Yep...... This is where people get in trouble. Some of "Those figures"
are really wacked. A while back, someone pointed to a "hybrid website",
which had a "comparison" of sorts that would allow you to put in your
vehicle and compare it to the Prius.
Problem is, the Prius numbers displayed with the wind at its back, and
every other vehicle must have been listed with MPG's into a 100 MPH
headwind. The data was just plain Wrong, as is often the case. Yet,
some people choose to really believe it.
The best way to see what something REALLY gets is to know a few
trustworthy and truthful people (seems many tend to inflate reality) or
search the web for USERS who make statements about their mileage. THEN,
you still have to weigh things out accordingly.
I have not seen references from newsgroup contibutors that indicate
routinely 60MPG city........ I HAVE seen a LOT of people who are LESS
than thrilled because they themselves have not been able to reach the
"numbers" proclaimed by the manufacturer.
The first poster IS correct to that extent.... Sure, its wonderful,
great, but as he likely knows, there were some mid 80's plain jane cars
that could do 45 on the road, no batteries, no radical electronics, no
future radical costs. I myself wonder what those cars will be worth
when the battery pack is finally kapuut. After all, if people are SO
energy aware, they should be in favor of KEEPING a car like that ON the
road rather than wasting energy melting it down to make a new one.
It will be interesting to say the least, to see where it goes.... Could
be the way of the Renault Fuego or Yugo....
Grummy
The prius is designed for low emmisions NOT fuel economy as strange as that
may sound. The ECMs in the prius will happily sacrifice economy to keep the
ICE (internal combustion engine), oxygen sensors, and catalytic converters
all at the optimum temperature.
As far as traction battery replacement goes there are 28 modules consisting
of 6 cells each in the 2004-2006 prius and each module can be replaced
individually in case a cell shorts or goes open circuit (highly unlikely).
If no cells short or open the whole battery will not just fail overnight and
need to be replaced it will gradually lose capacity over time. Lost
capacity will only result in a reduction in mileage due to not being able to
regenerate as much energy when braking and not being able to run as long in
"stealth".
Please do not apply the common problems with consumer NiMh batteries to the
prius battery because the prius keeps the battery between 40 and 80% charge
at all times unless you run out of gas and attempt to drive on electric only
in which case the battery will discharge further but will still shut down
before the point that there is not enough energy left to crank the ICE.
If you follow the advice of those who own the prius and keep the tires
inflated to the sidewall max cold pressure rating for the front and 2 PSI
lower for the rear (IE 44 front 42 rear) and use synthetic 5W30 oil at 1/4"
below the full mark you will be much more likely to achieve close to the EPA
numbers.
Note that I do not own a prius so I cannot verify this myself but I suspect
given the number of owners in the toyota-prius yahoo group that reccomend it
I suspect that it is true. At any rate if you live in an area that uses salt
on the roads in winter as I do (Iowa) the car will probably rust out before
the battery or engine wear out.
) enough