Technobabble

Hybrid Gas Mileage: Does It Add Up?

Posted by on Dec 28, 2009 | 12 Comments

Does you car deliver the level of fuel economy that you were promised? Does any? There’s been a good bit of controversy whether hybrid gas mileage is all its cracked up to be. A number of disgruntled hybrid owners have even gone so far as to sue Honda, disputing the official EPA estimates on the Honda Civic Hybrid.

If you look at a window sticker (and I look at a lot of them), you’ll see two fuel economy numbers in big bold print — one for city mileage and one for highway mileage. (Since I don’t have my trusty vintage type gauge handy, I’d have to guess that they’re printed in 48-point Bold, or thereabouts.)

Underneath those big numbers, you’ll see some fine print… only it’s not all that fine (I’d estimate it at 10- or 11-point or so, in mixed Roman and Bold). The not-so-fine print reads: “Expected range for most drivers X to Y MPG.”

Yes, my friends, it’s the age old weasel word proverb, “Your Mileage May Vary…”

Fuel efficiency, no matter the vehicle, is largely based on driving skill. There are no magic potions. It is up to the driver to make the most of the wizardry under the hood.

Drive efficiently, and you will be rewarded. Go forth thoughtlessly and in a rush, and you will pay the penalty (and the service station attendant).

I’ve had the good fortune to have driven many of the current crop of hybrid cars. They deliver as promised (when properly driven).

Resource: 2010 Hybrid Gas Mileage

  • Marc

    It is not only the driver that may cause variance in the realized MPGs. With my Prius, I get about 48-51 MPG in the summer. In the winter (especially in a cold winter), I get only 41-43 MPG. Now while that is still an impressive MPG, it is almost a 20% drop in MPG. What I have noticed is that in the beginning of each trip I take, the MPG (averaged over each 5 minute period) is low (averaging only 25-30 MPG) for the first 5 to 10 minutes in the summer, and for a longer time (like 10 to 20 minutes) in the winter. My average commute time is 30-35 minutes. That means for about half of my winter commute, the car is still warming up, while it takes less than a third of my commute to warm up in the summer.
    As for the ability of the driver, I find the best tool for learning about how to improve my mileage is the instantaneous MPG display on my Prius. I have no idea if the Honda Civic hybrid has this feature, but I would be surprised if it didn’t. The feedback it gives in real time (well, pseudo real time) is essential in training yourself how to get the most out of the hybrid.
    Lastly, Dan, when was the last time you paid a service station attendant? For that matter, when was the last time you saw a service station? The current model for gas station includes no ‘service’ that I have seen. The days of an attendant pumping gas, checking your oil, and washing your windows is long gone.

  • http://www.geekbooks.com/ Dan Gray

    Good stuff, Marc! I’m working on a followup video/post about the drop in winter fuel efficiency.

    It’s a wonder that instant fuel economy gauges aren’t installed in every vehicle from the factory. All cars built after 1996 have the capability to display this data. I use an aftermarket gauge (either a ScanGaugeII or EcoMeter) when testing vehicles that lack a factory display.

    We still have service station attendants here in the great state of New Jersey, where self-service is BANNED. Can’t say that it’s great service, but at least there’s an attendant. Residents are not allowed to touch a gas pump. Crazy, ain’t it? :)

  • http://www.gadgetytech.com Dave Peterson

    I’ve been driving a Prius since 2001 (upgraded to a 2010 this July), and Marc’s observations are dead on and apply to my entire experience with hybrids. Cold makes a very big difference in system efficiency. Another factor is the engine control computer, which determines the timing of cutting back and forth from gas to electric power. My computer went bad, and after replacement , I saw an increase of about 8 MPG. Also, I’ve noticed that my 2010 is getting virtually identical mileage to my 2001, which is contrary to Toyota’s advertising, but speaks well for the original model.

  • http://www.tice.us Patrick Tice

    My 2005 Civic Hybrid gets 50+ MPG, measured both at the pump and by the instrumentation. This is in the summer, when I drive it.

    It is possible with my 20 YO son and my wife driving it in the winter on short trips, mileage can get as low as the high 20′s. I’d estimate the overall lifetime mileage in the mid to high 40′s, since I usually drive it, and for trips over 20 miles.

    Highway trips between MN and OH have yielded near 50 mpg. Wind direction makes a difference of +/- 5 mpg.

    Lawsuit? Learn to drive!

  • leftystrat

    There is also the question of cost and value.
    I own a pair of land yachts. However, there’s no way in hell I could afford a new hybrid, regardless of gas mileage, even in the long term. (even with the gov’t helping the mfgrs out)

    To be honest, these little cars scare me. I’d rather get 16-18mpg and survive a collision than 32-40 and die.

    Finally, hybrid hype is just that. Cars over 20 years ago got better mileage on gasoline alone. We’re being played.

  • http://www.myunv.com/ Sunny Singh

    One huge downside is that you need an Amazon account AND a credit card attached to it. Not so great for people like me who only download free apps.

    • http://chris.pirillo.com/ Chris Pirillo

      That’s not much of a downside, truth be told.

      • http://www.myunv.com/ Sunny Singh

        I guess they’re not in competition with the Android Market then.

        Unless having a credit card attached to my account benefits me somehow?

  • Sockmikey

    Just purchase yourself a visa gift card at a local store and add that to your account and you don’t need to worry about using your personal credit card

  • http://twitter.com/rifter Kevin Rank

    I use Star Wars Squadron names. Rogue, Wraith, etc.

  • Donnab

    I LOVE this app.  It’s so fast and easy.  Highly recommended.

  • http://www.letstalktablets.com letstalktablets

    Hey Dylan, very cool app and clever idea. Nice work. Do you think you’ll make an Android version at some point in the future?