After 5k mileage question

[tasker109]

our prius is now 4 months old and we have just around 7k mileage on it. we are still getting the same mpg as when it was bought, which is great of course. but we were anticipating an increase in mpg after 5k according to everyones advice on this forum. we have had no change in driving conditions or anything. basically the same route driven every day. is it still possible the mpg might go up at some point??

[ursle1]

air at 42-40
oil 3/4's full measuring with the dipstick
clean in cabin air filter
k&n air filter
pulse spark plugs
getting 57+

ymmv

[tasker109]

Originally Posted by ursle1

air at 42-40
oil 3/4's full measuring with the dipstick
clean in cabin air filter
k&n air filter
pulse spark plugs
getting 57+

ymmv

check on the tire air pressure....ill have to check the oil level, would the cabin air filter need cleaning already?, what does k&n air filter mean? pulse spark plugs?

[ursle1]

k&n is a company that makes air filters, you oil the element after cleaning it, lots of miles
pulstar be1 spark plugs
your cabin filter will be fine, I was suprised how dirty mine was, and how much smother the car ran after cleaning, much less drag on the electric system
dealers always overfill the oil

[snakeman]

Tasker,

You've also got to take into account that it's 4 months later. Seasonal variables change that could affect your mileage. A short list includes:

1. Number of other cars on the road during your drive and traffic speed
2. Ambient air temperature/humidity and effects on use of A/C
3. Weather (not as much of an issue in a dry summer, but rain/snow can really tank your MPG)
4. Road surface conditions - big one here in Boston. more potholes=less MPG
5. Your own personal driving habits can change almost imperceptibly over time
6. Amount of cargo floating around with you in the car. Prius owners (myself included) seem from these forums to have more gadgets in their cars than anyone I've ever known. Must be all those hidden storage spots.

All of these and more can vary over time and might cause a reduction in any slight MPG improvement due to the engine "breaking in" beyond the usual suspects like tire pressure and oil levels.

Some of these you can do something about, some you can't. But you can be aware of them so that you don't feel so bad. For example, these past two weeks my mileage tanked down to my all-time low of 42 MPG. I don't feel bad about that because it does coincide with a mini heatwave that had me cranking the AC to save myself and my battery (first time I heard the battery fan kick in like it means it); a number of short scattered trips that couldn't be avoided or combined; and 4 days of monsoon-like weather that saw me driving through pouring rain and much standing water. All that taken into account I'm impressed that I've done as well as I have.

Here's to hoping the next tank (filling up sometime next week) will be better.

[tasker109]

ok i just called around to try and find these spark plugs and nobody has even heard of them so i googled them. found some at amazon and you said the BE1 is for the prius......their drop down list thingy says that BE1 doesnt fit.

[tasker109]

thanks snakeman.....i can really appreciate the comment on A/C because we have had some WICKED hot temps here....hehe....my daughter lived in needham for 3 years and had to learn a new accent. she had lived in NC for 8 years!! the one that really flipped her dipper was "wooster" when the sign said worcester.....she called all excited one day when she figgered it out......

[F8L]

Originally Posted by tasker109

ok i just called around to try and find these spark plugs and nobody has even heard of them so i googled them. found some at amazon and you said the BE1 is for the prius......their drop down list thingy says that BE1 doesnt fit.

IMO don't purchase any new parts except regular maintenance items (filters etc.) I have not seen any quantifiable evidence that those spark plugs do anything beneficial to milage so I would wait until 60k+ before you even start to worry about that.

Look at some of the things Snakeman mentioned as well as that even in summer, if temps get really high, you will lose MPG due to the battery being hot.

[dparker]

Hi, this is the CEO of Enerpulse, the maker of Pulstar.

Tasker109, our application look up has BE1 listed for Prius and we regularly sell Pulstar for Priuses. It is one of our hottest selling applications. Generally we get between 5 and 8 % improvement in fuel economy. In a Prius that is 3 or 4 miles per gallon. Many people envy you. Let me know if you have any questions. Pulstar is new and not well understood. That's my job.

Cheers

[F8L]

Originally Posted by dparker

Hi, this is the CEO of Enerpulse, the maker of Pulstar.

Tasker109, our application look up has BE1 listed for Prius and we regularly sell Pulstar for Priuses. It is one of our hottest selling applications. Generally we get between 5 and 8 % improvement in fuel economy. In a Prius that is 3 or 4 miles per gallon. Many people envy you. Let me know if you have any questions. Pulstar is new and not well understood. That's my job.

Cheers

Has any non-biased 3rd party testing been completed to quantify these claims?