01. Model 1223A, 2010 Prius II; FB40; 7 year/ 100,000 Platinum (extended) warranty; finish: Blizzard Pearl (color advantages: dirt not readily apparent, more easily hides scratches, appears to reflect heat; stands out on road for extra safety); misty grey fabric interior;  date of purchase: Oct 5- Oct 9, 2009.

3rd Generation 2010: 90% newly-developed power train. / Coefficient drag 0.25% / 4 cyl engine at 1.8 liters with total horsepower at 134 hp. / Zero to sixty in 9.8 seconds. / Highly efficient LED headlamps use 20% to 30% less power than conventional incandescent bulbs. / Incredibly low CO2 emissions of between 86 and 97g/km (& zero emissions in EV mode, using electric power only!) / Click here for short Car & Driver VIDEO summary.

02. 2010 eco-innovation: New exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming the engine coolant faster during cold start-up / First belt-less Toyota engine that uses an electric water pump / Inverter, motor and transaxle are smaller,  20 per cent lighter /  Electronically controlled braking system now has control logic addition, to optimize energy regeneration / Much interior plastics are plant-derived and carbon neutral.

Atkinson Cycle Engine: From GreenCar.com … “The Prius uses a four-cylinder, 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine. The four-stroke Atkinson cycle, invented by James Atkinson in 1882, is different than the Otto cycle engine we’re used to driving in very distinct ways. Compared to the Otto cycle, where the intake valve is closed near bottom-dead-center, the Atkinson cycle does not close the intake valve at BDC, but leaves it open as the piston rises on the compression stroke. What this means is that some of the air/fuel charge is pushed back out and into the intake manifold and is used in other cylinders. This reduces the volume of the air/fuel mixture that’s compressed and combusted without severely restricting the throttle opening. Restricting throttle opening results in large pumping losses and greatly reduced efficiency. This method of reducing power output without incurring large pumping losses makes the Prius engine much more efficient than a conventional Otto cycle engine under most operating conditions. Effectively, the use of the Atkinson cycle allows the Prius engine to operate quite efficiently at relatively low power levels while still having sufficient power for climbing hills at freeway speeds.”

03. EPA fuel economy estimates: 51 city mpg (43 to 59 mpg) and 48 highway mpg (40 to 56 mpg). Fuel capacity: 11.9 gal. Estimated annual fuel costs: $780 (based on 15,000 miles at $2.60 per gallon). Click here for 50+ MPG VIDEO testimonials.   Every gallon of gasoline saved reduces personal fuel costs, America’s dependence on foreign oil, and releases 20 fewer pounds of CO2 gas into the atmosphere from the tailpipe! For improved mpg, see also Evan Fusco’s (PDF file) “Why Don’t I Get The EPA Mileage” analysis.

Aerodynamics: 2010 Prius received more hours of wind tunnel testing than any other Toyota in history, resulting in the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any mass-produced vehicle in the world. Wedge shape design with steeply raked windscreen and square rear end corners reduces aerodynamic drag. Shape of the body, underfloor, wheelhouse liner, fender liner, and front surface of the underfloor (plus added fin) reduces coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25, while greatly increasing linear stability. Note signature tall tall roof & short nose (compared to other cars). Pictured is 2004 Prius.

 

06. “Pulse and glide” is a hybrid term that refers to maximizing fuel efficiency. METHOD:  A) PULSE: Accelerate moderately to about 40 miles per hour. B) GLIDE: Ease off accelerator and coast (while energy from the wheels recharge battery). C) ACCELERATE GENTLY again, a maneuver that increases use of the electric motor. See detailed explanation at http://www.metrompg.com/posts/pulse-and-glide.htm

 

My driving style has ECO pressed frequently; PWR + ECO hit for startups at lights, merging traffic, etc., while EV + ECO punched whenever under 25 mph (e.g., approaching lights, entering housing development, etc.).  PWR use does not increases mpg much, if mastering “pulse & glide” method as described in paragraph directly above.

ASIDE: Special “B” shift (used sparingly for sharp declines primarily, or, it is good too for gentle slowing on slippery/ snowy curved roads) engages gas engine without starting it (i.e., no spark or gas), to provide drag on forward motion. Similar to shifting conventional car from D to L or manual transmission downshift.

 

  07. Tires. Comes equipped with Bridgestone  Ecopia P195/65R15. These US Department of Energy recommended “low-rolling resistance” tires deliver optimum fuel consumption (at slight loss in ride and handling.)

 

Rolling resistance. Tire shape constantly changes, giving off heat. Tread pattern, composition, weight, width and height contribute to it.  In standard vehicles up to 20% of fuel may be used to overcome this energy loss.

      08. Regenerative braking: this re-captures vehicle's forward kinetic energy (instead of dissipating as brake pad heat) to recharge battery. When applying Prius brakes,        regenerative braking uses electric motor, instead of traditional mechanical brakes, to slow car and generate electrical energy (while conventional braking applies at higher deceleration speeds).

WARNING: Regenerative braking affects the front wheels only to slow vehicle. If the front wheels lose a grip on the road – like hitting a bump or pothole – the Prius immediately switches to the standard anti-lock braking system (ABS/ friction brakes). Unfortunately, there is a slight delay, which causes a sensation of acceleration. The brief second phenomenon can be scary! In reality acceleration drops, but sense braking acceleration is in the negative direction, it feels like forward acceleration. The car does not gain speed or jump forward.

Driving Prius in the rain, according to Howstuffworks: No worry. The nickel-metal hydride battery pack is encased in a sealed metal shell (treated to resist corrosion), which is electrically isolated from current flowing from the batteries. Chemicals inside are designed to form a gel to protect ruptured batteries in a crash. In a rare case where water gets inside the shell, the battery is shielded by maintenance-free sealed cells. High-voltage lines that carry the current are similarly protected and insulated.(Prius need not dodge puddles.) Winter driving: Click here for PDF "Winter Misconceptions" about Prius.

09.  Cargo space is 21.4 cubic feet with the seats up, and 39.6 with the rear seats folded down. There is an additional 1.98 cubes under the rear floor panel.

Plant-based materials -- "ecological plastics" -- is found throughout the Prius. There are two types of ecological plastic: one produced entirely from plant stuffs, and another manufactured from a combination of plant and petroleum-based materials.   Ecological plastic is used for foam and injection molded parts, including the seat cushions, scuff plates and deck trim.

Low maintenance: Engine has no belts, i.e., no timing belt, alternator, starter motor or solenoid to go bad and need replacement. / The water pump and power steering are electric. / Regenerative braking (i.e., a process that converts the car’s forward momentum into storable electricity -- see glossary below) saves brake pads, rotors  & calipers.  Prius does NOT require a brake pad change until after 100,000 miles. / Because gasoline motor is always running while car is in operation, engine experiences less heat stress, which means the engine coolant can lasts 8 years!

COMPETITIVE COMPARISONS (OCTOBER 2009)

Year	Make	Model	MSRP	Passenger Volume (cu. ft.)	Cargo Volume (cu. ft.)	MPG combined
2010	Toyota	Prius-GEN III	$22,000	93.7	21.6	50
2009	Honda	Civic Hybrid	$23,650	90.9	10.4	42
2010	Honda	Insight-II	$19,800	85.0	15.9	41
2010	Ford	Fusion Hybrid	$27,270	99.8	11.8	39
2010	Toyota	Camry Hybrid	$26,150	101.4	10.6	34