decided not to put them on and put the smaller ones on various places around the car (inside passenger door molding...cool to look at when someone opens the door, and I also put one on the rear bumper as you open the hatchback just inside the door so you cannot see it when it the hatch is closed. The decals are in dark gray. Looks great against the black paint.
I did get the paint protection from the dealer as well $219.00. I figure hey, get it panted in 4 years 11 months. I also purchased from the dealer all weather mats for 79.00. They said that was their cost. Although expensive, they fit perfect and look great. Don't get cheep on floor mats, they slide around.
I have no problem filling up the gas tank. Again, I read posts where owners complain about filling up. Bottom line:
-fill up in the morning or late at night when the ground is coolest and the gas is at a cool temp. Gas goes into the tank easier when it is not hot. Also, some gas stations have pumps with high pressure then others. Avoid those gas stations.
-don't jam the nozzle into the Prius. Put it in about 3/4 way. The capacity of the Prius fuel tank is 11.9. I have put 11.4 gallons in on each of the fill ups.
-again deep breaths are good here. With a Prius, no gas gets into the air so you can take a deep breath and still keep those brain cells. Now when I get home that is a whole different story. :) Peace.
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New Owner's Observations, how to pound mpg!
Jun 27 2008, 09:26 AM
