First fill-up today 4/30

[JamesEX]

Hi all, I live in Hollywood, CA and filled up the tank for the first time today.
My MPG was roughly 34.3...mind you that I had the econ button off, used the a/c and basically drove how I would a standard car. However, I didn't drive over 65 and it was mostly city driving.Also it's a brand new car and I sure as heck didn't do any beating on it. Never used the paddles. Certain times I had to give it more gas getting on to freeways and such.
My second tank will be ECON all the way, and traffic pending of course, keeping it in the green.

Also, who knows how full the tank was when the dealer delivered it to me. It had 4 miles on the odom when I picked it up.

I'll hold back judgement until I finish my 2nd tank in green mode.



Thanks for the read.
James

Black EX w/Navi
Hollywood,CA

[bish79]

Hopefully your numbers will increase for you once the car breaks in. Here in the flatlands I am able to get 60 MPG in the city pretty easily. You, however, have hills and mountains and crazy drivers to deal with in SoCal. My advice... coast, coast, coast whenever possible and for as long as possible. The car uses ZERO gas when you are coasting and it recharges the battery so it can help you up those hills. You might also want to experiment with the paddle shifters while going up hills. I haven't had the chance to test it yet (no hills) but the physics seems to make sense that if you force the car into lower RPM's that it might help the MPG's.

[stevenvillatoro]

JamesEX, did you buy the Insight for economy, or for some other reason? It's odd that you chose your FIRST tank to stack the cards against MPGs... no 'econ' and no fuel-mindful driving style. I would think that most people who were looking for an efficient car would start out with a desire to maximize the car's potential. Just curious about your strategy!

[jraynor196]

Hi JamesEX-

I saw an MPG jump of about 7 MPG on my second tank as opposed to the first one. Mine had 2 miles on it when I bought it. First was ~45, second was ~52.

I find by getting up to speed "quicky" without hammering it and then getting off the gas is better than light pressure and maintaining a constant speed.

Don't be afraid to use gas to get going. I think your still in the break in period. I bet soon you will be cracking 40 with no problem.

[JamesEX]

Hey Steve.
I definitely bought the car for economy. I'm coming from a 1989 lifted Toyota 4 runner that got 15 MPG.
So basically my though process is to ramp up my fuel economy. Go from 15 mpg to 34mpg to hopefully 45 or higher mpg.
I guess I'm doing it backwards to some, but I figured I'm getting more than double the average I'm used to. So what the hell.

James

[JamesEX]

Bish and jr thanks for the tips. This is my first hybrid, but my brother owns a prius and I drove that a lot.
Good to know that I can get up to speed quicker rather than feathering the gas gradually getting up to speed. The guy in the car behind me will appreciate it too.

James

[epictempo]

Originally Posted by jraynor196

Hi JamesEX-

I find by getting up to speed "quicky" without hammering it and then getting off the gas is better than light pressure and maintaining a constant speed.

Don't be afraid to use gas to get going. I think your still in the break in period. I bet soon you will be cracking 40 with no problem.

Agreed, its better to get up to speed then constantly pressing the pedal. I always leave ECON mode on btw, even so...I have no problem catching up to traffic. I had a HCH '03 and the new Insight is way faster. My first tank average was 40 (dealer gas), second tank is currently at 42.5 (shell gas) so I believe your mpg will increase as well.

Btw, my ac is always on and I don't hypermile. I'm sure I could break 50 easily if I drive like granny. It's self-justification since I'm already getting double or even triple what most cars on the road get.

[sam21x]

I also had my first fill up today, with similar figures to JamesEX, I sure hope the stats improve shortly

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by JamesEX

I guess I'm doing it backwards to some, but I figured I'm getting more than double the average I'm used to. So what the hell.

James, thanks for the reply. Do you also eat your pie slice from the crust-edge first and save the pointy-center for last?

[JamesEX]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

James, thanks for the reply. Do you also eat your pie slice from the crust-edge first and save the pointy-center for last?

Yup. Why be normal?!