Fuel Economy

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

If you use the same hypermiling techniques plus the special ones for the Prius, the Prius would have a much higher MPG than the average.

That's certainly true, but then you'd have spent at least twice as much for the Prius which takes an awful long time to break even on, and there are batteries to contend with.

Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with batteries and would absolutely love to have an electric car. I just don't care for the hybrid concept, or the tiny battery that the Prius uses which mandates a lot of load on it.

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by BailOut

That's certainly true, but then you'd have spent at least twice as much for the Prius which takes an awful long time to break even on, and there are batteries to contend with.

Don't get me wrong - I have no problem with batteries and would absolutely love to have an electric car. I just don't care for the hybrid concept, or the tiny battery that the Prius uses which mandates a lot of load on it.

I've purchased all my cars used. I've seen a used Prius at Enterprise for around 16-17k. My used Yaris was 10,600. I commute 130 miles a day but I don't plan on having this commute forever. I would probably break even sooner than the average person but you can't go wrong with either car.

There are reports of the original batteries on Ford Escape hybrids running past 300,000 miles. http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/...000-plus-miles A Prius taxi driver in Canada was still running past 200,000 miles. I don't have any doubts about maintenace or longevity on the batteries.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by KrazyDawg

I've purchased all my cars used. I've seen a used Prius at Enterprise for around 16-17k. My used Yaris was 10,600. I commute 130 miles a day but I don't plan on having this commute forever. I would probably break even sooner than the average person but you can't go wrong with either car.

There are reports of the original batteries on Ford Escape hybrids running past 300,000 miles. http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/...000-plus-miles A Prius taxi driver in Canada was still running past 200,000 miles. I don't have any doubts about maintenace or longevity on the batteries.

You can always find the exception to the norm. All it takes is one time and you are stuck with a fortune in battery replacement costs. A Yaris battery is cheap..and the cost benefit of a Yaris over a Prius or any other hybrid is a no brainer.

[KrazyDawg]

Originally Posted by daf62757

You can always find the exception to the norm. All it takes is one time and you are stuck with a fortune in battery replacement costs. A Yaris battery is cheap..and the cost benefit of a Yaris over a Prius or any other hybrid is a no brainer.

It's unfortunate when it happens even to the most reliable brands out there. A battery replacement at Art's Automotive would be around $2850 (including labor) if the battery packs remain at $2500. http://www.artsautomotive.com/hybrid...e-prius-hybrid

Battery replacement on 1st gen Prius: http://www.artsautomotive.com/hybrid...ius-hv-battery

Art's Automotive from a mechanic's standpoint does point out that overall the maintenance cost and gas savings on a hybrid will cost you more than purchasing a high MPG commuter car like the Prius or "new" Fiesta.

I'm still trying to break the 40 MPG barrier and I have an Ecometer on the way. I'm going to try testing it with A/C on/off, fresh air vs circulating with with A/C off, etc to see what the MPG impact is.

[Thai_Dang]

I only get 37.3 mpg with AT. Wondering if I could get better? I do 60% hwy, 40% city, live in suburb Garden Grove, CA. I accelerate really slowly, time red lights and limit brake lights, limit idling, go 5 mph below speed limit in city, go 65 mph on freeway, no AC usage. Have 0w20 syn motor oil. How do you guys get above 40 mpg or even 50? I believe I drive slower than 100% of the people in my area.

[brg88tx]

Originally Posted by Thai_Dang

I only get 37.3 mpg with AT. Wondering if I could get better? I do 60% hwy, 40% city, live in suburb Garden Grove, CA. I accelerate really slowly, time red lights and limit brake lights, limit idling, go 5 mph below speed limit in city, go 65 mph on freeway, no AC usage. Have 0w20 syn motor oil. How do you guys get above 40 mpg or even 50? I believe I drive slower than 100% of the people in my area.

tires pumped up to 45? i think this is the best single thing to improve mpg on any vehicle.

[Yaris Hilton]

That's about what I get, doing all of the above and with tires pumped to 44 PSI. Nearly all my driving's in town, though.

[Hershey]

we achieve 40+ for both automatics with 35 > 36 P.S.I.. Just filled the sedan earlier and got 41.35 miles per gallon .

[docB]

Since I have owned my Yaris, including all the gas I've put in, my overall mpg is currently over 41. I just drive it. I shut off at long lights, it has been over 90mph, just auto crossed it last weekend. It has been to the fuel cut off. I get stuck in stop & go traffic. 42 psi frt, 35 rear. Synthetic oil, some stuff stripped out. 45mpg one time high on a tank full. Put 14" BBS wheels w/ 185/60-14 and it runs even better. I put photos on the forum.
doc
12k on it now in 13 months

[krolos]

There seems to be real difference what mpg people get in there Yaris,
I know drive style, Auto Vs manual and hybermile tricks account for some Of
that, but could it be that some Yaris just simply gets better mpg than others
regardless of Driver ,I am thinking there must be some kind of technical inconsistency in the engines or computers, there seems to be a fair amount
people here with similar driving styles, but big difference in mpg.

[SpaceShot]

I don't think the inconsistency theory about engines holds up.

I got 20-25% over EPA in my last ride which was a Suzuki XL-7.
24Mpg for a small/mid size SUV is not that bad.
But with the Yaris, and starting with an EPA rating of 36, my commute average is 45. It took 16 months to get from 38 to 45, but now it is very consistent.

Small tweaks (improved oil, filters, aero changes) by themselves might only get 1mgp improvement, but several of them combined with great driving will get very good mileage numbers.

[42ezra]

I own a 2008 hatchback and used to average 35 mpg with fast starts from lights and high speed on the interstates - all of a sudden when odometer turned over 70,000 typical mpg declined to 28. I have been using A/C this summer but also used A/C in the past. How can I check my emissions status, O2 sensor, etc. Anybody have any thoughts? Thank you for your kind attention.

[SpaceShot]

The ScanGuage has ability to read engine error codes and it would be worth your time to borrow one for a week or more.
If you want to spend just a little money you can get a Toyota capable engine code reader or have a local shop plug one in a give you a printed report.

I think an O2 sensor going bad at 70K is a little early. But emissions related devices are more likely than other items.
However, I would also look toward your wheels. (really low tire pressure, stuck or dragging caliper, serious misalignment) 70K worth of New England potholes could most certainly have worn something out...

[mkaresh]

O2 sensors can go at any time, it seems. But in this case there would be a CEL.

[henry33]

I get the fuel consumption of 5.5 l/km, should be something around 43 mpg I do not really know how you are able to get 50 mpg
I have 1.33 1nr-fe engine and manual 6 speed trany ;) it helps a lot on the highway ;) nut still not able to get 50 :(

[Eatoman]

I get stuck in stop & go traffic. 42 psi frt, 35 rear.

Does it make a difference in gas mileage if you inflate the front tires more than the rear?
I currently have all tires at 40psi...

[nmgolfer]

Originally Posted by henry33

I get the fuel consumption of 5.5 l/km, should be something around 43 mpg I do not really know how you are able to get 50 mpg
I have 1.33 1nr-fe engine and manual 6 speed trany ;) it helps a lot on the highway ;) nut still not able to get 50 :(

Drive like a sailor.... Think SMOOOOOOOOOTHHHH....Don't turn that tiller or you'll scrub off some speed. Pretend you don't have any brakes and drive accordingly. When I was a kid my boss had a truck with crappy brakes I occasionally had to drive... Old Swede farmer that he was, he had no sympathy for me and simply said: don't get into a position where you need your brakes! I still drive that way today nearly forty years later and I still have nightmares of standing on those brakes and that thing slooooooowly coming to a stop.

Thing is anytime your foot is off (I mean off) the gas pedal you're getting better than 200 mpg (ac off right?) It adds up. Too bad our littl' Yaris doesn't have regen brakes say spinning up a little flywheel so we wouldn't have to feel so bad about using them... In time it will I suppose

[STC]

Originally Posted by henry33

I get the fuel consumption of 5.5 l/km, should be something around 43 mpg I do not really know how you are able to get 50 mpg
I have 1.33 1nr-fe engine and manual 6 speed trany ;) it helps a lot on the highway ;) nut still not able to get 50 :(

Drive below 55 MPH (88 KPH). Be very gentle on the accelerater, as if it is an egg! Pump up your tires to manufacturer maximum rating. Use long in gear glides on hills/grades... coasting. Drive 70% of the time or above highway miles. Limit your weight of car...

Cheers!