Issues after 1st oil change

barenakedbubba · 12-31-2007, 12:55 PM

A month ago, I had taken my Prius in to the dealer for it's first oil change. (I had a free coupon.) I've noticed that my MPGs have dropped slightly since getting the car back. (approx. 48 MPG to 45 MPG) And also, there have been a couple of times where I'm sitting stopped, and the gas motor starts, but it does not show on screen that it's charging the battery. In fact, once the battery was in the green zone when it happened. Is this something that's normal? Should I bring it back in to the dealer? (What could they have screwed up?) The only thing that I can think of is that it's been a little bit cooler than before my oil change. (I live in LA.) Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

NYPrius1 · 12-31-2007, 04:25 PM

I also had a drop in MPG from 54.5 to 51.2.
I saw they overfilled my oil and lowered my tire pressure from 42/40 to 32/34.
Hope This helps
As far as the battery etc. I haven't a clue.

N3FOL · 12-31-2007, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barenakedbubba

A month ago, I had taken my Prius in to the dealer for it's first oil change. (I had a free coupon.) I've noticed that my MPGs have dropped slightly since getting the car back. (approx. 48 MPG to 45 MPG) And also, there have been a couple of times where I'm sitting stopped, and the gas motor starts, but it does not show on screen that it's charging the battery. In fact, once the battery was in the green zone when it happened. Is this something that's normal? Should I bring it back in to the dealer? (What could they have screwed up?) The only thing that I can think of is that it's been a little bit cooler than before my oil change. (I live in LA.) Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

I've experienced the same thing with my Prius, but I do not worry too much about it. After a few minutes of driving, everything is indicated back to normal with a full charge on the batt. My MPG fluctuates from 46 down to 42 then up again to 45 MPG.

I plan to change my oil at 3K, since this is going to be my first. 2.2K so far on the odo. Enjoy your Prius.

paprius4030 · 12-31-2007, 10:48 PM

I believe the ICE will start but won't show a charge when the battery is in the green, it only starts for the heater, I bet if you shut the heater or A/C control off the ICE would have shut down.

beboyle · 01-01-2008, 03:07 PM

You don't say where you're located, but if you are in a place where cold weather started about a month ago, that's likely to be the biggest cause of your mileage reduction. Based on reports from many PriusChat members in colder climates, the mileage can drop significantly when the weather cools off.

That said, checking your tire pressure and oil level is a good idea anyway. There's some debate about how much effect too high an oil level will have, but low tire pressure has a very direct impact on MPG.

john1701a · 01-01-2008, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beboyle

Based on reports from many PriusChat members in colder climates, the mileage can drop significantly when the weather cools off.

Yup. Here in Minnesota, my efficiency has dropped all the way down to 44 MPG!

Sadly, that is actually down quite a bit from the low 50's I enjoy during the summer... but still way above most every other vehicle on the road.
.

Rae Vynn · 01-01-2008, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john1701a

Yup. Here in Minnesota, my efficiency has dropped all the way down to 44 MPG!

Sadly, that is actually down quite a bit from the low 50's I enjoy during the summer... but still way above most every other vehicle on the road.
.

This is what we console ourselves with, too.
The Prius is still getting double the MPG of our other car, even in winter

12-31-2007, 12:55 PM	#1
barenakedbubba Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Issues after 1st oil change A month ago, I had taken my Prius in to the dealer for it's first oil change. (I had a free coupon.) I've noticed that my MPGs have dropped slightly since getting the car back. (approx. 48 MPG to 45 MPG) And also, there have been a couple of times where I'm sitting stopped, and the gas motor starts, but it does not show on screen that it's charging the battery. In fact, once the battery was in the green zone when it happened. Is this something that's normal? Should I bring it back in to the dealer? (What could they have screwed up?) The only thing that I can think of is that it's been a little bit cooler than before my oil change. (I live in LA.) Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

12-31-2007, 04:25 PM	#2
NYPrius1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 693 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 32 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Issues after 1st oil change I also had a drop in MPG from 54.5 to 51.2. I saw they overfilled my oil and lowered my tire pressure from 42/40 to 32/34. Hope This helps As far as the battery etc. I haven't a clue.

12-31-2007, 10:48 PM	#4
paprius4030 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pocono's, Pa. Posts: 1,297 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 1	Re: Issues after 1st oil change I believe the ICE will start but won't show a charge when the battery is in the green, it only starts for the heater, I bet if you shut the heater or A/C control off the ICE would have shut down.

01-01-2008, 03:07 PM	#5
beboyle Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 34 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Issues after 1st oil change You don't say where you're located, but if you are in a place where cold weather started about a month ago, that's likely to be the biggest cause of your mileage reduction. Based on reports from many PriusChat members in colder climates, the mileage can drop significantly when the weather cools off. That said, checking your tire pressure and oil level is a good idea anyway. There's some debate about how much effect too high an oil level will have, but low tire pressure has a very direct impact on MPG.