Unbelievable but true...
In mixed city and highway driving
Had we relied on the onboard computers, the Prius would have won by a landslide, as by the end of the trip they read 57mpg and 42mpg for the Prius and Jeep respectively.
However, to get the real figure, we calculated consumption based on how much fuel each car had used over the 160 miles. The result was astonishing: both cars had used nearly identical amounts of fuel. The Jeep had averaged 38.9 mpg - only 3.1 mpg less than its computer had recorded. However, the computer of the Prius appeared to be telling whoppers: it actually achieved just 39.9 mpg - a massive 17.1 mpg less than it had claimed.
The highlighted part is the truly unbelievable part.
Keeping in mind we need more detailed in formation here............. there could be some bladder expansion issue at work in the above.............
IMO, 80 -95% plus of the individually reported and inexcusably, - the 'Press' reported mileage figures are wrong - way overstated for many years worth of Honda and Toyota 'high mileage' oriented hybrids.
Many rely on the computer and the Prius fuel bladder with all its functional shortcomings makes filling and measuring accurately very difficult - which 'tends' to net optimistic numbers as well although not always - it can go the otherway as well.
IMO, Its a scam thats gotten Honda into a class action lawsuit that was originally going to include Toyota for primarily the Prius.
My understanding ( from over a year or two - or more ago ) is that they ( Toyota ) developed a magic complaint procedure - dialogue to avoid inclusion - thats old info so don't know where things are now.
Notice how once again, our press, and not just the automotive corps - doesn't cover this timely issue. Total FAIL.
If this was GM and Ford it wouldn't happen this way.
The best recent example of this kinda' media crap is the recent Leftlane News 'advertorial' for the below Edsel - reigning sales disaster champion ie the Lexus LS600h L.
Compare their 'observed' fuel economy versus any of the others in the UK, Europe, and even here with
Motortrend.
The net average onboard reporting error for Honda and Toyota hybrids - so affected - we must say that because one would think at some point this had to be 'adjusted' - then again maybe not or maybe only 'partially' - is in the realm of 15 -20% although it can be much higher for shorter periods of time.
Some would say its in the realm of 15-25% - with a max of about 40 - 45% - seems to be dependent on environmental conditions Xs duty cycle.
Year, make, and model does/may matter as well - its not exactly clear.
In two senses its an erratic type of error - it doesn't happen all the time nor the same way when it does - and the amount of error both percentage wise and in terms of the ordinal amount appears to float around a bit as well.
Interestingly enough, Toyotas and Hondas on board systems never seem to have been reported as reading low. :lmao::lmao:
Also of interest - the more performance oriented models from both appear to net less error - the discontinued Accord Hybrid probably was best with the least amount of error % wise.
Remind yourself of why that one failed in the market place ......................
Fords and GMs don't seem to do this - if anything some of GM's (BAS) appear to read low.
