Mera (my Toyota Prius) has not been achieving the same level of fuel efficiency that she attained just a month ago. At her best, I was regularly getting just over 50 mpg on the highway and sometimes as high as 68 mpg in town. Yesterday, my drive home only reached 39 mpg. Lately, I've been averaging around 44 mpg. It makes me sad.
I believe the lower gas mileage has two culprits: a strong headwind on my way home and the car's heater being active. On the day when I didn't need the heater, Mera's gas mileage was considerably better. I have also noticed the wind more now that the trees are leafless.
I know that it seems strange that I'm complaining about gas mileage that is 40 mpg or higher, but I had come to expect much better. Considering how tight our finances have been, I also want more reasons to justify buying this more-expensive car. Saving money on gas was supposed to be one of the main reasons, but gas prices have been going down and now my gas mileage is going down.
I'm still glad that I purchased Mera. She has been my favorite out of the eight vehicles that we have owned. I suppose that I can forgive a small lapse in gas mileage.
I believe the lower gas mileage has two culprits: a strong headwind on my way home and the car's heater being active. On the day when I didn't need the heater, Mera's gas mileage was considerably better. I have also noticed the wind more now that the trees are leafless.
I know that it seems strange that I'm complaining about gas mileage that is 40 mpg or higher, but I had come to expect much better. Considering how tight our finances have been, I also want more reasons to justify buying this more-expensive car. Saving money on gas was supposed to be one of the main reasons, but gas prices have been going down and now my gas mileage is going down.
I'm still glad that I purchased Mera. She has been my favorite out of the eight vehicles that we have owned. I suppose that I can forgive a small lapse in gas mileage.
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