Andrew Toyota Scion

		Customers who buy the Toyota Prius and other Toyota Hybrid Vehicles generally do so because they’d like to experience better fuel economy.  As with any other car – how you drive a Toyota hybrid will greatly affect what your fuel efficiency is.  Here are some suggestions that we’d like to share to help you make your gas go further when you’re cruising the streets of Milwaukee.

2.  Minimize sudden stops.  The regenerative braking system on the Toyota Prius recaptures energy generated when your vehicle uses its brakes (stops).  Even braking allows your Prius to recapture more energy (providing a greater battery charge) than sudden stops.  If you aren’t sure what cosntitutes “even braking” – check out the LCD monitor on your Prius.  Look for the arrows leading towards the battery as you brake.  This arrows are feeback – and let you know that you are charging the battery.  Many Prius drivers use this feedback to adjust their braking style to a more fuel efficient one.

3.  Don’t speed!  The fuel efficiency of your Prius goes down at higher speeds.  Customers tell us (we wouldn’t know because we only drive the legal speed limit) that at speeds greater than 70 MPH they notice a clear affect on their fuel efficiency.

4.  Accelerate moderately.  If you stomp on the gas pedal as hard as you can, generally, the gas engine will be responsible for helping you accelerate.  If you accelerate evenly and moderately, the electric motor will often be able to assist in the acceleration – saving you fuel economy.

5.  Drive longer.  Like any other car, your gasoline engine requires more gas to “warm up”.  Once the engine is warmed up, it consumes less gas.     Some Prius owners who want the very best gas mileage will link trips.  Run all of your errands at once.  It will save you gas and save you time!

6.  Use Air Conditioning system only when you need it.  The air conditioning system does decrease fuel economy.  We love Milwaukee’s mild summers and so does the Toyota Prius.  You can simply use the vent mode (taking air from the outside – as opposed to using the AC system) on cooler summer days – which will help you get better gas mileage.

7.  Don’t haul around uneccessary loads.  You know those 80 pound bags of sand that your <random friend/family member>  said you should put in the back of your car to help you in the winter?  They don’t help you.  At all.  Your car is front wheel drive and has great safety features.  Ditch the dead weight!