[bilmat]

I thought I would start a new thread asking owners to again report what they are getting in gas mileage. The first thread (Real World mileage performance) is seven pages long at the moment and includes 61 posts. But of those, only 17 owners reported the mileage they say they are receiving. These are mileage figures from those 17 posts:

44.6
50.1
44.3
53
47.8
44.1
44.3
38.9
45
45.89
45
45.7
40.5, 49 and 52 by one poster
39.8 and approx. 50 by another poster
44.3, 43..3 and 42.7 by a third poster
49.2
43.4

What I find a little troublesome is that I just topped off my tank for the third time (2 clicks, then hang up the nozzle). Using a calculator to divide the number of gallons into the mileage shown on the trip meter, the three fill-ups have shown 36.4, 36.8 and 36.5, which is very close to what the computer on the dash has been showing.

Virtually all of my driving is in the normal mode. I've only used the Power setting a couple of times (out of curiosity), and I don't use the Eco mode because I don't care for the sluggish throttle response. I don't hot rod the car, nor do I consciously feather the throttle to try for the best mileage. My driving habits can best be described as "moderate." Cruise control is used when conditions permit.

I'm not necessarily complaining about the 36+ mpg I'm receiving because it's far better than what I receive with my other rides, with the exception of the M/C. But based on the mileage I'm getting compared to the figures above, my CT seems to be a "gas guzzler."

By now, many CT owners must have checked to see what kind of mileage they are receiving. If you are one of them and wouldn't mind sharing the information, I for one would like to see the figures.

 

[cenix]

bilmat, i will share. though i was going to post in a separate posting of my findings, i think having all the information here will probably be a better way for members to compare their mileage figures.

first, my driving style with this car is most well described as light/moderate. i do not accelerate hard (sport mode only on freeway onramps when i need to or overtaking on the highway) and try to induce "ev" mode as much as possible during city driving without posing as a nuisance to other drivers behind me so i don't hold up the flow of traffic. i keep my car's load light unless doing the costco/grocery thing. with that, on to the numbers, with each number representing each tank of gas filled:

1. 87 octane, 400 miles / 8.54 gallons filled / 46.8 mpg
2. 91 octane, 397 miles / 8.78 gallons filled / 45.2 mpg
3. 87 octane, 442 miles / 9.35 gallons filled / 47.3 mpg
4. 87 octane, 422 miles / 9.09 gallons filled / 46.5 mpg

i'm on my 5th tank of gas right now (on 87 octane) and will be doing a consecutive run of three tanks of 91 octane afterwards just to see if there is any difference in fuel consumption and/or driveability while trying to maintain my same driving habits as best as possible.

i hope others will post up with some data for comparative purposes.

 

[Claude]

I'm averaging 43-44 miles/gallon since I bought.
This is because I've been doing highways at 72-73 miles an hour on a very regular basis.
On the tank I'm on right now, I'm at 50 as we speak. I've been carefull to drive at 60 miles on highway and normal in the city, which means normal carefull. Not crazy carefull.

 

[rise&demise]

Over the past several tanks I've gotten right around 42 mpg. This is short of the 44.5 mpg shown by the car's display. I've noticed that the readout drops when driving around the city and climbs when driving on the highway. This is contradictory to the vehicles mileage standard. I'm sure there is no way I could touch 43 mpg doing strictly city driving.

 

[corrado_mr2]

I'm in Normal mode 95% of the time. 3-4% in EV mode, 1-2% in Sport. I consider myself to accelerate "normally" - I keep up with traffic, but no jackrabbit starts. The best way to describe my acceleration is the gauge hits the "w" in the "Power" section and stays there for a few seconds until I hit the desired city traffic speed. From there I ease off and the car's in Eco mode, mostly in the middle to 2/3rds up. As I ease off on the accelerator and coast, EV mode kicks in fairly often to further the mpg. Daily, when I'm about 1 mile from my home, I engage the dedicated EV-mode and stay under the 25 mph (42km/h) limit. My daily commute one way is 22 miles (33 km), city driving. The odd short trip to the corner store worsens the fuel economy so I try to avoid those. I will also consciously drive behind slower traffic (right or middle lane) to avoid accelerating and decelerating more aggressively in the left lane and consuming more fuel. To wreak in the high mpgs once the engine is warmed, you need to drive for at least 10-15 minutes.

REAL-WORLD NUMBERS (and they very closely match the computer readout):

Tank 1 - 44 mpg (ave temp = freezing mark)
Tank 2 - 50 mpg (ave temp 5 C or 41F)
Tank 3 - 51 mpg Tank not complete (ave temp 8C or 45F)

I wanted to break the 50 mpg mark and I did with just some basic careful driving. Needless to say, I'm extremely pleased. I could only expect even higher MPGs as the temp rises and car engine breaks in. Hitting 55 MPG is VERY do-able, maybe even 60!

 

[rehabmax]

April 11, 2011 filled up with 8.65 gallons after 398 miles. "cruising range" remaining said 17 miles.
Real world mileage of 46 mpg.
This is staying fairly consistent after 3 fill ups.
The computer estimate is fairly close to this.

 

[CT200h48]

46.5 mostly city driving you have to drive just like he said above. Keep it out of the power and drive with the needle in the middle economy. Get up to speed and feather the gas to keep it in ev mode as long as possible. Watch signal lights and stop signs and coast up to them. If you drive like you would in a non hybrid your mileage will not be as good. I have a Prius so I've had practice. My Lexus is out doing my Prius right now. 45.7 Prius same driver same terrain.

 

[haitoku]

bilmat, I was in the exact same confusion as you were a week ago, being confused as to why other users are getting much greater mileage than I was, while knowing that I was pretty moderate and careful driver.

Then some users pointed out the "Pulse and Glide" technique, and I've tried it for a few days now and my fuel efficiency has increased from 39MPG to 43MPG!!

Corrado_MR2 pretty much described it a few posts up, and here are some good reads too:
Driving technique: exploring 'Pulse and Glide' - MetroMPG.com
Saving Fuel in a Hybrid - Tricks and Techniques For Hypermiling - What is Hypermiling

But beware it takes time to master this technique and requires a lot of patience!

 

[bilmat]

bilmat, I was in the exact same confusion as you were a week ago, being confused as to why other users are getting much greater mileage than I was, while knowing that I was pretty moderate and careful driver. Then some users pointed out the "Pulse and Glide" technique, and I've tried it for a few days now and my fuel efficiency has increased from 39MPG to 43MPG! But beware it takes time to master this technique and requires a lot of patience!

I think I found one of the reasons why my mileage as been just a little over 36. As a retiree, almost all of my trips have been short, seldom more than a 4 or 5 miles. This morning I took the CT out for an hour's drive. When I left, the dash computer registered 36.4. An hour later when I returned home the computer was showing 37.8 (the first time since I've had the car that it was over 37).

I'll give that "pulse and glide" method a try with the next tank. If the computer shows I'm getting in the low to mid 40s, I'll assume there is nothing wrong with my CT, then go back to the driving style that I find most comfortable. I don't put on the mileage that workers do who use the car to commute every day, and I'll be happy with 36-37 as long as I'm confident there is nothing wrong or out of adjustment with my CT.

 

[Bob259]

bilmat, Mine is around there as well, but like you short trips and I live on a hill and it's been real cold here. The other day I was out and driving on level ground and my mileage jumped to 45MPG, then got back to our hill and by the time I got to the house it was at 39mpg. The weather is getting warmer which will help and they will be switching to the summer blend on the gas which shuold also help. Pulse and Glide, when done correctly, will really boost your mileage.

 

[haitoku]

I think I found one of the reasons why my mileage as been just a little over 36. As a retiree, almost all of my trips have been short, seldom more than a 4 or 5 miles. This morning I took the CT out for an hour's drive. When I left, the dash computer registered 36.4. An hour later when I returned home the computer was showing 37.8 (the first time since I've had the car that it was over 37).

I'll give that "pulse and glide" method a try with the next tank. If the computer shows I'm getting in the low to mid 40s, I'll assume there is nothing wrong with my CT, then go back to the driving style that I find most comfortable. I don't put on the mileage that workers do who use the car to commute every day, and I'll be happy with 36-37 as long as I'm confident there is nothing wrong or out of adjustment with my CT.

Yeah your short 4-5miles trip could be a cause, so don't be surprised if you still can't reach our MPG numbers by the end of your next tank. But I'm sure your mileage would definitely improve if you use pulse and glide.

Some more advices:
- I accelerate to my desired speed, then try to ease on the gas until the energy meter on the left side of the dash board is at the 9 o'clock position or below. Often times if your engine is warmed up enough the green "EV" light will come on (if not, lower the meter a bit more) and that's the "glide" part, and that's what you try to strive for in the majority of your driving.
- Cherish all the downhill slopes you can get, and accelerate to the appropriate pace as you reach the start of the slope, and then ease off gas to glide with the EV light on.
- Beware that in the first few days your eyes will be glued to the energy meter and real time fuel consumption meter, so try to remember to keep your eyes on the road too!

 

[Kostamojen]

First fill up: 232 miles, 5.811 gallons = 39.93 MPG

 

[mdarkcloud]

Took delivery two weeks ago. Premium with Nav. trying to keep A/C and Heat at a minimum. Just filled my CT up for the first time knowing the "top of the tank" using 87 octane. It came in at 46.43 mpg. I have been in ECO mode with a little bit of SPORT. Never touched NORMAL mode. I have occasionally been coasting in neutral on long hills. 1/2 short city trips and 1/2 highway at 60-65mph and trying to keep in the mid Eco range. Easy acceleration form standstill and trying to keep the gan and electric motors working together.

 

[canvecchio]

582 miles total since delivery. Dashboard average: 46.6. Calculated fill up average: 45.9. Checked the odometer against a measured mile (3 runs) and found it about 1% optimistic. Negligible. 53.3 mpg "current average" on 105 mile round trip yesterday on lightly traveled, mostly 2 lane US highway at 60 (cruise control) about 60% of the time. Slowed to pass through built up areas. Normal the whole trip except brief use of sport (first time) to pass a truck. Pleasantly surprised at how well it responed. Noy my turbo charged Volvo, but very respectable.

 

[canvecchio]

forgot to say I haven't made any conscious effort to change my driving style. Seldom look at the mileage gauge, but when I do, the needle has always been in the Eco range. Except when I passed the truck in Sport.

 

[MasterG]

Just got my CT last 2 days, running almost 200km. Average now 5.4L/100km

 

[jimmyc13]

bilmat - Yeah, something doesn't seem right. Any chance you'll need some service at the dealer any time soon/perhaps you can grab a loaner CT from them (wait, they probably don't have any), but maybe you can test drive one of theirs and drive the same way you do now to compare?

 

[danrichman]

Is anyone out there doing hypermiling techniques like pulse and glide, driving without brakes, driving under load, etc.? How about overinflated tires, eliminating excess weight, staying under 60 MPH?

I'm very curious to know how such measures influence MPG in the CT200h. I'd like to get 50 MPG or better consistently and wonder if it is possible.

 

[coubs]

Note to the Canadian drivers to state your mpg's in US or Imperial or both like I am. This might be the reason for some of the varying numbers we are reading?

My first 2 tanks were 41/49, 43/52 (USmpg/IMPmpg). Now I am trying to use/learn the pulse and glide method and it is really helping. The first 2 tanks were in Eco mode but now (after reading posts here) I am in normal mode. I find that I can be in EV mode more by accelerating normally to my desired speed then taking my foot gradually off the gas until the EV light comes on (or the current consuption screen shows 0l/100kms). Then I find I can maintain EV mode while the needle on the hybrid gauge is at 9 o'clock (like haitoku says) or on the "C" in ECO. This tank has been all city driving at speeds 50-70kph (under 40 mph) and after half a tank I am at 47 USmpg or 56 Imperial mpgs!
So I really think the pulse and glide method works and it doesn't affect your normal driving habits too much.

 

[jimmyc13]

Thought I would revive this thread a bit. This car absolutely ROCKS with its above sticker mileage! I just achieved 47.3 MPG (100% highway) this morning on my 30 mile highway drive. My speed ranged from 60 mph up to as high as 75 mph, all 4 windows were down and the sunroof open. AMAZING! If you really baby it and have the windows up (no AC), I've gotten as high as 52 MPG on the highway!