Bait and switch?

sierrasig · 07-10-2008, 05:13 PM

I just purchase a 2008 Prius (package 5) after waiting in line for a month for the car. I had rented a 2006 Prius from the dealer for several days to make sure I was really happy with the car and brought it home content. I had driven 200 miles of mixed highway and stop and go driving and used 4 gallons of gas (the indicator showed 48MPG).

I have my new car and I am struggling to get 40MPG under the same circumstances, same settings etc.

I note that unlike the rental, the car very rarely operates from the battery and also that the battery never fully recharges- it is at about 2/3 full.

I called the dealer and he just said drive it 1000 miles and perhaps it will get better.

Is there a chance that there is something different about the car- or is there something wrong with the first couple hundred miles driven?

sleonardelli · 07-10-2008, 05:20 PM

My mpg didn't really improve until I got my first oil change (synthetic) and had them increase the nitrogen in my tires (42/40). Check your tire pressure.

qbee42 · 07-10-2008, 05:20 PM

The dealer is correct. The battery should stay about 2/3rds charged, except under special circumstances. Likewise, your mileage will improve as you Prius breaks in. Give it a little time.

Tom

sierrasig · 07-10-2008, 05:25 PM

thank you both for your suggestions! I will be less paranoid about the battery and will check with the dealer about the tire inflation. Patience.... never been good at that, but will work on it!

Godiva · 07-10-2008, 05:49 PM

There is a break in period. Just be patient.

F8L · 07-10-2008, 06:04 PM

Like stated above, give it some time.

If you are truely worried I can stop by on my way home (I commute through Davis) and we can test drive it on the backroads I use for max milage. Road 27 and Pedrick Road work well for that sort of thing.

PearlDriver · 07-10-2008, 07:17 PM

Check the oil level and make sure defrosters are off.

icarus · 07-10-2008, 08:25 PM

Adjust the tire pressure as per Prius chat. Look in to grill blocking, even partially in warm climates/weather. I find that my car with the grill unblocked takes ~20 miles just to get to NORMAL temp, and the fuel mileage begins to go up. (In warm weather) With the grill blocked in cooler weather it still takes the 20 miles!

Icarus

PS. Buy a scan gauge here to monitor temps. You will see a direct link between temps and mpg!

**TonyPSchaefer** · 07-10-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sierrasig

thank you both for your suggestions! I will be less paranoid about the battery and will check with the dealer about the tire inflation. Patience.... never been good at that, but will work on it!

Please check the mileage link in my signature. You will see that for the first, what, 9 months I never broke 50mpg. This summer I've already had one 71mpg tank and am currently working on my second. There is a break-in period: both for you and the car. Don't worry about it.

Sheepdog · 07-13-2008, 10:18 PM

most sales men are sharks and not to be trusted but the car itself is very sound and very well made.

Relax. You bought the finest car made of it's type! at any price!

07-10-2008, 05:13 PM	#1
sierrasig Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 5 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Bait and switch? I just purchase a 2008 Prius (package 5) after waiting in line for a month for the car. I had rented a 2006 Prius from the dealer for several days to make sure I was really happy with the car and brought it home content. I had driven 200 miles of mixed highway and stop and go driving and used 4 gallons of gas (the indicator showed 48MPG). I have my new car and I am struggling to get 40MPG under the same circumstances, same settings etc. I note that unlike the rental, the car very rarely operates from the battery and also that the battery never fully recharges- it is at about 2/3 full. I called the dealer and he just said drive it 1000 miles and perhaps it will get better. Is there a chance that there is something different about the car- or is there something wrong with the first couple hundred miles driven?

07-10-2008, 05:20 PM	#2
sleonardelli Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ruskin Fl Posts: 141 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Bait and switch? My mpg didn't really improve until I got my first oil change (synthetic) and had them increase the nitrogen in my tires (42/40). Check your tire pressure.

07-10-2008, 05:20 PM	#3
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 12,311 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 367 Thanked 835 Times in 608 Posts Friends: 14	Re: Bait and switch? The dealer is correct. The battery should stay about 2/3rds charged, except under special circumstances. Likewise, your mileage will improve as you Prius breaks in. Give it a little time. Tom

07-10-2008, 05:25 PM	#4
sierrasig Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Davis, CA Posts: 5 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Bait and switch? thank you both for your suggestions! I will be less paranoid about the battery and will check with the dealer about the tire inflation. Patience.... never been good at that, but will work on it!

07-10-2008, 05:49 PM	#5
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,340 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 7	Re: Bait and switch? There is a break in period. Just be patient.

07-10-2008, 06:04 PM	#6
F8L Collecting Data on Nature Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA. Posts: 6,380 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 84 Thanked 395 Times in 259 Posts Friends: 36	Re: Bait and switch? Like stated above, give it some time. If you are truely worried I can stop by on my way home (I commute through Davis) and we can test drive it on the backroads I use for max milage. Road 27 and Pedrick Road work well for that sort of thing.

07-10-2008, 07:17 PM	#7
PearlDriver Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Snohomish, WA Posts: 74 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Bait and switch? Check the oil level and make sure defrosters are off.

07-10-2008, 08:25 PM	#8
icarus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: quetico, on/bellingham, wa Posts: 1,940 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 133 Thanked 172 Times in 122 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Bait and switch? Adjust the tire pressure as per Prius chat. Look in to grill blocking, even partially in warm climates/weather. I find that my car with the grill unblocked takes ~20 miles just to get to NORMAL temp, and the fuel mileage begins to go up. (In warm weather) With the grill blocked in cooler weather it still takes the 20 miles! Icarus PS. Buy a scan gauge here to monitor temps. You will see a direct link between temps and mpg!

07-13-2008, 10:18 PM	#10
Sheepdog C'Mere Sheepie! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sanford FLorida Posts: 1,071 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 7	Re: Bait and switch? most sales men are sharks and not to be trusted but the car itself is very sound and very well made. Relax. You bought the finest car made of it's type! at any price!

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