Fuel usage

 Does anybody know what is the real practical fuel usage of Prius?
Is anybody from Europe here? As I know the fuel in US is different than in
Europe so the real usage may be different. It is interesting also if engines for
U.S. market are specially prepared (changed), to conform to different gasoline?
The catalog consumption is about 4.3 liters per 100 km. Can anybody confirm this
value?

Thanks in advance,
Waldek

 
Replying from the US...

I don't know what the differences are between US gasoline and European
gasoline (except we *never* call it petrol ;-)  ). Ours is 87 octane
standard, average of research and measured octane. There are "premium"
grades usually of 89 and 91 octane, and those cause the US model Prius to
misbehave and can turn on the emissions light. Detergency varies widely
here. Many areas use 10-15% blend of gasoline and ethanol or MTBE, sometimes
only in winter months, sometimes all year.

Here we see a big difference in fuel usage with the weather. Very cold
weather increases fuel usage as much as 20%. Wet snow on the roads can make
it even worse. Otherwise I've been getting just about the catalog
consumption in mild weather in my 2002 (first generation) model, at 7000 ft
elevation and lots of hills.

Mike

 Also a reply from the US (Washington, DC climate). . .

Winter, I normally get around 45 mpg.

Spring/Fall is 55 mpg

Summer drops into the low 50s with air conditioner usage.

 
Waldek wrote:

than in

engines for

gasoline?

confirm this

Well, there are different fuel economy test cycles in different
countries, as well as different fuel blends (European is lower in
sulfur than in the US, for example), that can account for some of the
differing fuel economy numbers.

You'll find more European owners at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Prius-Europe/

 My first tank of fuel in Australia gave me a consumption of 4.9 litres
per 100km using 98 Octane fuel with most of the driving at highway
speeds. The Prius has a lower fuel consumption rate in stop-start city
driving which is usually the figure quoted in advertising the Prius. In
Australia the official tested consumption rate is 4.4l/100k, which I
would expect from my vehicle if all my driving was in city traffic, but
I would be more inclined to accept 4.8l/100km at highway speeds (100km/h
- NOT Autobahn speeds!)

Waldek wrote:

for

this