"Roger (K8RI)" wrote:

My wife has a Prius which is a bit over a year old. I remember the
sticker EPA estimate was 50 mpg in town. I don't remember what it was
for highway but it was something like 5 % or so less.

The old EPA numbers for the Prius were 60 city, 51 highway, with the
combined at 55 mpg.

The EPA has revised how they calculate the numbers for the 2008 model
year:

48 City, 45 highway, 46 combined.

The car actually does get 47point something on average around town.
Highway is a bit less and on the order of 5 or 6%.

So it appears that the new numbers are quite realistic in your case.

I have seen people quote average mileage numbers as low as 25 mpg in very
cold or hot climates, to over 55 mpg under ideal conditions. Some quote
consistent numbers of 35 mpg. So it seems that people can experience a
great spread of fuel economy with the car.

My only complaint is the car is built like a beer can, or airplane if
you will :-)) It's also susceptible to winds. The effect of a 25 MPH
wind off the nose on the express way is immediately shown on the
computer and it's not trivial. OTOH if you can arrange for a tail
wind...:-))

I read an analysis somewhere once where they showed that between an 8 mph
quartering wind and an 8 mph tail wind, the fuel economy would vary by
about 15 mpg.

The obvious answer to the problem, just like with flying, is to always
ensure there is a tail wind.