Computer flash and MPG

Frank Hudon · 04-17-2005, 02:21 PM

the long story is that I bought a 2k3 Prius for the better mileage compared to the wifes at that time new 2k4 Prius. When she first got the new Prius we were both shocked at the poor mileage compared to her 2k1 Prius, so took it back to the dealer and he said drive it for a while so we did but it was still the pitts. As you can see by my sig that even my best tank was better than her best tank. Her car has consistently made about 7.46Liter per hundred km. ,37.8 mpg Imperial, 31,5 mpg US gallon. So about 3 months ago we finally got the notice for the SSC40D (US TSB)/SABB-403-1A (Canadian TSB#) made an appt with the desk jockey at the dealer who informed us that they had done lots of them, so took the car in and they tried to flash the computers but the HV computer wouldn't take the flash and after conferring with Toyota decided that a replacement was in order. Installed about 3 days later and on we went. First thing noticeable is that the car went into S4 way earlier than before. When I say way I mean we were both shocked the first time we were about 9 blocks from home and the ICE stopped at the stop light. Both looked at each other and said "hmmmm what's with that". Now after two tanks of fuel and in the same type of operation as always. the mileage has improved to 5.77 Liter per hundred km., 48.9 mpg Imperial gallon, 40.76 US gallon. Now this might seem low but for the type of drive that she does with the car it's within spitting distance of what the 2k1 did on the same drive. The car is a very early build Prius, October 2k3 build date and the question is has anybody else noticed that their early build Prius has gotten a mileage boost with the SSC40D flash?

Russ Yost · 04-17-2005, 03:06 PM

I've had no "flash", but am getting 40 miles per us gal in Phoenix, using automatic air-conditioning, with my march 2005 Prius. Short neighborhood trips (less than 400 miles since 6 March!).

DaveinOlyWA · 04-19-2005, 01:04 PM

your 2005 Prius would have been updated. this would only be for the earlier 2004's

but Frank, that is great info and should be added to the FAQ's

DanMan32 · 04-21-2005, 09:40 AM

I think the latest recalibration was in October 04.

Frank Hudon · 04-21-2005, 08:09 PM

Dan the Canadian flash will be totally different from the US as the car is calibrated in Liter per Hundred Kilometer readout on the MFD, temp in C, distance in KM, speed can flop, but is different than US model. I think that is why it took Toyota about an extra 4 months after the SSC 40 D was released before the CDN version SABB 403 1A arrived at the dealers.

DanMan32 · 04-22-2005, 11:27 AM

I don't think that's what the 'calibration' does. The calibration has no effect on user display, other than altering the function of the ICE. I believe it was the initial fuel table formula based on environmental conditions, and tolerances before error. What you are seeing is strictly MFD and Combination Meter functions that the calibration doesn't touch.

Frank Hudon · 04-22-2005, 01:08 PM

the SSC40D was the flash to make the car OBD11 compliant and this was an issue with the ICE computer and also to address some small issues with the operation of the Hybrid Vehicle computer which is the computer that was changed on her car. The OBD11 part has all the operating parameters, fuel consumption, speed, temps for the air intake, ambient, ICE, MG's and also throttle position and all associated error codes and their triggers. It wasn't just a CAN issue the early cars were not sent to NA with the OBD11 part of the programing there on the CAN. It was only available with the THHT. My question is/was has anyone noticed an increase in milege after the SSC40D flash on a early build 2k4, say between Oct 2k3 and Jan 2k4.

DanMan32 · 04-22-2005, 01:32 PM

Rick did mention a change in MPG. The latest calibration seemed to give a happy medium from MPG and MIL.

ryogajyc · 04-22-2005, 09:03 PM

Pardon my ignorance, but what's MIL?

Frank Hudon · 04-22-2005, 09:27 PM

malfunction indicator light. Check engine light, what ever you want to call it.

04-17-2005, 02:21 PM	#1
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Computer flash and MPG the long story is that I bought a 2k3 Prius for the better mileage compared to the wifes at that time new 2k4 Prius. When she first got the new Prius we were both shocked at the poor mileage compared to her 2k1 Prius, so took it back to the dealer and he said drive it for a while so we did but it was still the pitts. As you can see by my sig that even my best tank was better than her best tank. Her car has consistently made about 7.46Liter per hundred km. ,37.8 mpg Imperial, 31,5 mpg US gallon. So about 3 months ago we finally got the notice for the SSC40D (US TSB)/SABB-403-1A (Canadian TSB#) made an appt with the desk jockey at the dealer who informed us that they had done lots of them, so took the car in and they tried to flash the computers but the HV computer wouldn't take the flash and after conferring with Toyota decided that a replacement was in order. Installed about 3 days later and on we went. First thing noticeable is that the car went into S4 way earlier than before. When I say way I mean we were both shocked the first time we were about 9 blocks from home and the ICE stopped at the stop light. Both looked at each other and said "hmmmm what's with that". Now after two tanks of fuel and in the same type of operation as always. the mileage has improved to 5.77 Liter per hundred km., 48.9 mpg Imperial gallon, 40.76 US gallon. Now this might seem low but for the type of drive that she does with the car it's within spitting distance of what the 2k1 did on the same drive. The car is a very early build Prius, October 2k3 build date and the question is has anybody else noticed that their early build Prius has gotten a mileage boost with the SSC40D flash? __________________ You can quote me on this, People who drive vehicles that idle at a traffic light, are idiots. mine 2k3 avg. 5.36 for 46,915Km Best tank 4.4L per 100K 64.2 Imperial 53.4 U.S. gallon, MiniScanner, SilverStars, block heater, winter lips, in as of Oct 15, out on April 25. In again on Sept. 21st. her's 2k4 "B" avg. 6.01 for 42,317 Km Best tank 4.02L per 100K, CAN-view with OBD11 module and flashloader, SilverStars, 06 Chrome grill bar, Michelin HydroEdge, upper and lower grill blocker,upper out as of April 7, lower out on April 28. In again on Sept 21st.

04-22-2005, 09:03 PM	#9
ryogajyc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Reseda, CA Posts: 251 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Computer flash and MPG Pardon my ignorance, but what's MIL?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
flash backs	barbaram	Fred's House of Pancakes	1	06-10-2007 12:29 AM
Fun with flash animations	galaxee	Fred's House of Pancakes	15	09-03-2006 08:31 PM
Prius Flash	john1701a	Prius Main Forum	4	04-13-2006 08:55 AM
Headlight Flash EV Mod	kdmorse	Prius Modifications	22	03-23-2006 05:21 PM
Car Shuttering and the TSB ECU flash	hdrygas	Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	2	02-02-2006 09:06 AM

04-17-2005, 03:06 PM	#2
Russ Yost Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 62 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've had no "flash", but am getting 40 miles per us gal in Phoenix, using automatic air-conditioning, with my march 2005 Prius. Short neighborhood trips (less than 400 miles since 6 March!).

04-19-2005, 01:04 PM	#3
DaveinOlyWA Opps !! I Did it Again!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 9,378 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	your 2005 Prius would have been updated. this would only be for the earlier 2004's but Frank, that is great info and should be added to the FAQ's

04-21-2005, 09:40 AM	#4
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think the latest recalibration was in October 04.

04-21-2005, 08:09 PM	#5
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Dan the Canadian flash will be totally different from the US as the car is calibrated in Liter per Hundred Kilometer readout on the MFD, temp in C, distance in KM, speed can flop, but is different than US model. I think that is why it took Toyota about an extra 4 months after the SSC 40 D was released before the CDN version SABB 403 1A arrived at the dealers.

04-22-2005, 11:27 AM	#6
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't think that's what the 'calibration' does. The calibration has no effect on user display, other than altering the function of the ICE. I believe it was the initial fuel table formula based on environmental conditions, and tolerances before error. What you are seeing is strictly MFD and Combination Meter functions that the calibration doesn't touch.

04-22-2005, 01:08 PM	#7
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	the SSC40D was the flash to make the car OBD11 compliant and this was an issue with the ICE computer and also to address some small issues with the operation of the Hybrid Vehicle computer which is the computer that was changed on her car. The OBD11 part has all the operating parameters, fuel consumption, speed, temps for the air intake, ambient, ICE, MG's and also throttle position and all associated error codes and their triggers. It wasn't just a CAN issue the early cars were not sent to NA with the OBD11 part of the programing there on the CAN. It was only available with the THHT. My question is/was has anyone noticed an increase in milege after the SSC40D flash on a early build 2k4, say between Oct 2k3 and Jan 2k4.

04-22-2005, 01:32 PM	#8
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Rick did mention a change in MPG. The latest calibration seemed to give a happy medium from MPG and MIL.

04-22-2005, 09:27 PM	#10
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	malfunction indicator light. Check engine light, what ever you want to call it.